At the age of 8, Knowles met LaTavia Roberson while in an audition for an all-girl entertainment group. They, along with Knowles’ childhood friend Kelly Rowland, were placed into a group that performed rapping and dancing. Originally named Girl’s Tyme, they were eventually cut down to six members. West coast R&B producer Arne Frager flew into Houston to see them. He eventually brought them to his studio, The Plant Recording Studios, in Northern California with Knowles’ vocals being featured. As part of efforts to sign Girl’s Tyme to a major label record deal, Frager’s strategy was to début them in “Star Search,” the biggest talent show on national TV at the time before “American Idol” and “The Voice.” Girl’s Tyme participated in the competition but lost it because the song they performed was not good, Knowles herself admitted.Knowles had her first “professional setback” after that defeat but regained confidence after learning that pop stars Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake had also had the same experience.
