Things that you will
learn in the Book
Her True Path
in Brewer’s words
“…The student prodigy/teacher relationship is a most interesting one. I had an awesome relationship with Beyoncé and the gifted talents that made up Destiny’s Child. Unfortunately, my job required me to deal with the parents. It was going to take character to get there…”
“…Beyoncé awakened every morning asking eagerly, ‘What am I going to learn today?’ Our shared history and joy, mine in teaching and hers in learning, can never be erased. I told Beyoncé that despite our toxic environment, "Your beginning will not be your end." She listened.
Clive Davis was Whitney’s luck, I was Beyoncé’s.
Sony Columbia Signing Party Destiny's Child
Betrayal on the Way
As an idealistic young teacher, I could not have predicted how much betrayal I would encounter. Like a pernicious disease, betrayal spread throughout the Knowles family and the Knowles organization. Betrayal affected everyone – the innocent and the guilty – whoever was linked to Beyoncé’s story.
I initiated Kelly Rowland’s move into the Knowles house. Her singing became phenomenally good, garnering too much attention. “You see, Kelly, everybody can hear the beauty in your voice. Do you believe me now?” I asked.
Celestine Knowles definitely heard the beauty in Kelly’s voice, and Kelly’s fate ended up in her hands. Mama Knowles saw Kelly as a threat, and was determined to handle Beyoncé’s “competition” her way.
Then there was Andretta “Ann” Tillman, the original manager and financier of the group that becomes Destiny’s Child. The betrayal she suffered sickens me.
Destiny's Child with David Lee Brewer; Autographed Promo Shot, Sony Columbia records, ca. 1998
Terribly Honest
Beyoncé: Raising Genius explores terribly difficult situations experienced by all involved. No one would ever suspect that Celestine was the snake in Beyoncé’s Garden of Eden.
Beyoncé never set out to hurt anyone. Any ugly deed attributed to her in other books was neither initiated nor implemented by her. Still, the responsibility lies with her.
Reading J. Randy Taraborrelli’s book, I watched Celestine throw Beyoncé under the bus more than once.
After ten years of intimate involvement with the Knowles family, my desire to escape the manipulations of Mathew and Celestine had everything to do with Kelly Rowland and nothing to do with Beyoncé, a fact I kept from the both of them. It’s time they learned the truth behind that move. I hated walking away but I had no choice. Lives were at stake.
Beyoncé’s childhood
Beyoncé and Betrayal on the Way
Beyoncé and Destiny's Child
Kelly Rowland