2007 Rewind - Kelly Rowland: On My Own

Published Sunday, January 06, 2008 9:00 AM

By: Nia B for allhiphop.com

The last decade has beenan extremely successful time for Kelly Rowland. Being part of the hit trioDestiny’s Child has garnered her accolades as an R&B solo artist,songwriter, actress and four-time Grammy Award winner. Over the years, Kellyhas gracefully matured from a teenage girl into a beautiful Southern bombshell.She’s shown us that she’s not afraid to try new things or stand on her own.

Since the disbandment of Destiny’s Child in 2006, Kelly has taken advantage ofher time by seeking growth as a woman first, and artist second. We spoke toKelly about her sophomore solo album Ms. Kelly, got her thoughts onvarious topics from plastic surgery to the rumor mill, and found out how itgoes down when things get personal.

AllHipHop.com Alternatives: How have you been?

Kelly Rowland: Good, I can’t complain.

AHHA: What is it like being on your own without [Destiny’s Child]?

Kelly: I have to say that right now I’m really enjoying this space by myself.In the beginning, I wasn’t sure how I was going to handle it because it wastowards the end of the Destiny’s Fulfilled Tour; right when we had made thedecision to break away. I remember being a little sad, even when I was at homeby myself, I was really sad. But, I had to tell myself, “You know what Kelly?Life has change. You have to have growth. You just have to embrace it and gofor it. Make another record.” And that’s what I did.

AHHA: How have you stayed so fit?

Kelly: Thank my grandmother for her great genes! My mother has hips and extrahiney and she likes it. However I’d rather look like my grandmother. She’sabout 77 and she’s my size. She looks good. She has beautiful skin. She has acute figure. I thank God for her genes.

AHHA: What made you switch from short hair to long hair?

Kelly: I just wanted to try something different. I was actually scared that itwould look crazy, but I was really excited when I tried it because it looksjust like I wanted it to. I love Sarah Jessica Parker’s hair. That’s my hairicon. I try to find styles similar to people who have a face like mine. I sawhers and I liked her hair and I thought I’d try it.

AHHA: How important is image to you?

Kelly: To everyone else it’s real important. It does pay a huge role in yourcareer. You can’t walk out the house looking a mess. You’ll log onAllHipHop.com rumors section and find yourself looking crazy, but that won’t beme! [laughs]

AHHA: How do you feel about plastic surgery?

Kelly: If that’s what you do, do it. I know if something is falling off of me,I’m going to pick it up. The older I get, if it’s falling, I’m going to pick itup. It’s an option just like extensions are!

AHHA: So if you could change anything, what would it be?

Kelly: I would laser off a little stretch mark I have on the back of my knee.It’s something I inherited. I put make up on it. Thank God for make up, it’s anoption! ¬

AHHA: Tell us about the foundation you have with the Knowles – Rowland Centerfor Youth?

Kelly Rowland: It’s a Survivor foundation with me, Beyoncé and her family. Wecontributed to building a youth center for our church. Also a shelter calledthe Knowles Rowland Temenos Apartments. I remember after Katrina, our churchwas talking about how we wanted to build a shelter for those who had beenaffected by Katrina and other life changing events that moved to Houston -especially for people who were moved to Houston and couldn’t rebuild theirlives back up. It’s a place for people to come to and start all over again. Itfeels really good to be a part of it. I can’t wait for the groundbreaking whichis really soon.

AHHA: Anything else that you do within the community?

Kelly: I do a lot of work with my church, St. John United Methodist Church. Itfeels good to be a part of a church family that does so much for the community.It’s funny, because you can walk into so many different churches, but when Iwalked into this one it just felt like home. I love our church family and beinga part of it.

AHHA: You’re still living in Houston?

Kelly: No, I live in Miami. I love living in Miami. It’s a lot of energy - itfeels good to receive the support from the people in Miami. It’s a great placeto live for me.

AHHA: What’s going on with the acting career? Can we expect to see you in ontelevision or in another movie any time soon?

Kelly: I sure hope so. It seems like everything keeps coming while I’m doing promotionfor my new record. But, I think that what’s for me will be. That’s somethingthat nobody can change.

AHHA: How’s your promotional tour been going so far?

Kelly: It’s been going well. I’m just out letting everyone know about my album,Ms. Kelly that is out June 26th. I am so excited about this record. It’staken a year and a half to complete. I know I’ve been giving everybody twodifferent due dates but now I finally have one.

AHHA: Tell me what’s different with this record in contrast to the last?

Kelly: The last record was a pop-alternative record with a dash of R&B. Mynew album is more R&B album but it also has some pop influence as well.It’s an R&B/ pop record. It’s still very urban.

AHHA: What made you choose an alternative R&B style on your first album?

Kelly: I wanted to try something different. Sometimes as an artist, you want totry something different. Like one morning, I woke up wanting to do an albumthat had a Sade feel to it. Instead of doing an entire album sounding like Sade,I’ve learned to balance it out and put hints in it. I have a song with a Sadefeel to it. It’s called “Better Without You.” She’s a person who inspired me.Therefore, I got to pay homage. I love her.

AHHA: Your new single with Eve is starting to pick up. How did two hook up?

Kelly: I’ve known Eve for a long time. She was on a TRL tour with Destiny’sChild a while ago. When we did the first drafts for my album, it didn’t comeout the way that I wanted it to. I liked it but I still wasn’t crazy about it.I love Eve and I wanted to do a single with her. I didn’t care if it was thefirst, second, or third single. I just wanted it to be one of my singles. SeanGarrett brings this record in. We started to write together and flowing off ofeach other. I told him, “I see Eve on this,” because it needed an MC feel toit. She did the record the next day. It came out hot!

AHHA: Who else is on the album?

Kelly: Snoop and Tank.

AHHA: Is your song with Tank a ballad?

Kelly: Yes. It’s a song called “The Show” and he’s singing like he wants everywoman on earth.

AHHA: Who are some of the producers that you’ve worked with on this album?

Kelly: Scott Storch, these up and coming producers from L.A. named Kenny &Charlie who set the foundation for the record, and Billy Mann. The writers areSean Garrett, Solange Knowles, Lonnie Burrell and me.

AHHA: You did some writing as well?

Kelly: Yes. A lot of times I give credit to so many other people for writingand they’re like, “Kelly, you know you did some writing on this record too”.

AHHA: How do you go about choosing who will be on your album as far as writersand producers?

Kelly: I’ll think about who I want to work with first. Then I have help fromA&R as well. If there is some new producer somewhere and know that I wantto try something new then I’m like, “Let’s get them.” It’s important to searchfor that new talent. For example, Timbaland wasn’t always Timbaland. He’sworked under someone else at one point in time and eventually stood on his own.It takes a lot of courage to do it, because it can be a hit or miss.

AHHA: You’ve toured all over the world, what has been your most memorableplace?

Kelly: I’d have to say Australia. I shot a video there and it was so beautiful.It was right by the water. It was awesome.

AHHA: What was it like when you heard the crazy rumor that you were hiding thatMathew Knowles was your dad?

Kelly: We knew it was coming because I call him my dad. Someone once said welook a like. I’m blessed. I have three parents: my mother Doris, momma T (TinaKnowles) and dad (Matthew Knowles) – thank you Jesus for three parents. Someoneheard me call him “Dad” and that started it. I’m not worried about it becauseit’s not true. I happen to be in a unique situation. I don’t know my biologicalfather and I don’t know where he is. God does put people in your lives for areason and I thank God for him. He filled the void.

AHHA: How do you feel when you here rumors about yourself?

Kelly: I have learned to develop thick skin. Opinions are like butt holes;everyone has one. It doesn’t bother me now. But when you talk about my family,I’m ready to fight.

AHHA: How do you feel about your personal life being in the public? Forexample, your situation with your former fiancé Roy Williams where you letpeople know what was going on between you two, and then things not panning outas planned.

Kelly: My personal life is personal. [laughs] I’m not talking about anythingpersonal anymore not with relationships or whatever. I’ll spring up on everybodylike, “I’m married”, and I’m not anywhere near being married. With everybodyelse knowing everything, you have to keep something to yourself. That’s whatthat relationship taught me. It was a learning lesson. If I could do it allover again, I would do things totally different, but everything happens for areason. Now I have an extra bit of knowledge!

AHHA: Are you single?

Kelly: I’m single; I’m doing a little bit of dating. I don’t want to dateanyone in the industry. I just want a regular hardworking man with goals! I’vebeen through the stages with someone in the industry thinking they wouldunderstand my schedule. I know there’s a man out there waiting to treat meright who will be with me along the way, and I’ll love him back just the same. Ijust have a unique schedule and right now just isn’t the time. The timing hasto be right. I think eventually he will show. And we’ll be [sings] so happytogether!

AHHA: Well I’m not sure how often you check our rumors section, but Illseedrecently made mention of your latest promo work on your new album and that hehas a huge crush on you!

Kelly: Tell him I said hello. He’s a regular hard working man! I like that.

AHHA: How did it feel to see your former Destiny’s child band mate LaToya takeon a solo career do her thing?

Kelly: I am proud of her. I spoke to her just recently. She’s doing big thingsand I am so proud of her. She has an album and her fabulous store, Lady Elle,and she’s just doing big things! I am just so proud.

AHHA: Do you talk to LaTavia?

Kelly: I wish I could hear from her just to know that she’s doing alright. LastI heard she was writing. She’s a good writer and a very good actress. I wishher the best.

AHHA: What’s in the future for you Kelly?

Kelly: Hopefully, selling a lot of records. I put together a good album. I loveit. I can’t wait to tour. Maybe a family; I am really ready to be someone’swife, and I’m ready to have children. I give myself about five years or so.