Kelly Rowland ‘Talks A Good Game’ For Essence: ‘I Could Have Been Tougher’

Published: Wednesday 31st Jul 2013 by David

Kelly Rowland beams for Constance C. R. WhiteEssence Magazine‘ this month, joining their mag in unveiling their September issue.

To be released as part of the promo package for her ‘X Factor USA’ gig, her spread births a number of quotes that sees Kelly speak just as freely as she did on ‘Dirty Laundry‘, revealing she could have been braver when dealing with past woes.

More below…

Released as her new LP ‘Talk A Good Game’ makes its way to 200k, one quote from Rowland reads:

“I didn’t want anybody to judge me (on ‘Laundry’). But now I don’t care. Judge me if you want to. And as a matter of fact, it won’t even count, ‘cause the only person who can judge is God.”

She goes on to share:

“For a long time I wasn’t happy, but that had nothing to do with Beyoncé.That had to do with me trying to get my life in order and make better decisions for myself. I’m seeing all these wonderful things happen for her and I am happy for her. But I want a path. I want things to pop off for me, too. Not on her level but whatever my level is supposed to be.”

Read more here!

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  1. Liam July 31, 2013

    “Whatever my level is suppose to be” i love kelly but that quote alone…makes me think she is not 100% sure of herself! probably how i’m understanding it lol….but i’m happy for her and success

    • Mark111 July 31, 2013

      I took is as she don’t want a Bey level, but her own, even if it’s just in the R&B realm. People don’t see Kelly as “Hey, she the top 5 R&B chic right now and has been for a few years.” All they see is “she’s not doing what Bey is doing, so she’s a flop.” But she will never be on that level, but she can be a force in R&B. She wants her own lane, not Bey’s.

      • Sarah July 31, 2013

        Exactly! Well said!! She is 100% with herself…but at the time she wanted her OWN path..and now she has it”

      • Liam July 31, 2013

        yea i understood that part evetually lol

  2. Frothy July 31, 2013

    Nice

  3. Leena July 31, 2013

    Talk a good game climbing towards 200k!

  4. Mark111 July 31, 2013

    Call me crazy, but if her and Ciara slowly push and surport their albums, they can get to gold if not plat. What happened to the days of supporting your project for a least a year. Even if they sell a minimum of 10k a week, it will go gold in a year. If they don’t support their albums, then I won’t buy another one.

    • Dave July 31, 2013

      YES! I been sayin this for he longest. They have really GREAT albums, but after 1st week, they always seem to let go. And these albums are REALLY good.

  5. rita ora album is not even paltinum in the uk July 31, 2013

    even with all the makeup, hair weave, airbrushing, nose job and b*** implants……she is still a very ugly, unsexy girl.

    C millan
    Rita whora
    Ciara
    Rih
    Bey
    Cassie
    Meagan good
    Halle berry
    Zoe saldana
    Taz angels.

    are so much prettier than her.

    • Mark111 July 31, 2013

      Those are lies. Kelly is up there. Whora looks like a man to me, something about her isn’t right, is she black, is she white? Bey is aging really bad, Millan isn’t even black.

    • rita ora album is not even paltinum in the uk July 31, 2013

      and boob job too. Millian is afro cuban mixed. If Halle is considered black, then so is millan. Rita whora may look like a man, but when she gets glammed up at photoshoots etc SHE LOOKS WAY BETTER THAN KELLY. Kelly is not in any mans top 10. The only black women to be considered s*** are Stacey dash, halle, zoe saldana, thandie newton, rihanna and beyonce. Kelly has never been a s** symbol.

      And kelly is not f****** with Latina’s like JLO, eva mendes , eva longoria, jessica alba, selena gomez etc

      • Mark111 July 31, 2013

        More lies. Every time I hear someone talk about Kelly, they always say beautiful, loving her skin tone. I never heard someone say Kelly is ugly, maybe back in the DC 90’s days. And you lost of cred when you mentioned Eva Longoria, have you seen her face without 2 inch layers of makeup? Gomez has a 12 year old face and as she age, her head shape won’t be cute at all.

      • coolness July 31, 2013

        Sad that you maligned Kelly’s gorgeous looks and even worse that you limited the views of black beauty to those light-skinned women. Not that they’re not beautiful but Kelly is stunning on her own and represents chocolate coloured women well in the media. I love Bey and Rih and those other women are great but they’re not the only standards of black beauty.

      • Dev July 31, 2013

        Berry had a nose job before fame and C. Milians, Ciara, Megan’s & Bey’s boobs i doubt are real so they should get wiped off the list as I’m all for women who work with what god gave them, but i guess its all a matter of preference i may not find them attractive but there will be someone who does

      • Drew July 31, 2013

        Beyoncé hasn’t had a boob job. She never had noticeable boobs and still doesn’t. Her boobs got huge when she was pregnant and then went down again a few months after.

  6. zaria July 31, 2013

    really essence?? kelly is ya covergirl?? i guess that was decided BEFORE her opening week sales…..

  7. Cream July 31, 2013

    She look damn ugly

  8. Chile Please!! July 31, 2013

    I love Love LOOOOOOOOOOOVE Kelly, but it’s just too much going on for me in this pic….the hair is a mess, too many accessories, & LAWD THE MAKE UP!! Still my b**** though…I’ll take her over her Cowardly Lion wig wearing ex-group member.

    • rita ora album is not even paltinum in the uk July 31, 2013

      LOL LOL true dat true dat

    • Fierce & all July 31, 2013

      Her hair looks nice to me. Far from a mess.

    • Dev July 31, 2013

      You’re right. It’s amateurish and they must’ve had a job lot of left over fashion fair make up

  9. rowland stone July 31, 2013

    AMAZING!!! Can’t wait for this. All the pics taken for this shoot are just breathtaking.

  10. The Boy Toy July 31, 2013

    Sigh….Kelly I want to rock with you, but you aren’t rocking with yourself.

    • Sarah July 31, 2013

      You must be blind..and if not blind..you must just be crazy..Cuz all Kelly has been doing is rockign and building her own brand and making her path! Go Kelly!!

      • ME July 31, 2013

        agreed.

  11. Jessy July 31, 2013

    I used to feel the same way about my cuzin so i understand exactly where she is coming from!It’s not about reaching their level it’s about reaching YOUR Level! Much love to you Kelly! Keep up the good work

  12. rita ora album is not even paltinum in the uk July 31, 2013

    She looks like a horse and has a huge JAY LENO chin. SHE IS UGLY AND S*** AND it not just cos she is dark.

    • Chillin July 31, 2013

      OK..are you happy now? You got it off your chest

  13. Chillin July 31, 2013

    Stunning! Do you Kelly! Like she said..she could give a flying f*** (in my words) what you haters say..she is doing her and only God can judge!

    • MuiMui July 31, 2013

      Kelly looks great on the cover to me,what i need to know is why are people so Forgiving of Kelly and beat on Rihanna like shes a Set of Drums.

      I See Kelly in her own lane doing her own thing, same as Rihanna, but why is Rihanna compared to Beyonce and Kelly isn’t. Why do people look over how good she can dance and move just like Beyonce Yet she is not in the power struggle and never ever compared to Beyonce.

      Kelly is single and just because she don’t broadcast her business ,why is she still single? and yet people want Rihanna to get hooked up.just thinking out loud i suppose,no need to answer me because i already know the answer.

  14. really? July 31, 2013

    “as her new LP ‘Talk A Good Game’ makes its way to 200k”
    Gurl please… Its not even close!

  15. ratedxxx(tic toc) July 31, 2013

    how is kelly a flop she sold over 84 million records world wide

    she has 4 grammys, multiple billboard awards and so on..

    yes I’m using destiny’s child numbers..because apparently destiny’s child is the only group who can use their group sales and achievements as a solo artist..

  16. rita ora album is not even paltinum in the uk July 31, 2013

    LOL LOL that had be cracking up. 84 million records? go head kelly…….

    • Beyawnce July 31, 2013

      Including DC’s sales stupid

  17. Diamond Princess July 31, 2013

    “Whatever my level is supposed to be” WOW! I sorta get where she’s coming from but it will be looked upon as her just being weak and accepting defeat. Shame on ya’ll that say she can never be on beyonce’s level but be on top of r&b. What kind of half ass compliment is that? I’ll tell you right now why she’s not looked upon as having “super star status,” b/c she’s not light skinned, blonde haired, or have white features. Sadly some of you are the same skin tone as Kelly but worship beyonce your oppressor. Instead of encouraging ppl just like you to win you’d rather stay in the shadows and live vicariously througj someone else. PATHETIC!

    • MuiMui July 31, 2013

      Such a good read and to me color is a factor that people
      has to learn how to be Over Comers to succeed. There are many people of color who has made it big.
      Perhaps Kelly is happy just as she is,and could care less about being bigger then she is already.She was good in that Movie Seat Warmer.

      Tell you what there is no way i would have backed up one of the biggest girl groups and still be seen as struggling.Maybe her 18 Million is money that will be well spent and shes happy,because many people are just happy with a bank roll like Kelly has and could care less about amassing the money Beyonce has made in her career,and is still working hard on making even more paper.

      And mind you Beyonce is working just as hard now in 2013
      as she did when DC was together. People work because they are driven to be on top and ahead of the game while others live their lives happy just as they are and doing a little just to stay afloat.

      • MuiMui July 31, 2013

        While Rihanna on the other hand,the most hated female on the blogs has amassed a net worth of over 90 Million and people love saying shes not on Beyonce level, lmao.
        How many people beside Rihanna who isn’t on Beyonce level? And Rihanna has already made over 50 Million on tour and its not over with.
        Wishing Kelly nothing but the best….

  18. CiaraForEver July 31, 2013

    She looks ugly on the cover. Ciara would’ve did that better.

    • Beyawnce July 31, 2013

      Nobody wants ciara on there cover

    • Stawp Thiefing July 31, 2013

      Ciara is on Groupon’s cover. Go support her over there. She’s the new “cover girl” for their website

  19. ratedxxx(tic toc) July 31, 2013

    let’s keep it real..kelly only releases albums to promote her sister….I’ve yet seen kelly do an interview without, my sister this my sister that…

    I remember she had several major interviews for the here Iam album…

    they ask kelly, what makes this album better than your last album, well me and my sister were talking and my sister……..

    kelly how do you feel about motivation success, i feel like when my sister dropped single ladies, single ladies had a huge impact

    every interview,,,,,,

    now with this new album she’s doing the same thing..

    that’s why alot of people are turn off by her..she has zero self esteem, her whole life revolves around other people..

    this album, she could have just focus on the domestic issue she went through..hell no, her sister is the main issue as usual

    • MuiMui July 31, 2013

      I appreciate reading your insight it is clear and right on time and speaks volumes to the truth about how Kelly promotes her sister more than their other sister Solange.
      And this going on with Kelly and her career goals also speaks volumes to where Rihanna has traveled from to get to where she is.
      And to telly you the truth they can fall back off Rihanna because shes doing the best she can and is not compared to Kelly or Michelle ever and both of them are older than her but Rihanna is always compared to Beyonce and all a person has to do is read between the lines.

  20. ratedxxx(tic toc) July 31, 2013

    being light skin or dark skin aint got s*** to do with kelly only settling for just good enough….

    she has been out as a solo artist since 2002, what has she accomplished,,as a solo artist?

    she came from the biggest girl group..and yet keyshia cole, fantasia, who has less fans than her, all managed to make huge impacts in the r&b world..

    she had a lot of people rooting for her when she finally dropped matthew and had major songwriters and music producers backing her…

    instead of using those song writers, music producers, she rather promote everybody else than her own damn self

    don’t get mad at the so call haters…ask kelly why she rather settled to be second best

    • MuiMui July 31, 2013

      You are right about color because if that be the case there are to many to count who has made it big and they are not light,bright dam near white.

      And on the same token there are many who are white,and there are the really light who are not doing nothing with their careers.

      Many artist who are talented and look white are not doing it big in the game i wonder if they even care,are maybe they just are not wanting to make all the money there is to make.
      After all there is more to life then,Money, like Health for instance.

  21. really? July 31, 2013

    Light skinned Vs Dark skinned? When will that stop being the excuse? If that were the case Michelle Williams would be selling more albums than Kelly. Michelle knows her place in the business and does not try to be anything she’s not. Kelly on the other hand…. as much success as she has gotten, I can understand that she’s not satisfied, but she’s being a whiny brat.

  22. rita ora album is not even paltinum in the uk July 31, 2013

    She is dark

    She is from the color struck south

    She had to live under Creole beyonce and her color struck family

    No wonder……….

    • Kyle July 31, 2013

      You sound like a fugitive s****.

  23. Diamond Princess July 31, 2013

    I am not defending Kelly Rowland or trashing her, just stating FACTS! She does talk about beyonce too damn much FACT! She should have pushed herself to be more successful FACT! She has more than enough potential to be a super star FACT! She clearly doesn’t believe in herself or enough to achieve greatness/ surpass her potential FACT! Hollywood and apparently inferior blacks don’t think a dark skinned girl can succeed FACT! I never once called anyone a hater, if that’s what you thought I implied than you must have a guilty conscience, don’t put that s*** on me!! PLEASE get out ya feelings!

    • My first love July 31, 2013

      You either dumb or stupid?? They was one of the biggest selling girl groups of all times so of course they are always going to ask about the other girls.. That’s where she started from.. If Oprah do a interview on her, where do you think they are going to start at dummy?? And they are going to bring up Tina and daddy mat who she was living with.. I can’t with yall cause y’all sound stupid is hell saying she needs to to talking about the girls in her interview when she lived with them, started a groupe with them.. Y’all act like the whole interview is about the girls..

      • Diamond Princess July 31, 2013

        I can’t believe I’m responding to this because CLEARLY you’re an adolescent who probably hasn’t begun puberty. Throwing around words like stupid and dumb (which has the same meaning I might add is redundant, that makes you “stupid”) has no merit when you don’t have FACTS to back them up. It does not matter she was in a group with beyonce she does not have to do an interview talking about her all the time. STOP LYING interviewers don’t always ask about her or DC kelly “intentionally” brings it up on a lot of interviews. And if she doesn’t she could kindly say I wish not to speak about others or keep her answers short so they get the picture. Quite honestly it’s insulting if an interviewer asks you about other things that you’re not there for, clearly they don’t care to know more about you. Whitney, Mariah, even beyonce have shut that s*** down. Why can’t kelly?

    • My first love July 31, 2013

      Im a grown woman boo.. Like I said she are going to be asked about the other girls forever cause that’s where she started from.. When you have a interview you go back to your roots.. You saying she can give a short answer but if she did then you and others would still have a problem.. Like I said and I’m going to say again.. I’ve seen interviews without her talking about Beyonce.. I’ve just seen Michelle just did and interview talking about the girls.. Get a life

  24. Molly July 31, 2013

    She been giving me t***** tease lately

  25. Diamond Princess July 31, 2013

    Oh Please! No one said every light skinned person could succeed but it is easier for them. You can’t be a dark skinned chick or man in this business and be untalented WAKE The F&@! UP!!! But you can be white or light skinned and have no talent but be considered cool or pretty and make it (see rihanna, lauren london, ashanti, kim k, amber rose, etc). This s*** isn’t new.Ya’ll know damn well light skinned ppl are considered “the more marketable blacks,” if not then you’re too young and naive. Ppl like stevie wonder, the jacksons, james brown, and other greats had to work twice as hard to be considered just as good as their counterparts. Slavery mentality and discrimination is FAR from over you illogical morons! Please go somewhere read a history book, read what’s going on in the current news and then come back and talk. Until then don’t say s*** else!!!!

  26. Rihanna # 1 Fan T July 31, 2013

    essence magazine is probably desperate….

  27. Navy Nick July 31, 2013

    KELLYS ALBUM IS AMAZING THO! PURE R&B AMAZING!!! say what ya’ want, MARK said it perfectly: she wants her own lane, she aitn gotta b compared to Beyonce all the time, they are 2 different people! I LOVE THEM ALL!

  28. POP ROYALTY (F*** Yeah Rihanna) July 31, 2013

    Wish She Love Herself More and To be Confident in her own Self MORE.

    Anyway, She’s My Favorite Dance Diva. 😀

  29. Real love July 31, 2013

    Are you a r*****?? I’ve seen Kelly do interviews and not talk about the girls… People needs to recognize that they will always ask about the girl.. 1 they was in a group together and that’s where they came from.. 2 they was one of the biggest selling girl group of all times.. When TLC do solo interviews (guess what) they ask about the girls.. Grow up Kelly can talk about whoever and whatever she want.. Even if she never be on Beyonce level which she are not trying to be, she still is set for life.. People like you is the problem only thinking about yourself.. You seems like the type of people that will come out the projects get rich and never look back from where you came from.. And god dont like that…

  30. Black kupid July 31, 2013

    Am a die hard kelly rowland fan! But let’s face it, the girl has never wanted it as bad as Bey, rih, nikky or gaga e.t.c these are the new crop of pop star who are successful and ve pulled all kinds of strings to make it to where they are 2day. Kelly could get almost if not equally successful as the afore mentioned big names, all she need do is trash her girl next door/ am 2 sweet image and she is well on her way. An 4 those calling her Ugly! Trudt me there is only 1 girl in the whole of DC lineup that is as beautiful as kelly if not more is Latoya, everybody was basic at best including the overglorified beyonce

    • Just To Say July 31, 2013

      I like Kelly but she is not beautiful she looks like a horse. Beyonces been beautiful since a child. But some of the makeup and hair they wore in early DC was trash! Whitney Houston Gabriel Union are examples of beautiful dark skinned women.

  31. Real love July 31, 2013

    Felt like I needed to get that off my chest.. But I love the hair and can’t wait for this in sept. Kelly has been in her own lane for the past 2 years get with it…

  32. truth teller July 31, 2013

    Kelly please stop the wigs! You are far too pretty for that trash. The curly weave suits you a lot better or your natural shot hair. Go and have a look at the video when you performed live at Starfloor in France a few years ago. That was really sexu and stylish. Stop the wigs and silly fringes. Only saying this because I really like you and I even bought 3 copies of your album. Pretty girl, but don’t settle for cheap hair styles. Love you lots.

    • shisha July 31, 2013

      Women and wigs personal preference! She looks good, bottom line! I love the way she shakes her hair when performing! Weaves, wigs all the same one is a more convenient just put it on and go!

  33. Black kupid July 31, 2013

    Kelly is not exactly a flop! She is the most successful person to come out of a group who is not a lead and managed to stay relevant. No other person from a girl group as recorded the kind of sucess she has including members of the spice girls who are most successful girl band. Kelly is more successful than the individual members of spice girls .
    She is usual considered a flop cos she doesn’t ve beys kind of success. But outside that the girl hasbuilt a name 4 herself since droping matthew. I love her but I will admit that she is a confused human being cos she is forever alover the place, lacks organisation and is where she is cos she allows ppl to use and push her around

    • My first love July 31, 2013

      The best and truest comment you posted

    • MuiMui July 31, 2013

      You are right Kelly is far from being a flop,shes established and that is good,many artist are not driven like many are.

  34. shisha July 31, 2013

    Kelly is so damn supersexy! And she has not peaked yet! She will keep pushing in her lane as she said! So if you like her music then buy the damn cd! If you dont, for whatever reason, then more than likely your just hating!

  35. Just To Say July 31, 2013

    Kelly Rowland is so sorrowful sometimes.

  36. Black kupid July 31, 2013

    The cover 4 this mag is not just it! We ve seen her on a regular day going about her bidnez all fresh faced and she looks drop dead gorgeous, she was styled like a trailer park wrench who is happy to throw anything on. Bey would never allow a pic like this see the light of day cos she is all about her image and money, which is something kelly needs 2 learn. Stop letting ppl shove ideas into ur head and push u around. It ur image if u don’t take care of it who will?

  37. Real love July 31, 2013

    Y’all want her to be big like Beyonce but she want to be Kelly.. Y’all sound dumb.. Talking about she cause be up there where be is.. She’s a star.. She clearly said she’s not trying to be on be level.. They are 2 different people. And sings different music.. That’s why solonge sing different and style had change cause all y’all do is think everybody should be like Beyonce .. I went to Kelly she in DC and vocal and dance move was amazing and it was a full house that’s all that matters.. So it’s a lot of people Iove here the way she is..

  38. Super Cisus July 31, 2013

    Kellessory Horseland

  39. Haters July 31, 2013

    And to add on top of that I love Beyonce but in y’all eyes everybody needs to be like her.. Please tell me why Beyonce had to scrap 50 songs and go back to the drawing boards with this album?? Raisn in the sun, grown woman?? If them songs where hit then Beyonce album woulda been out or coming out.. But I like the songs but they wasn’t hits like here other songs.. This Kelly album is the truth.. Her best for sure

    • Kyle July 31, 2013

      Hunty wtf does what Beyoncé is RUMORED to be doing have to do with Kelly?

      • My first love July 31, 2013

        Wtf does Beyonce has to do with Kelly.. Did you see them comments sweets?? Guess this the only one you seen..

      • Kyle July 31, 2013

        I did see the other comments but I am asking about THIS comment. How is what Beyoncé is doing with her album relevant to Kelly?

      • My first love July 31, 2013

        You so dumb I can’t take it.. This post is about Kelly yea you are right.. Haters made it about Beyonce and Kelly do I’m speaking on it that’s why..

      • My first love July 31, 2013

        Go get a life boo

    • My first love July 31, 2013

      B#%@h read the post and that’s what she got to do with it..

      • Kyle July 31, 2013

        Do you lack basic comprehension?

      • Kyle July 31, 2013

        The post is not about Beyonces album. Therefore why are you asking about it?

  40. Monstarebel July 31, 2013

    Kelly you had potential. Next

  41. Fact Checker July 31, 2013

    You do realize that Constance White has not been editor in chief for about 6 months, right? In fact today Vanessa Bush was announce as the editor today.

  42. Daniel July 31, 2013

    Ciara is blonde light skinned with white features and she is flopping harder than Kelly. Same with Rita Ora, Christina Milian, Keri Hilson, etc. So you’re logic is b*******.

  43. My first love July 31, 2013

    You either dumb or stupid?? They was one of the biggest selling girl groups of all times so of course they are always going to ask about the other girls.. That’s where she started from.. If Oprah do a interview on her, where do you think they are going to start at dummy?? And they are going to bring up Tina and daddy mat who she was living with.. I can’t with yall cause y’all sound stupid is hell saying she needs to to talking about the girls in her interview when she lived with them, started a groupe with them.. Y’all act like the whole interview is about the girls.. I don’t get people sometimes

  44. Beyawnce July 31, 2013

    Her skin is beautiful

  45. rih rox (ignore that imposter who’s always here it has my old account and now i have a new one) July 31, 2013

    Horrible!!! There is too much going on with that outfit.

    She is not ugly but everything about the cover is ugly.

    1. That cheap airplane necklace needs to be crushed and buried.
    2.that fluffy black thing…scarf? Needs to go.
    3.that red nail polish has got to go…she should have worn the same colour as the lipstick.

    The hair looks good, she should have closed her mouth.

    All she needed was:

    That hairstyle √
    Matching dark lipstick & nail polish √
    The dress √
    And maybe a warm dark coloured bracelet/bangle.

    It looks like some old person in their 60’s70’s dressed her.

  46. alessandro July 31, 2013

    i would like to see what do these people calling kelly ugly lokk like! i bet theiy’re all rats hidden in the basement! you must be crazy to say kelly’s ugly

  47. My first love July 31, 2013

    I live…. I love the hair.. The lips is a little much but I like to see different things.. And I’ve never seen that lip color on her so it will do

  48. stephanie July 31, 2013

    Go Kelly! Awesome interview! 🙂 Thanks TGJ

  49. Nicko Rowlandstone July 31, 2013

    Its really sad yall folks all up in yall feelings worrying about what Kelly doing and what she isnt doing. Like 4real calm that s*** down. She got a multi million dollar contracts with Jaguar and X factor and her own watch line. S*** she doing what she has to do. Point blank period!!!!!!!

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