Before Beyoncé and Jay-Z became one of the most famous couples in music, Terrence Howard says there could have been a different pairing involving the superstar singer.
During a recent appearance on the PBD Podcast with Patrick Bet-David, the 57-year-old Empire actor claimed he once had the opportunity to date the “Irreplaceable” singer early in her career. However, he says he chose to pursue another member of Destiny’s Child instead.
“You know, I had a chance to date Beyoncé early on,” Howard said after Bet-David brought up Hollywood power couples and mentioned the 35-time Grammy winner and her 56-year-old husband.
“We had a conversation, you know, and I ended up talking to the other girl inside of, you know, Destiny [’s Child]. The girl with the blue eyes,” he continued, though he never specified which member he meant.
Destiny’s Child originally found fame after forming in Houston with Beyoncé, now 44, alongside Kelly Rowland, LeToya Luckett, and LaTavia Roberson.
Following the departures of Luckett and Roberson, Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin joined the group. However, Franklin’s time with the “Survivor” singers was short-lived, and the group eventually continued as a trio.
As the discussion went on, Howard also reflected on a moment at the 2005 BET Awards when he shared the stage with Beyoncé during a steamy performance of Destiny’s Child’s “Cater 2 U,” which was released that same year.
During the live show, the group invited three well-known men from the audience to join them onstage for the performance—Michelle Williams with Magic Johnson, Kelly Rowland with Nelly, and Beyoncé with Howard.
“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,” the Best Man actor said.
Howard also acknowledged that “there was a moment” when he felt a connection with the “Dance for You” singer and found himself attracted to her before she began her relationship with Jay-Z.
Beyoncé and the rapper eventually tied the knot in 2008 and share three children together: daughter Blue Ivy, 14, and twins Rumi and Sir, 8.
Howard, on the other hand, has been married four times and is a father of five.
“That was very, very long ago,” the Iron Man actor said while reflecting on his supposed chance to date the global superstar.
Beyoncé previously spoke about the early days of her relationship with Jay-Z during an interview with Oprah Winfrey on OWN. She revealed that their romance started slowly when she was 19.
“We were friends first for a year and a half before we went on any dates,” the singer said. “We were on the phone for a year and a half, and that foundation is so important for a relationship. Just to have someone who you just like is so important, and someone who] is honest.”
In recent years, the couple has continued to keep most details about their personal lives out of the spotlight.
