Kelly Rowland Admits Not Always Liking Her Dark Skin

The singer says it took her a while to accept and love her "chocolatiness."

Posted: 03/08/2013 12:56 PM EST
Kelly Rowland

It's hard to imagine someone as flawlessly beautiful as Kelly Rowland being uncomfortable in her skin, but during the 2013 Essence Black Women In Hollywood luncheon, the singer revealed that she didn't like being so dark. Beyoncé's mother and Destiny's Child stylist, Tina Knowles, as well as Rowland's own mom had to help her see the beauty in "chocolatiness.'

"You know what I had great women in my life to help me overcome that. I remember I went through a period where I didn't embrace my 'chocolatiness.' I don't know if that's a word, but I didn't embrace my chocolate lifestyle. Just being a chocolate, lovely brown skin girl and being proud of that," Rowland told CNikky.com. "I remember Tina Knowles, Bey's mom, and I being out in the sun and I was trying to shield myself from the sun and she said, 'Are you crazy?' She said, 'You are absolutely gorgeous' and she just told me how beautiful I was and how rare chocolate is and how gorgeous the skin is, all of this stuff. And I was just like, 'Yeah!' Like a light went off. So between her and my mother and then me sitting out in the sun a little more, just to be a little more chocolate. You just embrace it. You embrace everything that you are as a woman, even your flaws too."

What do you think of Rowland's initial qualm about her darker hued skin? Do you think it's still a problem within the community to see lighter skin as more favorable than our chocolate sisters? We want to hear from you. Sound off!


Get ready for the BET Experience, featuring Beyoncé, Snoop Lion, Erykah Badu, Kendrick Lamar and many more. Go here for more details and info on how to buy tickets.

BET.com always gives you the latest fashion and beauty trends, tips and news. We are committed to bringing you the best of Black lifestyle and celebrity culture.


Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

 (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Videos You May Like

Comments

African-Americans on Forbes Most Powerful Women List 2013

See where Michelle Obama, Oprah and others rank. 05/23/2013

The 411 on Seasonal Allergies

What you need to know about allergies. 05/22/2013

How You Can Help the Victims in Oklahoma

The Red Cross, Salvation Army and more ways to give. 05/21/2013

Out and About: Jaden Smith Goes to Dinner in London

Plus pics of Rita Ora, Janet Jackson, MJB and more. 05/24/2013

The Rundown: French Montana, Excuse My French

A track-by-track review of the Bronx rapper's debut LP. 05/20/2013

Bump Watch: Celebrity Pregnancy Denials

Bey, Brandy and other stars plagued by baby rumors. 05/21/2013