EXCLUSIVE LaTavia Roberson Interview: Talks Destiny's Child Split & Possible Reunion, Feelings On Beyonce, and Addresses the Instagram Shade Videos [PHOTOS] [VIDEO]
In part two of our Enstars Exclusive with former Destiny's Child member Latavia Roberson, the singer/songwriter spills all of the latest on what she's been up to since their heart-breaking split in 1999.
Destiny's Child owned the '90s. After 10 years of performing together, Kelly Rowland, Beyoncé Knowles, LeToya Luckett and Latavia Roberson had hit a new peak of success. Together, they sold more than 80 million albums worldwide, won two Grammy Awards and had several No.1 hit singles. It all came to a screeching halt in 1999 when Roberson and Luckett parted ways with the group, breaking the hearts of their fans across the world.
Though Beyoncé and Kelly went on to create a 2.0 version of the Columbia Records female sensation, Latavia and Letoya had to move on. Letoya returned to the scene in 2006 with her hit single, Torn, and has had a successful acting career. And now, after more a decade away from the spotlight, Destiny's Child's fourth original member is returning on her own terms in the newest season of R&B Divas: Atlanta.
Roberson's experience in the music industry is all too common amongst female groups of the past. For those who have seen the TLC biopic Crazy, Sexy, Cool, the often underhanded, behind-the-scenes workings of the music industry tend to turn dreams of stardom into nightmares fairly quickly.
Latavia, who had been friends with Beyoncé, Kelly and Letoya since they were 9 years old, said that there are no hard feelings between she and the girls. Though many reports tell a story of hate and animosity, she insisted that none of it is true. "I've been in touch with all of the girls," Roberson revealed. "LeToya came to my baby shower, and she actually came to the hospital right after I had Lyric."
Though she could not pinpoint the last time she spoke to Kelly or Beyoncé, she is an admitted member of the "Beyhive" and believes that the word "proud" is an understatement, regarding how she feels about her childhood friend's major success. "Every single album, I have several copies of them," beamed Latavia. "She has definitely grown into one of my heroes, for sure. Since I was like 20-years-old, I've truly looked up to her and I am not just trying to say that because she is my friend."
She continued, "To watch her bring herself to everything that always told me that she was going to do, has been amazing and it has been very inspiring. She is like no other, point blank."
Though the split seemed to be caused by a management dispute, fans on social media have recently gathered various videos and created a number of memes that imply that things were not always smooth between the girls. On Vine, a video excerpt featuring Beyoncé loudly coughing when Kelly stated that she was the second lead singer of the group went viral in just hours. So, how does Latavia feel about it? She simply said, "I don't pay attention to any of that stuff... I think sometimes people have a little too much time on their hands."
Since their time together, the new mother of 8-month-old daughter admitted that she wanted to take her time to return to the same industry that caused her more pain than she could ever imagine. "I took a lot of time out to deal with my family and to deal with some personal things with me and I felt like it was the right timing," she said. "I felt like the Lord bought R&B Divas to me at the perfect time. I was ready."
As fans of one of the most popular girl groups of all time hold their breath, Roberson confirmed that the possibility of a reunion is not completely off of the table. Now that all of the members are friends, she said, "Only God knows that. I love them and anything is possible."
Catch Latavia on R&B Divas: Atlanta, premiering on TVOne, April 23 at 10/9c.
If you missed part 1 of our exclusive interview, read it here.