PASADENA, Calif. — Former Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland is billed as the star of the upcoming series “Chasing Destiny,” but she might play second fiddle to her longtime collaborator Frank Gatson.

The duo this week promoted their BET docuseries, in which they will search for the next big female music group, during the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour in Pasadena.

Just don’t call “Chasing Destiny” a reality competition show, Rowland said — even if the network describes it that way. In its press releases, BET has said the hopeful singers “will vie their way to stardom with recording mogul Rowland helping them to find their voice as entertainers.”

Rowland, who will serve as producer, host and mentor on the series set to debut April 5, explained there will not be a judges’ table like “American Idol” and “The Voice.” She wants to document the creation of the group.

“No one has actually gotten a chance to see the journey of a group,” Rowland said. “We actually wanted to have everything documented and cameras following us.”

Gatson will serve as creative director and choreographer on the series. The music industry veteran, who has worked as creative director for Destiny’s Child and Beyonce Knowles and another female group, En Vogue, served as comic relief for the “Chasing Destiny” panel.

“I always thought En Vogue can sing better than Destiny’s Child. She doesn’t agree,” Gatson said, motioning to Rowland. “Those four girls all were lead singers. In Destiny’s Child, they were all lead singers, too, but in En Vogue, they were just amazing because they were put together organically, and I think that’s the thing that’s going to happen with this show.”

“Well, Destiny’s Child was put together organically as well,” Rowland replied. Destiny’s Child consisted of Rowland, Knowles and Michelle Williams.

Gatson barely took a beat: “You’re right. She’s right. I worked with Destiny’s Child, but it’s just one of those things. You don’t want to say who is best and who is not better. I am really upset at En Vogue right now because I was going to get wooden floors with En Vogue, and they broke up, and it pissed me off. So now with Destiny’s Child, I’m so glad. They’re the type of group that never broke up. They’re the type of group that are sisters, they’re friends, they’re professional, and they’re nice. And that’s why they make so much (expletive) money. You understand? Because a lot of people think that show business is about being an (expletive). It’s not. It’s about being sweet. And when you’re sweet, you can last. You understand? Patti LaBelle, that’s a really nice lady. Beyonce, come on. There’s a reason she’s big. There’s a reason that Kelly —thank you, Kelly, for allowing me to be on this damn show.”

For much of the panel, Rowland looked shocked by the things coming out of Gatson’s mouth. He called the syncing of female group members’ menstrual cycles “magical” and said original Destiny’s Child members LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett “messed up the group.”

“Oh, God,” Rowland responded to that one. Looks like “Chasing Destiny” has found its buzz-worthy star.

Brandy returns to series TV

Brandy Norwood doesn’t sing in her new BET series, “Zoe Ever After,” but that isn’t keeping her from releasing new music.

Shortly after the debut of “Zoe Ever After,” the singer released a new single, “Beggin’ & Pleadin,’” on her 4everbrandy Sound Cloud.

“My fans, they’ve been starving for music and they’ve been so patient, so I just felt like we can give them a show. We can give them a song,” she said, adding later. “I have to do music.”

The 36-year-old singer, who starred in “Moesha” for six seasons in the late 1990s, plays a newly single mom who remains friends with her famous boxer ex-husband in “Zoe Ever After.”

‘Being Mary Jane’ renewed

BET has renewed its drama “Being Mary Jane” for a fourth season.

After series star Gabrielle Union pretended to bum rush the stage, BET Networks president of programming Stephen Hill made the announcement this week. He also said the season will go into production later this year in Atlanta.

“My accountant thanks you.” Union cracked.

Mandela miniseries in the works

Laurence Fishburne will star as late South African leader Nelson Mandela in a new BET miniseries set to air in 2016, the network said this week.

Stephen Hill, the network’s chief programming executive, said The six-hour “Madiba” series, based on the books “Conversations with Myself” and “Nelson Mandela: By Himself,” is being made with the cooperation of Mandela’s family.