Kelly Rowland's Proudest Career Moment Isn't What You Expect

For over 25 years, Kelly Rowland has had one kick-ass career and has become a household name in R&B. Between her four solo albums (and five with Destiny's Child), Rowland has performed over 20 hits to make the Billboard Hot 100 chart alone. At the True and the Rainbow Kingdom premiere in LA, Rowland looked back at her fame and fortune to point out the one significant moment she's most proud of to share with her two-year-son Titan one day. But the singer's response may be the last thing fans would expect.

"Wow. It's so much, thank god I can say that," the 36-year-old says, reflecting on her career. She blossomed in the spotlight alongside Beyonce as an OG member of Destiny's Child, sold millions of albums worldwide, has worked with industry vets like Lil Wayne and David Guetta, and is still on the hustle with a new record on the way — and that's the Cliffs Notes version. But regardless of being an international star, Rowland is most proud to have put a roof over her and her family's heads.

"Just because of my upbringing, I'm proud to own a home," she tells me after thinking on the question for a few moments. "Because no one in my family really did this, it's the small things that really count to me."

When Rowland was about 15, her mother agreed for Matthew Knowles to become her legal guardian after allegedly leaving her alcoholic, abusive husband. Rowland then lived in a small, two-bedroom apartment with the Knowles family, in which Matthew and Tina were in one room and Beyonce, Solange, and Rowland were in the other.

The singer has come a long way and certainly has mixed feelings about her son, or any other possible children, pursuing a career in the business. "I'm going to have a heart attack, but I'm going to support," she says of her son choosing a life in the industry. "I'd probably be extremely overprotective, I've seen some really crazy stuff. I would still, of course, have to be the parent that allows them to go do their thing." Rowland says that push and pull would be her biggest challenge.

There's also, of course, the thought of explaining her super sexy songs to her kids one day. Take "Motivation," for instance, her collaboration with Lil Wayne which reached the No. 1 spot on the R&B/Hip-Hop Billboard chart. But that day isn't one she's worried about. "That's how you got here, baby," she says with a laugh. "Motivation."

Regardless of her busy schedule filled with red carpets and studio sessions, being a mom and supporting other moms (namely longtime friend Beyonce) is still an ongoing priority for Rowland. "All of my friends have exciting things going on, everybody has babies or are having babies," she tells reporters. "It's a really cool time in our lives as friends, growing up together."

So do she and Bey, who welcomed twins Rumi and Sir two months ago, bond over mom-life tips? "No one needs advice, all my girls are very smart," Rowland says. "We've all given each other great advice, we just take it one day at a time."

Clearly, the mindset of taking it a day at a time has worked in Rowland's favor. And with all the days of success that have passed her by, her humble beginnings remain at the forefront of the star's mind.