Kelly Rowland finally on her own
By Elle Halliwell
From:The Sunday Telegraph February 27, 2010 6:57PMSHE was a Survivor and an Independent Woman as part of Destiny’s Child, but only now can Kelly Rowland can really lay claim to solo success.
“I have new management, a new label and, you know, everything is really ‘for me’, and I love that,” Rowland says.
It’s been an intense five years for Rowland, 29, who has pursued a solo career since parting ways with former band mates Beyonce and Michelle Williams in 2005.
Just days before her arrival in Sydney for the Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras party this Saturday, Rowland spoke to Insider on her life post-Destiny’s Child.
“When you think about the history of girl groups – I won’t say all, but some – which are the stories we always hear about? Some aren’t the best-ending situations,” she says.
“But with Destiny’s Child, we did a great job of supporting each other and being there and still remaining close, so that’s what I’m most proud of us for.”
Rowland, who in the group played second fiddle to Beyonce, is now breaking free of her R&B roots and delving into the dance genre. And the move has already paid off.
The hit dance single she co-produced with French DJ David Guetta, When Love Takes Over, topped the music charts in the UK and throughout Europe and scored the duo Grammy awards last month.
“David and I will be in Australia together so I’m hoping we’re going to get a chance to get in the studio and make some more magic while were there,” she says.
Guetta and Rowland will be among the slew of celebrities heading to the annual Mardi Gras event, a party which counts Olivia Newton-John, the Village People and Kylie and Dannii Minogue among the artists to perform since it began in the early 1980s.
“You never know what you’re going to see and how creative everything is – which I’m sure it will be – so I’m excited. Does everybody dress up a bit?”
Yes, we reply. “See, that’s going to be fun; that’s inspiration to me.”
Rowland says her gay fan base exploded after the release of When Love Takes Over.
“It’s so funny because all of my friends that are gay absolutely loved the record and said, ‘Oh my God honey, you have no idea what you’ve done to your gay world now’.
“I’m so happy because I just make music for everybody to love, and When Love Takes Over is a record that everybody loves.”
Atlanta-born Rowland has just finished recording her third album, which is expected to have a strong dance component and will be released later this year. It is reported to feature collaborations with her close friend Nelly, with whom she released the number-one single Dilemma in 2003, and US rapper Akon, with whom she will perform next month at Australian music tour, The Jamfest. “Akon and I both had top records with David (Guetta) so there’s great history there,” she says.
As for future working partnerships, Rowland has a few artists in mind.
“I would love to do collaborations with Fergie and Pink,” she says. “They’re such great positive female role models.
Aside from her musical partnerships, the star says she prefers to stay solo in her private life: “I really am enjoying single life”.
Rowland, who has been romantically linked to US NFL player Roy Williams and British footballer Kieran Richardson, says she’s been too busy with her upcoming album and newly-founded charity, I Heart My Girlfriends, to think about much else.
She says the charity, launched this year, aims to support and educate young girls about self-esteem, abstinence, physical education and drug and alcohol avoidance.
Despite her solo success, Rowland is philosophical about the possibility of a Destiny’s Child reunion.
“Right now it’s not our number-one topic of conversation when we see each other, you know, but I think the most important thing is our love and support for each other.”
Kelly Rowland will appear at the Mardi Gras party at the Entertainment Quarter on March 6. For tickets go to www.mardigras.org.au
She will also perform at The Jamfest at Acer Arena on April 15. For tickets go to www.tickettek.com.au or call 132 849.
Special thanks to Stefan (NRNET) for finding and sharing this information.
thats my gurl – im glad they are finally realizing her talent as an individual and i know she has more in store in the years to come!!!!!
I wish people lay off the “Destiny’s child reunion” questions. Its obvious beyonce is focused on being a solo icon not a group member. Also, I don’t want a reunion for the simple fact kelly and Michelle haven’t cemented their place in the music industry as solo stars yet. They don’t need nor want to be in the shawdow of DC’s lead singer for the rest of their career. They are out to prove they are not just backup singers/dancers and I agree. Kelly clearly outshined her bandmate on their last album vocally and in dancing however it appeared as if she didn’t because beyonce got all the dramatic parts of the songs except in “bad habbit”. Not to mention she got 4 solo sets on their tour which made it kinda seem like it was her tour since she sung lead on all the DC songs anyway. I’m still upset about that but Kelly I love you and will always support you!
attention all kelly fans – thatgrapejuice.net has a new cover song that was recorded by ms kelly – how deep is your love ( she sings it on all of her set performances) the song is so beautiful and fits her voice perfectly
http://thatgrapejuice.net/2010/02/song-kelly-rowland-how-deep-love-ft-michael-buble/#comment-87577
girl i ve alwyas admired u keep it up ,ure my role model
LOVE HER TO DEATH…SHE HAS CAME A LONG WAY AND HAS INSPIRED ME TO DO GREAT THINGS NOT TO MENTION HER ENERGY WHEN PERFORMING “OMG, JUST LOVE IT”…I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE YEAR FOR KELLY
imma bout to complete my first degree in theatre n drama n i know kelly will make me conclude this year( in may ) with a high note. LADIES N GENTLEMEN KELLY’S BACK OR AS BEYONCE SAID IT IN BET 2007 LADIES N GENTLEMEN KELLY ROWLAND! GET UP BABY SHOW THEM WHO YOU ARE! NOW I TOLD YA. I WAS GONNA BUMP LIKE THIS…………………… YA YOU DIN’T THINK……