Becoming Beyoncé
Page 57
Media: Beyoncé appearances on The View, April 23, 2009, and July 28, 2011; Today, April 23, 2009; Oprah, February 2013; “Mathew Knowles on Fatherhood and Beyoncé,” NPR, November 27, 2006; Mathew Knowles on The Madd Hatta Morning Show, September 11, 2014; AlexSandra Wright interview with Jim Moret, Inside Edition, February 2014; “Tina Knowles Life Story Added to ‘Living Archives’ at University of Houston,” by Mommy Brown, Mommybrown.com, October 10, 2011; Tina Knowles appearance on The Early Show, November, 2009; Tina Knowles appearance on Good Day New York, May 8, 2012; Tina Knowles, Keynote Speech, Women & Money Leadership Luncheon, October 2, 2014; “CNN Special: Beyoncé Finding Her Way,” February 9, 2013; Life Is but a Dream (Beyoncé documentary), 2014; Beyoncé interview on 60 Minutes, CBS-TV, January 2010; Yours and Mine video by Beyoncé (YouTube), December 12, 2014; Beyoncé: The Beyoncé Experience Live; The Unauthorized Biography of Beyoncé: Baby and Beyond (documentary); Beyoncé: Fierce and Fabulous (documentary); “Jay Z Physically Attacked by Beyoncé’s Sister,” TMZ, May 12, 2014; “Jay Z’s Bodyguard Sucks; He Failed in the Elevator,” TMZ, May 13, 2014; Mathew Knowles interview, The Roula and Ryan Show, August 2014; Mathew Knowles interview, “Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall,” August 17, 2014.
Volumes: Empire State of Mind: How Jay-Z Went from Street Corner to Corner Office, by Zack O’Malley Greenburg; Decoded, by Jay-Z; Jay Z: The King of America, by Mark Beaumont; From Jim Crow to Jay Z: Race, Rap, and the Performance of Masculinity, by Miles White.
Articles: “Meet the People Behind Beyoncé,” Out.com, April 8, 2014; “American Booty,” by Jane Gordon, Daily Mail, August 14, 2010; “Jay-Z and Beyoncé: Marriage or Merger?,” by Zack O’Malley Greenburg, Forbes, June 7, 2011; “Beyoncé Opens Up . . . ,” Daily Mail, February 14, 2003; “A Conversation with Beyoncé . . .” (no byline), Cincinnati Post, July 26, 2007; “Dreamgirls Costumes Re-create Motown Ambiance of the ’60s,” by Joy Sewing, Houston Chronicle, December 21, 2006; “Beyoncé Screen Test Left ‘Dreamgirls’ Producers Spellbound” (no byline), Asian News International, December 25, 2006; “Beyoncé Enjoyed Working on Dreamgirls,” AP Online, November 28, 2006; “Beyoncé—Behind the B’Day Videos,” by Jennifer Vineyard, MTV News, 2007; “Destiny’s Wild” (no byline), Washington Post, April 25, 2009; “From Bootylicious Babe to BadAss” (no byline), Sunday Life, May 24, 2009; “An Open Letter, Mathew Knowles,” by AlexSandra Wright, CNN, August 30, 2013; “Beyoncé Fired Dad Amid Accusations of Theft, Legal Documents Show,” Hollywood Reporter, July 12, 2011; “Me, Jay-Z and I,” by Caroline Prosser, Daily Mail, February 1, 2014; “Beyoncé, Mathew Knowles, Live Nation: How Much Is at Stake,” by Zack O’Malley Greenburg, Forbes.com, July 7, 2011; “Beyoncé’s Step Brother Nixon and His Mom Move into Trailer Park,” by Dee Apphiaana, Stargist.com, April 24, 2014; “Beyoncé’s Dad—DNA Test Shows . . . You’re the Daddy,” TMZ.com, September 18, 2014; “Beyoncé’s Dad: I Didn’t Steal from My Daughter,” TMZ.com, July 11, 2011; “Beyoncé’s Dad Sings the Blues About Houston’s Entertainment Scene,” Houston Business Journal, July 18, 2014; “Beyoncé’s Dad Off the Hook for Now on Child Support,” TMZ.com, April 24, 2014; “Did Live Nation Push Mathew Knowles Out as Beyoncé’s Manager?,” by Amos Barshad, Vulture, July 14, 2011; “The Untold Story of How Tina and Mathew Knowles Created the Destiny’s Child Gold Mine,” by Lynn Norment, Ebony, September 2001; “Beyoncé’s Dad Hit with Second Paternity Suit,” by Joel Anderson, BuzzFeed.com, July 7, 2014; “Famed R&B Singer’s Father Sues Murdoch-Owned Publication for Defamation,” by John Suayan, Southeast Texas Record, June 26, 2013; “Historic Downtown Site Faces New Musical Destiny,” by Nancy Sarnoff, Houston Business Journal, June 1, 2001; “Behind the Music—The Business Empire of Mathew Knowles,” by Cheryl Alexander, Houston Lifestyle & Homes, March 1, 2013; “It’s a Family Affair,” by Michael Hall, Texas Monthly, April 2004; “Beyoncé; Fired Father Mathew Knowles After Live Nation Accused him of Theft,” by Gerrik Kennedy, L.A. Times Blogs, July 12, 2011; “Beyoncé Severs Management Ties with Father,” by Gerrick Kennedy, L.A. Times Blogs, March 28, 2011; “Legal Documents Relating to Beyoncé, Mathew Knowles May Shed Light on Singer’s New Management, Touring Deals,” Billboard.com, July 13, 2011; “Mathew Knowles Talks Beyoncé Split: ‘It Would Be a Lie If I Did Not Say It Has Been Difficult,’ ” by Cavan Sieczkowski, Huffington Post, March 25, 2013; “Mathew Knowles: I Did Not Steal from Beyoncé,” by Nekesa Mumbi Moody,” Huffpost Celebrity, July 15, 2011; “Mathew Knowles: ‘We Absolutely Have Not Taken Any Money from Beyoncé,” by Nekesa Mumbi Moody, Billboard.com, July 15, 2011; “Mathew Knowles Baby Mama and Son Evicted,” by Jonathan Hailey, Urban Daily, April 11, 2014; “Beyoncé and Jay-Z Marry,” by Michelle Tauber, People, April 21, 2008; “Beyoncé Finally Opens Up About Secret Wedding,” by Marisa Lausadio, Essence, October 2008; “At Last! Beyoncé Finally Gives Fans a Glimpse of Her Lavish Gown from Jay-Z Wedding,” by Jade Watkins, Daily Mail, November 19, 2011; “Beyoncé Becoming More Fierce” (no byline), Telegraph-Herald, November 30, 2008; “Her Belfast Backstage Demands are Revealed” (no byline), Sunday Life, May 24, 2009; “Beyoncé in Big Trouble If New Album Flops as Predicted,” by Roger Friedman, Showbiz 411, June 23, 2011; “Beyoncé’s Parents Mathew and Tina Knowles Divorce After 31 Years of Marriage,” by Emily Sheridan, Daily Mail, December 20, 2011; “Surprise! More Details on Beyoncé and Tina Knowles’ University of Houston Campus Visit,” by Clifford Pugh, Culture Map Houston, October 3, 2011; “Pop Star’s Mom Sews Some Diva-licious Threads” (no byline), Htexas.com, September 1, 2007; “Beyoncé’s Father Wanted Singer to Raise Half-Brother as Her Own, Claims Mother of Love Child,” by Amelia Proud, Daily Mail, October 21, 2011; “Tina Knowles’ Handbag,” by Kristie Ramirez, Texas Monthly, September 2009; “Where Are They Now? Find Out What Happened to the Other Members of Destiny’s Child,” by Brittany Lewis, Global Grind, January 11, 2013; “Meet the People Behind Beyoncé,” Out.com, April 8, 2014; “Beyoncé—Dreamgirl,” by Tom Horan, Telegraph, November 8, 2008, “Beyoncé: I’m Proof You Don’t Have to Be a Diva to Win,” by Anna Pukas, Express, December 16, 2008; “Beyoncé Says She Killed Sasha Fierce,” by Hillary Crosley, MTV News, February 26, 2010; “Above and Beyoncé,” by Lisa Robinson, Vanity Fair, November 2005; “Beyoncé Knowles: The Queen B,” by Jason Guy, Vogue, February 11, 2013; “The Video of Solange Attacking Jay Z Is Deeply Upsetting and Also Fantastic,” by Kevin Fallon, Daily Beast, May 12, 2014; “Mrs. Carter Uncut,” by Jo Ellison, Vogue, May 2013; “The Year That Changed My Life,” by Beyoncé Knowles, Essence, July 2011; “Solange—Pastel Pop,” by Britini Danielle, Essence, May 2014; “Beyoncé—She’s the Boss,” by Sheryl Sandberg, Time (cover of the 100 Most Influential People), May 12, 2014; “Beyoncé and Tina Turner” (no byline), Ebony, June 2014; “Jay Z,” by Lisa Robinson, Vanity Fair, November 2013; “Beyoncé Liberated,” by Aaron Hickland, Out, April 2014; “Beyoncé Buys $5.9 Million Houston Mansion for Mom,” by Zondra Hughes, Rollingout.com; January 22, 2013; “Beyoncé Buys Home for Mom,” by Graham Wood; AOL Real Estate, January 25, 2013; “Beyoncé’s Momma Doin’ It Again in Manhattan,” by Mark David, Variety.com, November 21, 2011; “Tina Knowles Parties at Coachella,” by Justin Ravitz, Us Weekly, April 15, 2014; “Tina Knowles Talks About Life, Love at Women’s Luncheon,” by Joy Sewing, October 3, 2014, Houston Chronicle; “Tina Knowles Reveals Battle with Low Self-Esteem After Divorce,” by Iyana Robertson, Vibe, October 6, 2014; “Tina Knowles, Beyoncé Mother Dating New Boyfriend Richard Lawson: Ex-Husband Matthew [sic] Knowles Look-Alike?,” by Crystal Henderson, Enstarz.com, October 31, 2013; “Meet the People Behind Beyoncé,” Out.com, April 8, 2014; “Gender Equality Is a Myth,” by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Shriver Report, January 12, 2014; “Above and Beyoncé,” by Lisa Robinson, Vanity Fair, November 2005; “Beyoncé and Jay Z Reveal Footage of Blue Ivy’s Birth During ‘On the Run,’ ” by Lauren Cox, Hollywood Life, June 26, 2014; “ ‘It’s a Jedi Mind Trick’: Beyoncé’s Father Mathew Knowles Makes Shocking Claim Singer and Jay Z Used Divorce Rumours to ‘Ignite’ T
our Sales,” by Iona Kirby, Mail Online, August 27, 2014; “Mathew Knowles Says Beyoncé and Jay Z Used Drama to Sell Tickets,” by Victoria Uwumarogie, Madame Noire, August 27, 2014; “Solange Attacked Jay Z ‘over Rihanna Party Invitation,’ ” CNN, May 14, 2014; “Mathew Knowles Weighs In on Jay Z/Solange Elevator Gate,” by Sam, The Grape Juice, August 27, 2014; “Solange Knowles, Jay Z Fight Sparked After Rapper Made Plans to Attend Rihanna’s Met Gala After-Party,” by Marianne Garvey, Brian Niemietz, and Rich Shapiro, New York Daily News, May 13, 2014; “Could This Be the End of Beyoncé and Jay Z?,” by Stacy Brown, New York Post, July 19, 2014; “Beyoncé Sounds Like She’s Calling Jay Z Out for Cheating,” TMZ.com, July 2, 2014; “Jay Z Physically Attacked by Beyoncé’s Sister,” TMZ.com, May 12, 2014; “Review: 15 Thoughts on the Carters’ ‘On the Run Tour’ and Their Evolving PDA,” by Clover Hope, Vibe.com, July 12, 2014; “The $84M Reason to Stay Together,” by Stephanie Smith, New York Post, July 29, 2014; “The Mythologizing of Jay Z, or Why the World Decided to Stop Worrying and Love the Rap God,” by Marlow Stern, The Daily Beast, May 13, 2014.
PERSONAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
My thanks to Jonathan Hahn, a brilliant writer, my personal publicist, and good friend.
Thanks also to all of those from “Team JRT”: attorney James M. Leonard; CPA Michael Horowitz of Horowitz, McMahon & Zarem in Southern California, Inc.; and also Felinda deYoung of Horowitz et al.
Thanks to: Andy Steinlen, George Solomon, Jeff Hare, Andy Hirsch, Samuel Munoz, Bruce Rheins, Dawn Westlake, Jeff Cook, Brandon Schmook, Richard Tyler Jordan, John Passantino, Linda DiStefano, Hazel and Rob Kragulac, Andy Skurow, Brian Newman, Scherrie Payne, Freda Payne, Susaye Greene, Barbara Ormsby, David Spiro, Billy Masters, Marlene Morris, Kac Young, Yvette Jarecki, Robin Roth, Mary Downey, Felipe Echeri, Alexandra Wescourt, Laura Fagin, Corey Sheppard, Rita Bosico, Deb Armstrong, Susan Kaya, Sal Pinto, Barb Mueller, David Gunther, Eric Edmonds, Chris Saunders, and Jillian DeVaney.
I also want to acknowledge my television producing partners and colleagues: Keri Selig, Jonathan Koch, Steve Michaels, Cari Davine, Joan Harrison, Steve Kronish, Eva Miller, Michael Prupus, Stanley Hubbard, Sherryl Clark, Tia Maggini, Arturo Interian, and Tanya Lopez.
I have always been so blessed to have a family as supportive as mine. My thanks and love go out to: Roslyn and Bill Barnett and Jessica and Zachary, Rocco and Rosemaria Taraborrelli and Rocco and Vincent, and Arnold Taraborrelli. Special thanks to my father, Rocco. A big smile, also, for Spencer Douglas.
All of my books are written with my mother, Rose Marie, in mind. We miss her very much.
Finally, I must also acknowledge those readers of mine who have followed my career over the years. I am indebted to each and every reader who has stuck by me over the course of my career. I am eternally grateful to anyone who takes the time to pick up one of my books and read it.
Thank you so much.
J. Randy Taraborrelli
Summer 2015
ENDNOTES
1 Though Tina Knowles, under oath on March 22, 2002, provided the account as outlined, Deborah Laday and Denise Seals insist that they were never threatened with eviction from their office space. Neither Laday or Seals have any memory of a time when their office was padlocked.
2 Mathew later testified that after Andretta’s death he had tried in vain to contact Armon and Chris to see how they were doing.
3 Released at the end of October 2001, 8 Days of Christmas did respectable business for Destiny’s Child, debuting at number thirty-five on the Billboard 200 LP chart. The album, buoyed by the title track as a single, ultimately went gold, selling half a million copies. Since its initial release, 8 Days of Christmas has been a perennial seller; by 2014 it had clocked more than two million copies and downloads worldwide.
4 Lonnie Jackson recalled another very telling incident relating to Mathew which occurred at about this same time. The weekend Destiny’s Child was scheduled to appear on “Saturday Night Live,” Beyoncé invited Lonnie and Taura Stinson to the taping. When they got backstage, Mathew was standing guard. “Only one of you can go into the green room,” he announced, referring to the backstage room where guests wait to go onstage. Since it happened to be Lonnie’s birthday, the couple agreed that he should be the one to go back and greet Beyoncé. When Lonnie found her in the Green Room, Beyoncé immediately asked about Taura. Lonnie explained that Mathew wouldn’t allow her backstage. “What? Screw that,” Beyoncé exclaimed. “Mathew Knowles doesn’t run the backstage area. Go get her!”
5 In July 2007, Beyoncé took a terrible fall onstage in Orlando while singing “Ring the Alarm.” Wearing a long red coat, she toppled headfirst down a flight of stairs and hit her chin hard on the stage. Her stiletto heel had gotten caught in the hem of her coat. Amazingly, she got right back up and continued to perform. After the fall, she wagged her finger at the crowd and asked them to please not post it on YouTube. Of course, by the next morning it was all over the Internet. Beyoncé had to laugh. “Of course, that’s what I expected,” she later said. The fall was so dramatic and such big news, it was reported on CNN. In fact, Beyoncé has fallen so many times onstage, she’s lost count. It’s not surprising, though, considering the extreme athleticism of her performances. She still has a scar from that big tumble in Orlando, and says that it was so bad, if she hadn’t gotten back to her feet immediately she would not have been able to finish the show.
6 In 2014, Mathew won a six-figure settlement from a London tabloid after it erroneously reported that Beyoncé had refused to allow him to meet his granddaughter Blue Ivy.
7 In April 2015, it was reported by the popular personality DJ Skee that the Carters would release their duet album exclusively on TIDAL, the music subscription service Jay Z had recently bought for $56 million. Some media observers speculated that the release might spike interest in the music platform, which had been met with ambivalence from much of the public. Also in April, and without much acclamation, Beyoncé released an exclusive video on the service, her playing the piano and singing a new song, “Die With You.”
8 After the elevator incident, rumors spread that Solange may have been under the influence. She and her family insist that this was not the case. In fact, Solange has been diagnosed as having ADHD—attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. “People think I’m high even when I’m sober,” she has explained. “I was diagnosed with ADHD twice. I didn’t believe the first doctor who told me and I had a whole theory that ADHD was just something they invented to make you pay for medicine, but then the second doctor told me I had it.”
INDEX
Abundant Life Center, ref1
Aguilera, Christina, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4
Alexander, Jovonn, ref1
All I Have, ref1
Allure (magazine), ref1
Alston, Arthur (Choke No Joke), ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7, ref8, ref9
Alton McClain and Destiny, ref1
“Ambush Crew, The,” ref1
“America the Beautiful,” ref1
Amerie, ref1
Amil (Amil Kahala Whitehead), ref1
A&A Music, ref1
“And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” ref1, ref2
Angel (group), ref1
“Apple Pie ... la Mode,” ref1
“Are You My Woman,” ref1
Arsenio Hall Show (TV show), ref1, ref2
Asher, Jordy, ref1
Ashford, Nickolas, ref1
Ashman, Howard, ref1
AstroWorld, ref1
“At Last,” ref1, ref2
Austin Powers in Goldmember (movie), ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4
Australian tour, ref1
Avedon, Richard, ref1
Avery, Gena Charmaine, ref1
“Baby Boy,” ref1, ref2, ref3
Bad Boy Records, ref1
“Bad Habit,” ref1
Bailey, Pearl, ref1
Balla
rd, Florence, ref1
Ballers (TV show), ref1
Ball High School, ref1
Ballmer, Steve, ref1
bankruptcy filing of 1993, ref1, ref2
Banks, Tyra, ref1
Barrett, Mario, ref1
Barrino, Fantasia, ref1
Barrymore, Drew, ref1
Bartlett, Liam, ref1, ref2
B’Day, ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4
beauty pageants and talent shows, ref1
Belafonte, Harry, ref1
Bell, Harlon “Keith,” ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4