Using Destiny's Child To Understand Group Dynamics

Group dynamics are a tricky thing. There's always a leader, someone who's grasping for the spotlight, and someone who's ... just there. Using Destiny's Child to figure out the Beyoncé, the Kelly, and the Michelle of the group is a helpful tool in figuring out who holds the power.

The Saturdays

The Saturdays are a British pop group made with members (from left) Una Healy, Frankie Sandford, Vanessa White, Mollie King, and Rochelle Humes.

Vanessa is the clear Beyoncé of the group. She has a voice that would carry easily into a solo career. Rochelle is definitely a powerful singer on her own, but is dwarfed by Vanessa's talent. In videos of their performances, it is clear that Rochelle would not be sad if Vanessa got laryngitis.

Una, Mollie and Frankie are Michelle.

Judd Apatow, Paul Rudd, and Leslie Mann

Judd Apatow, the über-talented egomaniac, is clearly Beyoncé. Paul Rudd is the Kelly, talented in his own right but who definitely owes much of his success to Apatow. Leslie Mann, a hysterical comedian and hugely underrated performer, is Michelle.

The Jonas Brothers

Joe Jonas is the Beyoncé of the group. He and his dreamboat hair helped shoot the group into superstardom. His solo career might not have the same sort of absurd success as the group as a whole, but from the beginning it was clear that Joe was going to shake off that purity ring and set off on his own in time. Nick is a talented singer and musician on his own, possibly better than Joe, and definitely capable of doing more with his career. His appeal to cougars (he's 20 now!) demonstrates his burgeoning sex appeal.

We don't need to get into Kevin. He's the Michelle.

The Olsen Sisters

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen rose into stardom in the 90s, and their talented younger sister Elizabeth Olsen is poised to take over as an indie darling. Despite the twin's lack of spotlight in the last few years, Mary-Kate is still the Beyoncé. Her recent engagement to 43-year old Olivier Sarkozy and the College Humor series "Very Mary-Kate" keep her in focus. Elizabeth has the potential to steal the spotlight from her sisters and has been quite successful on her own--she's Kelly. WTF is going on with Ashley these days? She's Michelle.

Lady Mary, Lady Edith, and Lady Sybil

What's better to look at than the group dynamics of these three sisters? Lady Mary, the pretty egomaniac, is definitely Beyoncé. Lady Sybil (RIP) is enterprising and interesting, she's definitely Kelly. And Lady Edith... poor Lady Edith... she's Michelle.

President Obama, Vice President Biden, and Former Secretary Clinton

i2.cdn.turner.com

Secretary Clinton maintained a ridiculously high approval rating throughout her tenure as Secretary of State, proving her star power. At the end of her run, she faced a hugely public hearing on Benghazi (just when Beyoncé was being criticized for lip-syncing! Coincidence?), but still came out a boss. She's Beyoncé. President Obama maintains his own spotlight, though he must fight tooth-and-nail for it-- he's definitely the Kelly. Vice President Biden gets to do whatever and is awesome at that, so he's Michelle (and we love that about him).

Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan and Alec Baldwin of 30 Rock

They're all Beyoncé.