Destiny's Child Never Can Say Goodbye

Wed., Feb. 1, 2006 9:00 AM PST by Gina Serpe

Move over, Cher, Destiny's Child is giving you a run in the longest-goodbye department.

Three months after giving their much hyped "farewell performance" on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Beyoncé & Co. have announced plans to reunite for yet another swan song at the 2006 NBA All-Star game in Houston Feb. 19.

The eight-time Grammy winners are set to sing the national anthem preceding the game, which will be held in their native Houston.

The gig comes on the heels of the group's farewell tour and 2004 album, Destiny Fulfilled. And, of course, that much trumpeted adios performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

On Nov. 15, Kimmel devoted an entire show--a first for the late-night host--to the supposed retirement of Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. The trio performed both indoors and outdoors for a crowd of nearly 1,000 mourning fans flown in from all over the country.

While the threesome billed the show as its final public concert, Rowland hinted during the interview that a reunion wasn't entirely out of the question--it's just that nobody expected it so soon.

"You never know," Rowland said when asked if the group may reteam in the future. "I think the most beautiful thing is that we're not parting because there were problems. We're parting because we're celebrating each other's growth."

Destiny's Child first announced its split last June.

"Now is the time to pursue our personal goals and solo efforts in earnest," the three songstresses said in a statement at the time. "We want to thank all of our fans for their incredible love and support and hope to see you all again as we continue fulfilling our destinies."

For Knowles, that means a role opposite Steve Martin in the remake of The Pink Panther, due in theaters Feb. 10. She's currently filming a movie version of the Broadway musical Dream Girls, about a 1960s all-girl trio, that costars Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx and will then enter the studio this summer to begin work on her follow-up to her multiplatinum solo debut, Dangerously in Love.

Rowland, meanwhile, has her sophomore solo album set for a June 13 release, while Williams' next Christian music project may be out this summer. Both will also be part of sweeps stunts on UPN, with Williams starring in a three-episode arc on Half & Half beginning Feb. 13 and Rowland guesting on the Feb. 20 episode of Girlfriends.

Destiny's Child's All-Star finale will be broadcast on TNT.