Superstar Beyonce Knowles has opened up about the controversial split of the original members of pop group DESTINY'S CHILD, insisting she's not to blame for the break-up.
The singer came under fire in 1999 when LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson left the group and filed suit against the group's manager and Knowles' father, Matthew, claiming favouritism.
But the singer insists she was any easy target to blame for their departure - before she and bandmate Kelly Rowland rose to superstardom with new member Michelle Williams.
She says, "It was definitely difficult because I was so young and my father was my manager and the group was like family. I felt like, what are we gonna do? We weren't making any money yet.
"I was the lead singer, so I got the blame... That was the first time I had to deal with rumours and people attacking me. I was an 18-year-old kid, so I didn't understand it was just a part of this life and it wasn't personal. I didn't have a thick skin yet. I was so embarrassed and wanted to defend myself and please everybody."
The Destiny's Child trio eventually parted ways in 2005.