Becoming Beyoncé
Page 55
Also, in writing about a family as private as the Knowleses, a biographer such as myself will encounter many sources who would like to speak, but not for attribution. I have learned over the years that sometimes anonymity is important. Though I would prefer that all of my sources be acknowledged by name, it’s not a reasonable or practical expectation. Therefore, when a source of mine or of one of my researchers asks for anonymity, I always grant the request.
The following source acknowledgments and extraneous notes are by no means meant to be comprehensive. Rather, they are only intended to give the reader a general overview of the kind of research that went into the writing of this book.
Prologue
Interviews: AlexSandra Wright (November 20, 2014); Harvey Walden (December 1, 2014); David L. Ingram (December 11, 2014).
Legal: “Summons and Notice of Hearing in Paternity Proceedings, re: AlexSandra Wright, Petitioner v. Mathew Knowles, Respondent,” October 2, 2009; “Petition & Complaint,” October 2, 2009; “Proof of Service”—Wright v. Knowles, LASC Case No. BF 037735; “Mathew Knowles, Called as a Witness on His Own Behalf . . . ,” Wright v. Knowles, LASC Case No. BF 037735, January 14, 2014.
Articles: “Beyoncé’s Dad Slapped with Paternity Suit,” TMZ.com, October 2, 2009; “Mathew Knowles Scandal: Beyoncé Daddy Is Baby Daddy to ‘Scrubs’ Guest AlexSandra Wright, Says Suit,” by Sammy Saltsman, CBS News, October 5, 2009; “Paternity Test Confirms Beyoncé’s Dad a Dad Again,” by Blane Bachelor, People, March 25, 2010; “Beyoncé Accepts Billboard’s Woman of the Year Award,” Billboard, October 5, 2009; “Beyoncé Keeps Smiling Despite Her Father’s Paternity Suit” (no byline), Popsugar.com; “Beyoncé: The Billboard Cover Story,” by Gail Mitchell, Billboard, October 1, 2009; “Beyoncé Is Billboard’s Woman of the Year,” by Mariel Concepcion, Billboard, August 25, 2009; “Beyoncé’s Dad Has a Love Child,” Indian Express, March 25, 2010; “Mathew Knowles’ Ex-Mistress Apologizes to Beyoncé, Tina and Solange,” by Jasmine Denise Rogers, Madame Noire, March 2014.
Media: Beyoncé’s speech at the Billboard Women in Music event, October 2, 2009; Q&A with Beyoncé at Billboard awards presentation, October 2, 2009.
Part One: Tina & Mathew
Interviews: Darryl Dunn, July 3, 2014; Bea Thomas, July 8, 2014; AlexSandra Wright, December 10, 2014; Chester Maddox, July 1, 2014; Denise Watkins, November 12, 2014; Deborah Laday, August 15, 2014; Denise Seals, September 13, 2014; Nina Taylor Hawkins, September 25, 2014; Nicki Taylor Lane, October 2, 2014; Brian “Kenny” Moore, July 13, July 26, August 2, August 10, August 15, 2014; Pat Felton, September 15, September 26, October 5, 2014; LaTavia Roberson, January 18, 2015; Lornanda “To-to” Brown, July 30, August 1, September 15, 2014; Belfrey Brown, July 26, 2015; Harlon “Keith” Bell, July 30, 2014; Alonzo “Lonnie” Jackson, July 14, July 16, July 22, July 23, August 29, September 6, 2014; Cindy Pack, June 16, 2014; Steven White, June 1, July 3, July 20, 2014; Thomas Eric Edmond, December 4, 2014, December 5, 2014, December 6, 2014; Kerry Knowles, June 15, 2014; Scherrie Wright, May 1, June 5, September 3, 2014; Anthony “Tony Mo.” Moore, July 17, November 9, November 12, 2014; Armon Tillman, September 9, September 23, 2014; Arne Frager, July 7, 2014; Christopher Lovett, September 5, September 10, 2014; Florence Bowers, June 13, 2014.
Legal: “Affidavit of Beyoncé G. Knowles,” July 3, 2001; “Affidavit of Beyoncé G. Knowles,” September 5, 2001; “Affidavit of Beyoncé G. Knowles,” February 1, 2002; “Affidavit of Beyoncé G. Knowles,” March 28, 2002; “Deposition of Beyoncé Giselle Knowles,” November 20, 2001; “Deposition of Mathew Knowles,” January 29, 2002; “Deposition of Christopher Tillman,” March 21, 2002; “Deposition of Celestine Knowles,” March 22, March 28, 2002; “Deposition of Alonzo Jackson,” April 21, 2002; “Deposition of Taura Stinson,” April 24, 2002; “Deposition of Kelendria Rowland,” December 18, 2001; “Deposition of Armon Tillman,” March 20, 2002; “Deposition of Christopher Tillman,” March 21, 2002; “Beyoncé Giselle Knowles—Answers to Interrogatories,” November 1, 2001; “Mathew Knowles—Answers to Interrogatories,” November 12, 2001; “Celestine Knowles—Answers to Interrogatories,” November 15, 2001; “Kelendria Rowland—Answers to Interrogatories,” November 1, 2001; “LaTavia Roberson—Answers to Interrogatories,” November 15, 2001; “LeToya Luckett—Answers to Interrogatories,” November 1, 2001; “Beyoncé Giselle Knowles—Answers to Second Set of Interrogatories,” November 18, 2001; “Beyoncé Giselle Knowles—Answers to Interrogatories,” November 1, 2001; “Armon Tillman—Answers to Interrogatories,” December 10, 2001; “Christopher Tillman—Answers to Interrogatories,” December 10, 2001.
Media: “Mathew Knowles on Fatherhood and Beyoncé,” interview with Tony Cox, National Public Radio, November 27, 2006; Tina Knowles, Keynote Speech, Women & Money Leadership Luncheon, October 2, 2014; Tina Knowles, interview on Good Day New York, May 8, 2012; Beyoncé Knowles performing at the Sammy Awards, 1988; “Pretty Hurts,” Beyoncé music video, 2014; interview with Beyoncé (to promote Beyoncé CD), YouTube, December 2014; Driven: Beyoncé, VH1; Before They Were Stars: Destiny’s Child, VH1; Tina Knowles Oral History, Living Archives, University of Houston, October 3, 2011; Girls Tyme’s performance on Star Search, February 1992; “Just for Me—Pro-Line Hair Products,” LaTavia Roberson commercial; LaTavia Roberson interview, Arise Entertainment 360, May 2014; LaTavia Roberson interview, Madame Noire, May 2014.
Volumes: The Making of a Child of Destiny: The Andretta Tillman Story, by Brian Kenneth Moore; Destiny’s Style, by Tina Knowles; Soul Survivors, by Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams with James Patrick Herman.
Articles: “Big Boy Always There,” by George Butler, Gadsden Times, December 31, 1972; “Yes and No,” Gadsden Times, September 7, 2001; Gadsden High School Yearbook, 1970; “The Untold Story of How Tina and Mathew Knowles Created the Destiny’s Child Goldmine,” by Lynn Norment, Ebony, September 2001; “Mathew Knowles Sister 2 Sister Interview,” by Jamie Foster Brown, Sister 2 Sister, October 14, 2010; “Music Mogul Mathew Knowles Visits His Hometown,” by Matthew Martin, Gadsden Times, August 22, 2010; “Tina Knowles Talks About Life, Love at Women’s Luncheon,” by Joy Sewing, Houston Chronicle, October 3, 2014; “Mother Mastermind: 5 Lessons on Career and Leadership from Tina Knowles,” by Courtney Connley, Black Enterprise, October 8, 2014; “Tina Knowles Opens Up About Dating and Life After Mathew Knowles,” Huffington Post, Black Voices, October 7, 2014; “Beyoncé: A Woman Possessed,” by Touré, Rolling Stone, March 4, 2004; “Meet the People Behind Beyoncé,” Out.com, April 8, 2014; “Miss Millennium: Beyoncé,” by Amy Wallace, GQ, February 2013; “Beyoncé’s Dad Blows Millions on Drugs and Hookers—Charges Lawsuit; Mathew Knowles Interview: ‘I Was a Sex Addict’ he tells, Star,” Star, February 12, 2002; “It’s a Family Affair,” by Michael Hall, Texas Monthly, April 2004; “Our View: Getting Back to His Roots” (no byline), Gadsden Times, August 23, 2010; “Q & A: Mathew Knowles,” SoulTrain.com, July 18, 2014; “How Would Kelly Rowland Fare on ‘X-Factor’?,” by Paulette Cohn, American Profile.com, October 29, 2013; “Beyoncé Instagrams Photographs of her Grandparents,” by Hannah Ongley, Styleite.com, October 3, 2013; obituary of Albert Lumus Beyincé, Galveston County Daily News, August 12, 1982; obituary of Father Gerard R. Joubert, Holy Rosary Catholic Church Newsletter; obituary of Agnez Buyincé, Galveston County Daily News (no date); LaTavia Roberson: I Want to Make a Musical Comeback,” Brown Sista, July 17, 2006; “Manifest Destiny,” by Cheryl Lu-Lien, Baltimore Sun, September 19, 2000; “Prairie View Today,” by Frederick V. Roberts, Esq., YourHoustonNews.com, November 21, 2010.
Part Two: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
Interviews: Dawn “Sha Sha” Daniels, July 7, 2014; Anthony “Tony Mo.” Moore, July 17, November 9, November 12, 2014; Nicki Taylor Lane, October 2, 2014; Nina Taylor Hawkins, September 26, 2014; Daryl Simmons, July 29, 2014; Lyndall Locke, June 21, June 24, June 25, August 4, August 22, September 8, October 5, 2014; Belfrey Brown, July 26, 2014; Cholotte Taylor Ingram, September 27, 2014; Pat F
elton, September 15, September 26, October 5, 2014; Lydia Locke, June 24, 2014; Tony Scott, August 3, December 4, 2014; Smokey Thomas, June 3, August 4, December 11, 2014; Delores DeHaven, May 5, June 1, July 3, 2014; Brian “Kenny” Moore, July 13, July 26, August 2, August 10, August 15, 2014; Bonnie Lee, October 22, 2014; D’Wayne Wiggins, July 23, 2014; LaTavia Roberson, January 18, 2015; Lornanda “To-to” Brown, July 30, August 1, September 15, 2014; Christopher Tillman, October 2, October 9, 2014; Kerry Knowles, June 15, 2014; Scherrie Wright, May 1, June 5, September 3, 2014.
Legal: Public records showing tax liens on the Knowles property, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995; correspondence from Mathew Knowles to Warren Fitzgerald, October 4, October 7, 1993; miscellaneous documents relating to Andretta Tillman’s bankruptcy filing, June 3, 1994; miscellaneous documents relating to Mathew and Tina Knowles’s bankruptcy, June 7, 1994; deed to Knowles property at 3346 Parkwood Drive, Houston; tax lien assessed against the Knowleses, March 30, 1995; public records ownership history of 3346 Parkwood Drive, Houston; public records relating to the purchase of property at 27 Swan Isle Boulevard, Missouri City, by Mathew and Tina Knowles; public records relating to all owners of 8207 Braes Meadow Drive, Houston; “Beyoncé Giselle Knowles—Answers to Interrogatories,” November 1, 2001; “Beyoncé Giselle Knowles—Answers to Second Set of Interrogatories,” November 18, 2001; “AFFIDAVIT of Pamela Luckett,” November 25, 1998; “AFFIDAVIT of LeToya Luckett,” November 25, 1998.
Contracts: Agreement between Andretta Tillman and Mathew Knowles pertaining to Ashley Tamar Davis stipulating that the two will share equally any monies derived by any management contract Andretta may enter into with Ashley, and that “Mathew Knowles agrees to total confidentiality of this agreement,” January 3, 1993; “Agreement” between Silent Partner Productions and Beyoncé Knowles, LaTavia Roberson, Kelendria Rowland, and LeToya Luckett (collectively known as Somethin’ Fresh), June 11, 1993; four separate “Personal Management Contracts” between Andretta Tillman and Mathew Knowles with Beyoncé Knowles, Kelendria Rowland, and LaTavia Roberson, each one dated January 3, 1993; “Personal Management Contract” between Andretta Tillman and Mathew Knowles and LeToya Nicole Luckett, February 11, 1993; “Addendum to Personal Management Contract” between Andretta Tillman and Mathew Knowles with Beyoncé Knowles, LaTavia Roberson, Kelendria Rowland, and LeToya Luckett (Professionally Known as the Dolls), June 1994; “Addendum” to personal management contract dated January 3, 1994; “Personal Management Agreement” between Andretta Tillman and Mathew Knowles with Beyoncé Knowles, LaTavia Robertson [sic], Kelendria Rowland, and LeToya Luckett (collectively known as Destiny), January 23, 1995; “Personal Management Agreement” between Mathew Knowles and Beyoncé Knowles, LaTavia Roberson, Kelendria Rowland, and LeToya Luckett (collectively known as Destiny’s Child), June 9, 1997; “Personal Management Agreement” between Mathew Knowles and Beyoncé Knowles, Kelendria Rowland, Farrah Franklin, and Tenitra Michelle Williams (collectively known as Destiny’s Child), February 13, 2000.
Correspondence: Between Warren Fitzgerald and Mathew Knowles relating to LeToya Luckett, October 5, October 6 (“We simply will not run our organization in fear,” Knowles wrote relating to his and Andretta Tillman’s ongoing negotiations with Pamela and LeToya Luckett, “nor will exceptions be made regarding our management contract. Three of the members of this group have given up a combined seven years of youth, one member a national TV commercial [presumably LaTavia] and the other a solo singing career [presumably Beyoncé] for the group Somethin’ Fresh, which is based on teamwork”), October 10, October 15, and November 5, 1993; correspondence between Andretta Tillman and Arne Frager, September 12, October 19, November 8, and December 5, 1992.
Media: Driven: Beyoncé Knowles, VH1; Before They Were Stars: Destiny’s Child; Tina Knowles, Keynote Speech, Women & Money Leadership Luncheon, October 2, 2014; Boulevard of Broken Dreams: Destiny’s Child, E!, 2007.
Volumes: The Making of a Child of Destiny: The Andretta Tillman Story, by Brian Kenneth Moore; Destiny’s Style, by Tina Knowles; Soul Survivors, by Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams with James Patrick Herman.
Articles: “Mathew Knowles Sister 2 Sister Interview,” by Jamie Foster Brown, Sister 2 Sister, October 14, 2010; “Tina Knowles Makes Fashion Choices,” by Samantha Critchell, Associated Press, November 9, 2002; “Success Story—Destiny’s Child,” Hit Quarters, February 2, 2002; “Beyoncé’s Dad Used to Make Kelly Rowland Cry,” Mirror.co.uk, October 2, 2011; “Destiny’s Child(ren)—Where Are They Now?,” by Tracy Scott, Houston Chronicle, September 7, 2011; “Beyoncé: The Billboard Cover Story,” by Gail Mitchell, Billboard, October 1, 2009.
Part Three: Destiny’s Child
Interviews: Jan Stewart-Langley, October 21, 2014; Taura Stinson, October 15, October 18, November 21, 2014; D’Wayne Wiggins, July 23, 2014; Lyndall Locke, June 20, June 21, June 22, June 24, 2014; Rob “8Bit” Fusari, September 18, 2014; Anthony “Tony Mo.” Moore, July 17, 2014; Pat Felton, September 15, September 26, October 5, 2014; LaTavia Roberson, January 18, 2015; Lornanda “To-to” Brown, July 30, August 1, September 15, 2014; Nicki Taylor Lane, October 2, 2014; Nina Taylor Hawkins, September 25, September 26, 2014; Christopher Tillman, October 2, October 9, 2014; Bea Thomas, July 8, August 15, October 15, 2015; Armon Tillman, September 9, September 23, 2014; Alonzo Jackson, July 14, July 16, July 22, July 23, August 29, 2014; Jeff Harvey, June 26, 2014; Mavis Miller-Gunther, July 2, 2014; Tony Scott, August 3, December 4, 2014; Smokey Thomas, June 3, August 4, December 11, 2014; Delores DeHaven, May 5, June 1, July 3, 2014; Reggie Wells, December 7, 2014; Chad Elliott, December 21, 2014; Kim Wood Sandusky, September 11, 2014; Dan Workman, August 27, 2014; Daryl Simmons, July 29, 2014; Yvonne Boyd, November 12, 2014.
Legal: Various deal memos relating to Destiny’s Child contract with Columbia/Sony; Destiny’s Child (individual group member) contracts with Columbia/Sony dated December 5, 1995; income tax statements from Mathew and Celestine Knowles included as exhibits in Tillman v. Beyoncé et al.; “Seizure of Savings Account Notice,” March 1998; public records relating to the purchase by Celestine Knowles of property at 8207 Braes Meadow Drive, December 5, 1997; “Affidavit of Beyoncé G. Knowles,” July 3, 2001; “Affidavit of Beyoncé G. Knowles,” September 5, 2001; “Affidavit of Beyoncé G. Knowles,” February 1, 2002; “Affidavit of Beyoncé G. Knowles,” March 28, 2002; “Deposition of Beyoncé Giselle Knowles,” November 20, 2001; “Deposition of Mathew Knowles,” January 29, 2002; “Deposition of Christopher Tillman,” March 21, 2002; “Deposition of Celestine Knowles,” March 22, 2002, March 28, 2002; “Deposition of Alonzo Jackson,” April 21, 2002; “Deposition of Taura Stinson,” April 24, 2002; “Deposition of Kelendria Rowland,” December 18, 2001; “Deposition of Armon Tillman,” March 20, 2002; “Deposition of Christopher Tillman,” March 21, 2002; individual contracts for Tenitra Williams and Farrah Franklin with Music World, February 18, 2000; LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett v. Mathew Knowles et al. March 21, 2000; “Kelendria Rowland—Answers to Interrogatories,” November 1, 2001; “LaTavia Roberson—Answers to Interrogatories,” November 15, 2001; “LeToya Luckett—Answers to Interrogatories.” November 15. 2001.
Correspondence: From Beyoncé to LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson (undated); from Beyoncé to Don Ienner relating to her leaving Destiny’s Child, January 7, 2000; between Pamela Luckett and Mathew Knowles relating to LeToya Luckett, February 23, 1997; between Pamela Luckett and Mathew Knowles, February 21, 1997.
Note: We also referenced Music World’s accounting of monies spent on Destiny’s Child during the Farrah Franklin months, including, as noted in the document, twenty-four vocal lessons for both Farrah and Michelle at $75 each and twelve “group therapy” sessions at $250 each. Considering that Farrah was only in the group for about twenty months, it would seem that they were seeing a “therapist” every other week.
Media: Driven: Beyoncé Knowles, VH1; Before They Were Stars: Destiny’s Child,” clip of Destiny’s Child winni
ng Soul Train Award, 1998; Life is But a Dream; ; Destiny’s Child on Cribs, 2001; Tina Knowles interview, The Monique Show, December 14, 2010; Tina Knowles, Keynote Speech, Women & Money Leadership Luncheon, October 2, 2014; Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Destiny’s Child, E!, 2007; “Former Destiny’s Child LaTavia Roberson: ‘Beyoncé and I Were Almost a Vocal Duo,’ ” by Chris Witherspoon, The Grio May 7, 2014; “Former Destiny’s Child Member Says She Was Molested at 7-Years-Old,” by Chris Witherspoon, The Grio, May 17, 2014; LaTavia Roberson interview, Wendy: The Wendy Williams Show, May 5, 2014; The Unauthorized Biography of Beyoncé: Baby and Beyond (documentary); Beyoncé: Fierce and Fabulous (documentary); Live at Roseland: Elements of 4 (concert film, 2011).
Volumes: The Making of a Child of Destiny: The Andretta Tillman Story, by Brian Kenneth Moore; Destiny’s Style, by Tina Knowles; Soul Survivors, by Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams with James Patrick Herman.
Articles: “Destined for Greatness,” by Michael D. Clark, Houston Chronicle, February 11, 2001; “Divas Live!” by Lola Ogunnaike, Vibe, February, 2001; “Meet the People Behind Beyoncé,” Out.com, April 8, 2014; “Destiny’s Child,” Launch, May 2002; “Destiny’s Child,” World Pop, July 2001; “Destiny’s Child—Reunited and It Feels So Good,” VH1 (no date); “Beyoncé Unwrapped,” Teen Hollywood, August 10, 2003; “Beyoncé’s Publicist Talks Destiny’s Child’s Early Days,” by Shenequa A. Golding, Vibe, September 25, 2014; “Wyclef Jean,” by Sarah Benzuly, Mix, August 1, 2003; “Fashion: Beyoncé Knowles’ Mom Brings Creativity to Costumes and Glamour to Destiny Child’s Image,” by Linda Gillan Griffin, Houston Chronicle, June 24, 2001; “Ex-Destiny’s Child Members Say Their Name Is Angel,” by Teri Vanhorn, MTV News, March 5, 2001; “Destiny’s Child in Hot Water over ‘Survivor,’ ” Associated Press, March 2002; “Miss Millennium: Beyoncé,” by Amy Wallace, GQ, February 2013; “Beyoncé’s Heartbreak Single, ‘Ring Off,’ ” by Kirthana Ramisetti, New York Daily News, November 20, 2014; “The Business of Beyoncé,” by Christina Pazzanese, Harvard Gazette, September 24, 2014; “Sexy, Seductive Beyoncé Goes Lovey-Dovey Maternal,” by Sara Taylor, Fishwrapper, November 21, 2014; “Stream Beyoncé’s Newly-Leaked Singles,” by Brennan Carley, Spin, November 20, 2014; “The Top-Earning Women in Music 2014,” by Zack O’Malley, Forbes, November 24, 2014; “Reuniting Beyoncé and Kelly on ‘Say Yes’ Was Always the Plan, Michelle Williams Says,” by Nadeska Alexis, MTV.com, June 24, 2014.