Destiny's Child Squash Breakup Rumors; Multi-Platinum Female Vocal Group Plans World Tour for Spring 2002

The following release was issued today by Columbia Records:

Destiny's Child is not disbanding, the group announced today in response to rumors recently reported in the press. Destiny's Child's plans include brand-new albums, a world tour in spring 2002, TV appearances in both the United States and in Europe, and much more in the future.

"We are very much a group, very much together, and plan to be for many years," said Destiny's Child. "We've worked really hard to get to where we are and have been blessed with success and the incredible support of our fans. We're like sisters, we really love and understand each other and have such a great time that we can't even think about breaking up Destiny's Child. We just want to take a little time to work on some things that reflect our individual personalities and we're going to help and support each other with everything we do. We're going to see our fans on our spring world tour and start working on a new group album right after that."

In the meantime, fans of Destiny's Child can look forward to upcoming projects from each of the group members. Beyonce Knowles appears as Foxy Cleopatra in "Austin Powers 3: Goldmember," due in theaters on July 26. Michelle Williams has been recording an album of inspirational music while Kelly Rowland is working up material for an album showcasing her own hybrid of R&B/rock/soul.

Having sold more than 33 million albums and singles worldwide in little more than four years, Destiny's Child is one of the biggest-selling female groups of all time. The group took home the Artist Of The Year trophy at the 2001 Billboard Music Awards ceremony held in Las Vegas on December 4 and also won in the Hot 100 Singles -- Artist Of The Year, Group/Duo, Hot 100 Singles -- Artist Of The Year and Soundtrack Single Of The Year (for "Independent Women Part I" from the "Charlie's Angels" soundtrack) categories.

Destiny's Child has been nominated for Outstanding Duo Or Group (for Survivor) in the upcoming 33rd Annual NAACP Image Awards. The ceremony will air on the FOX Network on March 1, 2002. The group has also been nominated in two categories for this year's American Music Awards: Favorite Album, Pop/Rock (for Survivor) and Favorite Band, Duo or Group, Soul/R&B. The 29th Annual American Music Awards ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC on January 9, 2002.

For the distinction of having more #1 records on the U.S. charts than any girl group in music history, Destiny's Child entered the "Guinness Book Of World Records" in November 2001.

8 Days Of Christmas, the new Destiny's Child holiday album, was released by Music World Music/Columbia Records on October 30, 2001 and is currently climbing the Billboard 200 Album sales chart.

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SOURCE: Columbia Records

Contact: Yvette Noel-Schure of Columbia Records, Media, +1-212-833-4483,
yvette_noel-schure@sonymusic.com, or Anissa Gordon, Music World Music,
Houston, +1-713-772-5175, or Online press - Lisa Linder of Columbia Records,
Online & Emerging Technologies, +1-212-833-6666, lisa_linder@sonymusic.com

Website: http://www.columbiarecords.com/
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