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When Destiny's Child disbanded last year, the destinies of Beyonce Knowles' bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams seemed in question.
But the two are doing just fine, thank you. As they launch solo careers, Williams and Rowland, both 25, have booked multiple-episode gigs on two UPN sitcoms. They talked about their TV stints (and Valentine's Day plans) in a recent conference call.
First up: Williams pops up on tonight's Half & Half (9:30 ET/PT) in the first of three appearances as a hard-edged record executive who turns out to be HIV-positive. Then it's Rowland's turn to sass up Girlfriends as a seemingly innocent intern who is not what she appears to be. The first of her three episodes airs Feb. 20 (9 p.m. ET/PT), before Half & Half.
"Hi, Michelle -- whattup, girl?" coos Rowland from Houston, where she's recording an album due in May, as Williams calls in from her home in Rockford, Ill. "I can't wait to see your show, Michelle. I know you did great."
"Oh, thank you, Kelly," says Williams, who wrote a song for Rowland's album. "I feel the same about you."
Though still best pals, the trio's separate paths have limited their time together. The three reunited on stage at last week's Grammys to present an award, and Rowland recently watched Knowles perform with Eddie Murphy on the Los Angeles set of Dreamgirls (due in December). "I believe this role was meant for her since the day she was born," Rowland says.
"Even though we don't talk every day," Williams says, "we know we all still love each other."
"And we got each other," Rowland adds. "Destiny's Child will never die."
Rowland has tested the acting waters with appearances on The Hughleys, Eve and American Dreams. She also appeared in the 2003 slasher film Freddy vs. Jason. For Williams, who appeared on stage in Broadway's Aida, the Half & Half role is her first appearance in a sitcom. Rowland says Williams is a natural comic: "On our last tour, she was so funny. She has the gift of laughter."
Though the future of UPN shows is in doubt with the recently announced merger of UPN and WB into the new CW network, Rowland is hoping her Girlfriends run (her last episode is scheduled for April 24) might spin her off into her own series. "We'll see. I would love that."
Williams' episode tonight has a Valentine's Day theme. But in real life, both are cynical about the holiday.
"Valentine's Day is for suckers!" Williams shouts. "That day is so overrated."
"Yes, it is," echoes Rowland, whose engagement to Dallas Cowboy Roy Williams ended last year "around Valentine's Day." She'll be in L.A. on Tuesday shooting her final episode of Girlfriends. "My valentine is my album," she says.
Williams plans to stay home with her Yorkshire terrier, Jacquard. She teases: "I have a friend. If he wants to do something, I'd consider it. Put that in the paper!"
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