Kelly Rowland on Her "X Factor" Crew & Fellow Judges

Hey guys, it's Tracy and the Young Hollywood Studio and I am with the gorgeous Kelly Rowland. How are you?

I'm good. Thank you.

We were just talking about, you're like, where am I right now? This is a crazy hotel room. That's not a hotel room.

I know, no, but it's really cool. I like the vibe in here so

Thank you. So, I'm excited that you're here because I'm a huge fan of the X Factor. I've been a huge fan since the beginning. And you are an incredible judge, mentor.

Thank you.

Huge addition to the show. So, is it crazy to you that we're already down to the top 12.

Yes, the the I swear, the time just really happened so fast.

This is intense. I mean, especially I mean besides for the contestants that is probably really hard for you guys and

Yes, it was it was because you know, you I've actually been on that other side where I've received a no. Yeah. You know what I mean? Like I remember doing Star Search years ago when I was about 13, 14 years old and actually going on there and didn't tell any of my friends cuz I didn't want no No, I didn't want nobody to know I was

You didn't know what was going to happen. You know, that reminds me of the girls um the sisters who like didn't tell their parents. Yes right?

Exactly. They were like we're just going. Yeah, they just wanted to see what would happen. Which is smart. Which is smart cuz you don't know what's going to happen in the audition. You just give it a shot. But we went in and we lost. So, we had three stars. The other group had four stars. We were like, oh.

And it was you and Beyoncé doing that, right? And you guys lost? How was that?

We lost. Well, you know what, I always feel like a no prepares you for the future. You know what I mean? There's a reason for a no at the time. You know, whether it's just not that time at that time that specific time or you just it's preparation time.

It's true. So, the judging panel I feel like it's amazing cuz it's you three girls against Simon. Yes. You, Demi, Paulina and Simon. But you've said that Simon is like more of a diva than all of you combined.

Yes.

I have to understand how. I can believe it. I can believe it. Yeah.

I mean just think about it. Just really think about it.

Wait, tell us some like crazy scoop about how is he more

One is like, really his vanity is just more filled up than ours put together. Simon What do you have to do to yourself? Besides the t-shirt. Sunglasses. And he just there, you know, does the thing on his face and thinks about what decisions he should make next and yeah. And his one liners, I mean, where does he I don't know where he gets these one liners from. But and Demi's now starting to mock him. And when she does it, it's so funny. Cuz she she just

She does it during the live show.

Yes, she just pulls some rabbit out of her head. You sound like and she goes into whatever it is he might sound like. She

Living by an airport.

I know. Right. I'm like, where come up with that. Right.

So, are you guys like, you know, when the cameras aren't rolling, are you guys all like super close now?

Absolutely, absolutely. Um, it's so funny cuz last night, Paul and I sat down we were talking and people were walking by cuz they wanted to take pictures and this one woman said, I'm so sorry, I don't mean to interrupt you. And Paul was like, just one second. And we're finishing up our conversation.

You don't interrupt. They're besties talking.

But um no, we we really have bonded. Same with Demi, you know what I mean? We talked all the time and just a good spirit. I swear she's been here before. She's great. She has been on this Earth before. She's wise beyond her years.

It is amazing cuz she is so young as a, you know, judge. Interesting to see her dynamic and her advice.

Absolutely. Absolutely.

So, you know, when you're you know, your contestants, you're the over 25s group. And you have three left. Yes. Which is crazy.

Yes.

So, let's talk about Jeff Gutt because I love him. He's sort of like the only rocker dude on the show.

He is the only rocker. And I love that to be honest. Um, I wanted my category to be diverse. And I think about um, the essence of who Lily is and how she just embodies like

You, I think have like a You have something like a true bond, I feel like with Lily because

I have a true bond.

When she performs, you always cry.

I just always The thing is is Lily has the type of voice that does make you cry. And Lily has one of the most remarkable voices I've ever heard. It's the same thing with Rachel. Rachel is just in uh in the genre of country. You know what I mean? And I'm listening to her thinking there is nobody out here right now. Like with all due respect, I love me some Carrie Underwood. Love me some Shania Twain. Love Taylor Swift all day long. But I feel like there's a space especially for Rachel Potter to completely take over. And um, and the same thing with Jeff. So it's just me really believing in them and knowing their um abilities. So.

So, I want to know just, you know, getting back to Lily, you know, cuz a lot of people say, like I would have thought she is definitely like the her voice is like another level.

Absolutely.

You would think that she very easily could win. But, you know, people are wondering about her image like she has the big hair and like the glitzy dress and, you know, is she sort of, you know, as Simon probably say, current or not current, but how do you, you know, as a mentor, do you keep exactly who she is or are you going to like change her in any way?

You know, it's it's not changing her. It's just watching her evolve. Yeah. You know what I mean? I think that's the most important thing that I look for uh being here is I want to see them evolve. I don't want to change them. I want to watch them grow. And with Lily, it's certain things where, you know, she's 54. She's been doing this a long time and it's a lot of things that she's used to doing in her way. So it's just saying, can we try this? And she's finally embraced it.

If you had to say what the X Factor is, you know, what is it that you are looking for? This has cuz it's obviously, it's a whole package. It's not just the voice.

It is. It is. You know, I I think about the the very vain part of it to be completely honest. Um which is just, you know, the talent, of course, has to be there. But the look and how you are in interviews, how engaging you are with people, the way you communicate, all the how unique you are. All those things are important. But to me, if you have no great work ethic, if you are not passionate, if the only reason why you're here to be famous, please leave. You are wasting our time and the public's time because you have the wrong idea of what this is. This is hard work. This is passion for what you do. You see all these people that are up here. They are artists in some sort of way, whether it's acting, whether it's singing, whether it's journalism, like everybody takes their job seriously and so should you.

Okay, so we have a couple Twitter questions from your fans. So, we had to get we picked two. Um, this is from @LilDuSwag. She wants to know, it's been a while since we've seen you having a big role in a movie. Can we expect any acting soon?

I am working on one right now. Um, I'm not going to say anything else.

There you go.

But I've gotten all of my books, all of my facts and I have to have to have to get this role that I have my heart set on like crazy. But yeah, I'm focused. I'm focused, man.

You heard it here first. Yes. Everybody. Uh, this is from @Christine61501. She wants to know what is your favorite song at the moment?

Favorite song at the moment would probably have to be Roar by Katy Perry. I love that. No because

No, because um there has to be a reason.

There is a reason. Um, a friend of mine sent me her son singing the song. And he's going And the way he's singing it is so darn cute. And so when I went back and listened to the record, all I can hear is him singing it. So it's so cute. Then she's like, my baby can sing. I think he's four or five years old.

Oh, that's so cute.

He's so cute and she's such a great mother. So yeah, it's really cute.

That is so cute. I have to just talk about cuz you look amazing.

Thank you.

By the way, and you're super into fitness and fashion and.

I am. I am.

So, I want to know and you have a fitness DVD and your second one that just came out.

I do. So, sexy abs, cardio sculpt. If you don't have it, you better get it.

I'm testing. I'm gonna get it. I need to learn how to like look like this. So, what are some of your, you know, how do you stay in shape? How do you eat fresh?

Um, Jeanette Jenkins, my trainer has taught me oh so much about fitness, oh so much about nutrition. Oh so much about me liking also what what is good for my body. You know what I mean?

Um so, I really have her to thank and including with this new uh workout DVD sexy abs cardio sculpt, I did all of these moves to prepare myself, you know, just to be able to keep up with myself cuz the schedule gets really crazy.

Yeah, and you need you obviously need the energy to be a performer.

Absolutely. You need to be able to run back and forth across that stage.

So, and then you have a new album that just came out. Talk a Good Game.

Yes, Talk a Good Game came out over this summer.

Yes. And you had like tons of amazing artists that collaborated on it like Wis and

Yes, yes. Wiz was on it. The ladies were on it. Michelle and B.

Wait, okay. So, just for you Destiny's Child fan, there is a song on the album that they sang together. Yes. And I at the beginning of the song, you like started it with some line. You have to do it. Do the line.

Oh my God. It was just so fun. You ready ladies? Yeah. And I And then yes. And I um Play, replay. Yes, cuz No, it's so cool and, you know, we harmonize and then it just feels good. It really feels good. I wanted that that essence of R&B back. And I wanted to have it on my album. All those moments that inspired me the first moments I heard R&B. You know what I mean? I wanted that uh those moments on my album.

And, you know, speaking of inspiring, who, you know, you're a mentor to these contestants. But who was someone that mentored you?

Oh my God. Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson. I saw these women on television. I'm like, oh my God. They look like me. You know what I mean? And they gave me goosebumps and they made me feel like I could do it. You know. So, um, they were fearless. You know, and I I loved watching them.

You can tell, you know, when you guys are on stage, you are fearless.

Thank you. Thank you very much. So, you know, I am just so excited for what's to come on the X Factor.

Thank you.

Me too. You guys get out and vote. Please. Yes, you have to vote. Please. Please. You have to vote and vote for the over 25s, okay? Cuz, you know, we're the ones in the competition with the talent.