TeenToday meets Kelly Rowland

Kelly Rowland’s back: repackaged, rebranded and ready to roll. But can the R&B superstar finally drop her Destiny’s Child past? teentoday.co.uk’s Max Carren tries to find out.

Hello Kelly!
Hi Max

How are you?
I’m fine thank you!

First of all congratulations on your single Like This, its got to No.4 in the chart here this week!
Thank You! I just got that news, I’m so ecstatic!

Your singles always do well here! You have great UK fan base.
Yeah I know, I’m so grateful for that.

I’m loving the video too! I noticed you’ve had a sexy make over in this one
Sexy!? *laughs* You know I get told all the time but I really don’t see it.

Aww! I also love the way you don’t bleach your hair, always keepin’ it real! Makes us feel you are proud to be who you are!
Thank you! I feel that way too

So tell me Kelly, where did the inspiration for the Indian beats in the song come from?
Oh! Polow Da Don produced the track, when I heard it, I was like “where did ya get that sound from!?” *laughs*

What’s Eve to work like with?
Eve is just great to work with!, she will come in the studio and we would just get along and have good time always.

We don’t see you much in the paparazzi pictures that often. Do you just not go out much or just cleverly avoid them ? *laugh*
You know the paparazzi in the UK are actually worse! *laughs* They are everywhere I go, whether its a TV studio or just out.

What’s it like being solo?
Ya know I feel very liberated! I still love DC and I wouldn’t be me with out DC and I love all the girls, Beyoncé is doing her own thing and ya know Michelle is doing very well too!

I do feel you have a lot of potential in you and can go far as Beyoncé, but I get the feeling you’ve held yourself back in a way and not done as much as you could have?
You know you’re right, I feel that way too and I’d like to give my all to my fans in whatever I do. If I’m working on DC, Id like to give my all to that and when I’m doing my own thing, I concentrate on that.

Do you miss your friends?
Yesss! I miss my friends *laughs*

What about love life, do you have a partner?
No, but I did say the last time, that the next time I do, I would keep it to myself *laughs*
*laughs* good answer!

What does this new album have in store?
I feel this album is my best and has a lot to offer and I’ve put a lot into it and I hope the fans appreciate the work.

I heard the initial album was scrapped and started again?
Yes that’s right, the initial album was too full of midtempos and ballads and I wanted to put the youthful side of me on this album, which was missing from the first one.

Ok some novelty questions now! What is your favourite colour?
Oh blue!

Favourite make up brand?
hmmm.. make up brand… MAC!

If you were stuck in a lift for a day, who would you like to be stuck with?
Oh would have to be my best friend!

Ok!, What are the worst things about being a celebrity?
Has to be your privacy!

That’s what everyone says. Is that basically the only thing?
Yeah that would be the main thing

Do you speak to Beyoncé much?
*laughs* of course, just spoke to her before actually!

I heard she’s getting married!?
Errr yeah I heard that one too! It’s always something everyday!

I saw your performance at G-A-Y btw!
Ah! really!?

Yes! I thought you were absolutely fantastic! And your vocals were spot on! I thought your Kylie remark was very smart too! Ya know, it’s not your fault the crowd didn’t know the lyrics at times. I’m a regular there and the club is actually very cheesy pop, they need to broaden their music if you ask me! *laughs*
Thank you, you know I really enjoyed it there; I was kinda nervous backstage at first and then even forgot the lyrics too! *laughs*

*laughs* OK! would you like to do a solo tour at some point?
Definitely, hopefully by the end of the year.

Don’t forget the UK!
Oh the UK will be the first! *laughs*

Thank you very much Kelly!
Thank you.

Ray Answers Your Questions

We didn’t know what to ask Ray Quinn, the X-Factor crooner with the oversized quiff, so we thought we’d let the loyal visitors to teentoday.co.uk email in their questions. Unfortunately no-one bothered, so we asked on his fan forum instead. Here’s what they came up with…If you were stuck in a lift with a celebrity.. who would you least like it to be? Courtney Love If you could be one female for a day.. who would it be and why? Beyoncé, so I could shake my thang!If you were a “fly on the wall” who would you spy on? The Stig from Top Gear to see who he really is!What country would you most like to visit and why? Japan cos they make all mad gadgets. I love em!Are you looking forward to your tour and what will be in store for your fans? (does it have a theme, who is the support act?) Can’t wait. It’s gonna be greaty. Plenty of surprises. You’d be square if you weren’t there!How did it feel to have a number 1 album? It’s the best feeling in the world. I’m very proud.Have you been given any good freebies? No but I’m totally open to any offers.Do you still talk to Simon Cowell? I saw him in LA and hope to see him again soon.Does your quiff have magical powers; would you ever get rid of it? No UNFORTUNATELY NOT, I wish it did then I’d definitely never get rid of it. Can you imagine?

If you had 3 wishes what would they be? I’d fly, be Spiderman for the day, basically be as many superheroes as I could.Will you be doing any shows in Ireland soon? Just did one. I love it there and hope to get back again soon.How many suits / ties do you have? Millions. You wouldn’t even believe.Do you have any phobias? HeightsCan you speak any other languages? ScouseWILL YOU MARRY ME?? :):D Where’s me ring? :pWho is your celebrity crush? Ray Quinn, I hear he works out.What are your top 3 most listened to songs on your ipod? Do you like any other music apart from swing? I’ve lost my ipod but I love loads of other songs from indie to rap to rock. I’ve grown up on swing, it’s just something I enjoy.Ray is supporting World Vision’s School Aid campaign. For more information about World Vision’s School Aid and how you can get involved please visit www.schoolaid.tv.