Entertainment TV Kelly Rowland Walks Off Today Show Set — and Rita Ora Fills in — After Dressing Room Issue: Source A source tells PEOPLE that the 'Mea Culpa' actress "walked out because she and her team didn't like her dressing room," leading the hit morning show to scramble to find a quick replacement By Dory Jackson Dory Jackson Dory Jackson is an Associate Editor for PEOPLE's digital TV team. While at the brand, she's had the opportunity to interview a long list of celebrities, from Kate Hudson to Pierce Brosnan to Billy Porter. She has also helped recap popular TV shows like 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,' 'Sister Wives' and 'Vanderpump Rules.' The New York-based Maryland native graduated from Randolph-Macon College in May 2016 with a focus on Communication Studies and Journalism. She came to PEOPLE in March 2021 after working at a number of major news companies, including Newsweek and Us Weekly. People Editorial Guidelines Published on February 16, 2024 06:25PM EST Close (L-R) Kelly Rowland and Rita Ora. Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock; Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty A behind-the-scenes mishap led to Kelly Rowland's sudden departure from Today, resulting in Rita Ora stepping in to keep the ball rolling. "Kelly walked out because she and her team didn't like her dressing room," a source tells PEOPLE. "Rita Ora agreed to fill in at the last minute. Many people at the show, inside and outside of the show, were impressed with how great she was." A rep for Rowland did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment, and a rep for Today declined to comment. Beyoncé and Michelle Williams Join Kelly Rowland at Premiere of Her Film Mea Culpa: 'My Best Friend!' (L-R) Hoda Kotb and Rita Ora. Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Page Six was the first to report the news, noting that the "Motivation" singer was a guest on the morning show's 8 a.m. hour. Rowland, 43, was then slated to fill in for Jenna Bush Hager in the fourth hour as guest co-host of Today with Hoda & Jenna. According to the outlet, however, Rowland reportedly requested a green room upstairs, but it was already being occupied by Jennifer Lopez, who was there to promote her new album, This Is Me… Now, and its accompanying Prime Video film. The former Destiny's Child member was unhappy with the dressing room that was being offered so she opted to depart the set last minute, leaving co-host Hoda Kotb to find a replacement. Kelly Rowland attends Beautycon Los Angeles 2023. Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Beautycon Rowland is currently making the rounds in promotion of her new Netflix film, Mea Culpa. Directed by Tyler Perry, the film follows a criminal defense attorney as he takes on the case of a seductive artist accused of murdering his girlfriend, but things soon take a dangerous turn as burning desire seeps in. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Mea Culpa premieres Feb. 23 on Netflix.