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Kelly Rowland is all set to perform in Dubai. e+ takes a look at how the singer found her niche beyond Destiny’s Child.

The word ‘bootylicious’ may be synonymous with hot and sexy singer Beyonce Knowles, but Kelly Rowland is in a league of her own.

A part of the Destiny’s Child threesome, one of the biggest girl bands of all time, Kelly knows how it feels to scale the giddy heights of success. At this stage in her career, she can do without Beyonce comparisons as she is on a path to carving her own destiny.

Her fans are in for a treat as Kelly will be performing at the Dubai Tennis Stadium on April 19. Kelly’s first concert in the city has been organised by Radio 1.

After the release of her first album Simply Deep, it took five years for the singer to come out with her second solo album Ms. Kelly. The product, however, fell short of the singer’s expectations. On May 10, Kelly plans to release a tweaked version titled Ms. Kelly: Diva Deluxe, an upbeat collection of five new songs and several funky remixes. Her first single, Work, is expected to be one of the year’s hottest dance clips.

The album is Kelly’s take on the things going on in her life. “The new tracks and remixes definitely showcase a different side of Ms.Kelly – more personal, a little bit more vulnerable, and showcasing my party-girl side,” she said recently .

Ms. Kelly: Diva Deluxe is a digital-only release because Kelly wants to accommodate her vast fan following of internet buffs.

Beyonce angle

Try as she may, Kelly just can’t skirt the issue of Beyonce comparisons. Was she under pressure to chase the same kind of success and become a brand in her own right? She vehemently denies being under any kind of pressure.

“God creates different people for a reason. Everyone will have a different and unique journey and my journey will be different from from everyone else’s,” she told a celebrity website.

Busty attitude

Being in showbiz brings its own insecurities and image issues. Nevertheless, it is a little unusual when a beautiful girl like Kelly undergoes breast enhancement surgery.

Kelly explains that she went from A-cup to B-cup for the sake of fashion.”I wanted to look better in my clothes. I wanted better-fitting tops. I can’t apologise for that.”

Kelly admits that she was just 16 when she first thought about having breast implants, but her mother would have none of it.

Charity work

Charity comes naturally to this R&B diva, but it is not something she likes to talk about. Working with her charity, The Survivor Foundation, is a stress reliever for Kelly.

“My parents, I feel they’ve always been instrumental in making sure that we know how important it is to give back. I feel like the same community that sews a lot into you, whether it’s your character or your faith or just you as a person, as a human being, you have to go back and put that into the community as well,” she says.

Destiny’s Child

With 100 million records sold worldwide, Destiny’s Child are the best-selling girl group of all time. Was it easy for the R&B superstar to drop her Destiny’s Child past?

Kelly admits she was plagued by fears and uncertainty at the start. But then, having been a member of such a popular group has its own advantages. “I feel like it helps me above anything. Destiny’s Child is in my blood and it will forever be in Michelle’s and Beyonce’s blood too,” she says.

Sex appeal

The sudden overdose of sexiness was not evident in Kelly’s Destiny’s Child days nor during the release of her first album. So what’s the secret? Kelly insists it’s all about being more confident.

“It’s just me coming into my own, not only that but being comfortable in my skin,” she says. “Different feelings and characteristics start to unveil themselves as you get older and I guess confidence was definitely one of them.”

Heart matters

Kelly insists she is happily single after breaking off her engagement to US football star Roy Jones. The latest rumours in the tabloids, however, have her dating Big Tank, a hip-hop producer and collaborator on the Ms Kelly album. Kelly is quick to clarify. “We are not dating. It’s funny for some reason, everybody wants to see me dating, so they make up a story.

“Kelly says time and commitment are the keys to a successful relationship. “The No. 1 thing is making time for the things that are important,” she says. “If you want to make time for a relationship, you do. It’s as simple as that.”

New love

The 26-year-old singer loves uploading footage of herself online. She says it gives her fans a chance to see her without all the fanfare. “Fans want to look into your eyes, see your expressions and see what makes you happy.”

Kelly hopes her new album will help her emerge from the shadows of Beyonce and her former band and make her a star in her own right. Given her growing fan following, she should not have much to worry about.

THINGS YOU’D LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT KELLY

• Initial influences: Whitney Houston
• Favourite colour: Blue
• Favourite make-up brand: MAC
• She would like to be stuck in the lift with: Her best friend!
  Worst thing about being a celebrity: Privacy!
• A man she admires: Orlando Bloom
• Thing that attracts her to a man: Colour of his teeth (they have to be white, of course!)
• Worst Destiny’s Child song: Bugaboo
• Best Destiny’s Child song: Say My Name
• Staying healthy: Through exercise and eating healthy. She tries to get as much rest as she can and drinks a lot of water.
• Workout regimen: Cardio and a lot of weights.

CONCERT DETAILS

• The show: Radio 1 brings to Dubai live – Kelly Rowland, Karl Wolf and Abri
• Date: April 19
• Venue: Tennis Stadium, Aviation Club
• Time: 7.30pm; doors open at 5.30pm
• Entry: A total of 8,000 invites were given away to Radio 1 listeners who SMSed the station to participate in a draw.