Tina Knowles Talks Beyoncé 'Rivalry' With Solange—'She Wasn't Listening'

Newsweek

12-05-2025

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Tina Knowles spoke out about a "rivalry" between daughters Beyoncé and Solange Knowles on a recent podcast.
The Context
Tina Knowles and ex-husband Mathew Knowles got married in 1980 and welcomed Beyoncé in 1981 and Solange Knowles in 1986.
Beyoncé skyrocketed to fame in the 1990s as the lead singer of the Destiny's Child—whose hits include "Say My Name" and "Survivor"—and later went on to achieve massive success as a solo artist too. Today, she has more Grammy nominations (99) and more Grammy awards (35) than any other artist in history.
Solange Knowles is also a talented singer-songwriter and released several albums of her own. She was a backup dancer for Destiny's Child and launched a record label called Saint Records in 2013. In 2016, she won a Grammy for her song "Cranes in the Sky," which took home Best R&B Performance.
Solange Knowles (L) and her sister Beyoncé Knowles (R) pose for a portrait during a photo shoot on June 28, 2001 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Solange Knowles (L) and her sister Beyoncé Knowles (R) pose for a portrait during a photo shoot on June 28, 2001 in Atlanta, Georgia.What To Know
During a special live episode of IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, which was released on Friday, Tina Knowles promoted her new book Matriarch and spoke out about her children. She told host Michelle Obama that things between Beyoncé and Solange once got so tense that she "took them to therapy."
Newsweek reached out to Beyoncé and Solange Knowles' representatives via email for comment.
"Beyoncé just wanted a little sister so bad, and she just loved Solange and adored her," Tina Knowles said, before noting a change in the "Texas Hold 'Em" singer. "But by the time she got to be 10, she was in that group, and all of a sudden, I just started noticing that the girls in the group would say, 'Shut up, Solange,' because Solange would be in there trying to run things, trying to teach them choreography."
"Trying to keep up," Obama chimed in.
"Trying to keep up with her sister," Tina Knowles agreed. "Beyoncé started letting them say, 'Shut up, Solange. Be quiet, Solange. Mama, come get Solange.' You know? And I was like, 'This is Solange's house. Y'all are in her house.'"
"Don't you love Tina?" the former first lady asked the audience through laughter.
Tina Knowles proceeded to tell listeners that she enlisted the help of an outside source when what she was telling them wasn't getting through.
"She took these people to therapy. I love that," Obama said.
"I did. And you know, I remember some of my relatives saying, 'You're going to make them kids crazy.' But I wanted them to be close, and I didn't want there to be this rivalry, and I didn't want it to be that Beyoncé was not ride or die for her sister first. You don't let somebody do your sister like that," the fashion designer continued. "So I took them to therapy, and I found this young man that was amazing, and he explained it all to Beyoncé because I had been explaining it to her but she wasn't listening."
Tina Knowles added that "things got immediately better with them," and while "Beyoncé hated therapy," Solange "loved" it.
"Solange kept going. And eventually her therapist passed away and so she stopped going as a kid, but it was just great for them," the House of Deréon founder said. "I used to have to have a Solange day for her because when the kids are not really close together, I think it's way harder. When they're really close together, it's different, but I just didn't want that rivalry. And they have been close ever since."
In 2023, Mathew Knowles took to Instagram to speak out about his musically gifted daughters.
"When Beyoncé and Solange showed an interest in music at a very young age, Tina and I (who were already corporate professionals and entrepreneurs) didn't attempt to downplay their passions," he said. "Rather, we encouraged them, we guided them, we supported them. As long as they took it seriously and strived to be the best they could, we were happy with whatever career path they chose."
He added: "The world needs more people who are connected to their inner ambitions and passions, and are surrounded by those who nurture them. It'll make the world a better place for us all."
What People Are Saying
In the comments underneath the interview on Spotify, fans praised Tina Knowles and Obama's conversation, as well as he businesswoman's new book.
Tamika Patrice wrote: "Love love love the energy, essence and pride these two beautiful Black women embody and radiate to the world. ❤️❤️❤️"
aliwanwan said: "Such a wonderful interview. Mama T definitely has her own story to tell and I can't wait to grab a copy for my own mom to read."
KariG shared: "For someone so private all this time, this is amazing for her to share. It's beautiful. Can't wait to read! ❣️"
Stan posted: "I got the book today! Can't wait to start reading it and learning all about this well spoken and intelligent woman and her journey from beginning to now!"
CupcakeGirl added: "I love this interview!"
Beyoncé praised her mom too, writing via Instagram on May 1: "The Mama T was that good?? Ha. You deserve it, I'm so proud!"
What Happens Next
Matriarch was released on April 22 and is currently available for purchase online and in stores.
Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour kicked off in April in Los Angeles and concludes in Las Vegas in July.