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Kelly Rowland Reveals Biggest Misconception About Her: 'Don't Play with Me'
The singer and actress says she doesn't let people "play" with her family and friends.
Published on Feb. 11, 2026
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In a recent interview, Kelly Rowland opened up about the biggest misconception people have about her, saying that many think she's "nice" and doesn't "bite back." Rowland made it clear she won't tolerate people "playing" with her family and friends, stating, "I will. Don't play with me or my family." This comes over a year after Rowland got into a heated exchange on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024, where she stood her ground against a woman who she felt was treating her differently than other attendees.
Why it matters
Rowland's comments shed light on the public perception of her as a "nice" celebrity, when in reality, she is willing to stand up for herself and her loved ones. This provides insight into the challenges famous figures can face in maintaining boundaries and being true to themselves, even when the public may have certain expectations.
The details
In the interview, Rowland revealed that the biggest misconception about her is that she's "nice" and doesn't "bite back." She made it clear she won't tolerate people "playing" with her family and friends, stating, "I will. Don't play with me or my family." This comes after a 2024 incident at the Cannes Film Festival, where Rowland got into a heated exchange with a security guard on the red carpet. Rowland explained that she felt she was treated differently than other attendees who "did not quite look like" her, and she stood her ground.
- In May 2024, Rowland got into a heated exchange with a security guard on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival.
- On February 9, 2026, Rowland revealed the biggest misconception about her in an interview on ABC News' All Access with Linsey Davis.
The players
Kelly Rowland
A singer and actress who was a member of the popular R&B group Destiny's Child.
Linsey Davis
The host of ABC News' All Access, who interviewed Rowland.
What they’re saying
“That I'm nice but I don't bite back. I will. Don't play with me or my family, my sisters, my friends. I'm gonna get you.”
— Kelly Rowland, Singer and Actress (ABC News' All Access with Linsey Davis)
“The woman knows what happened. I know what happened. I have a boundary, and I stand by those boundaries, and that is it. And there were other women that attended that carpet who did not quite look like me, and they didn't get scolded or pushed off or told to get off. I stood my ground, and she felt like she had to stand hers, but I stood my ground.”
— Kelly Rowland, Singer and Actress (Associated Press)
The takeaway
Kelly Rowland's comments highlight the challenges famous figures can face in maintaining their boundaries and being true to themselves, even when the public may have certain expectations. Her willingness to stand up for herself and her loved ones provides a refreshing perspective on the often-idealized image of celebrity.
