Farrah Franklin, a former member of the iconic girl group Destiny’s Child, has offered a response to actor Terrence Howard’s recent claims regarding their relationship. In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, Franklin clarified that while she and Howard enjoyed friendly outings, there was no romantic involvement between them.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Farrah-Franklin-Terrence-Howard-031726-5b47683a11b544e5a01d980254240e37.jpg)
Howard, known for his roles in films such as “Empire” and “Hustle & Flow,” made headlines earlier this month when he appeared on the PBD Podcast. During the interview, he revealed that he had the opportunity to date Beyoncé in their youth but ultimately chose to pursue a different member of Destiny’s Child. “You know, I had a chance to date Beyoncé early on,” he recounted, adding, “I ended up talking to the other girl inside of, you know, Destiny’s Child. The girl with the blue eyes.”
In response to his comments, Franklin, who briefly toured with Destiny’s Child during 2000 and 2001, confirmed their interactions but emphasised their platonic nature. “I’m Farrah with the natural green eyes (not Blue lol),” she highlighted, dismissing any romantic implications. She continued, “I can confirm that Terrence and I had a few friendly outings—nothing romantic. We went to the studio a few times, and I will say that Terrence is super talented!”
Franklin opted not to delve into speculations surrounding Howard’s statements, instead expressing her commitment to her own professional journey. “I wish everyone well and remain focused on my own journey,” she concluded, indicating her intention to move forward positively.
During the podcast episode, Howard refrained from naming Franklin directly but referenced Beyoncé and other members of Destiny’s Child. The Houston-based group originally started with Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, LeToya Luckett, and LaTavia Roberson. Franklin joined the lineup following the departures of Luckett and Roberson. However, she left the group not long after, allowing Destiny’s Child to continue as a trio with Beyoncé, Rowland, and Michelle Williams.
Howard reminisced about a specific occasion at the 2005 BET Awards, suggesting that Beyoncé’s decision to include him in a performance was a reminder of a missed opportunity. He recounted, “I remember Beyoncé looking over at me, and I think that’s why she picked me to do that dance, when she did the kind of strip tease dance that we did at BET or whatever, to show me what I had lost.”
During the same awards show, Kelly Rowland performed alongside rapper Nelly, while Michelle Williams was paired with basketball legend Magic Johnson. Howard reminded listeners that these events took place a considerable time ago, and he acknowledged the passage of years since his youthful interactions with the group.
In the years following the BET performance, both Howard and Beyoncé have experienced significant changes in their personal lives. Beyoncé married rapper Jay-Z in 2008, and together they have three children: Blue Ivy, who is now 14, and twins Rumi and Sir, who are 8. Meanwhile, Howard has been married four times and is a father to five children, illustrating the different paths their lives have taken since their early days in the entertainment industry.
As for Franklin, she is currently focused on her career in music and film. She expressed enthusiasm about upcoming projects, stating, “I’ve been working on new music and film projects, and it’s definitely next level. I’m looking forward to sharing it with the world.”
With her latest comments, Farrah Franklin reinforces her determination to carve her own path in the spotlight, while the past remains an intriguing point of discussion for fans of both the actress and the renowned music group.