Photo: Lance Gross
With one cryptic Instagram post of mini-and-me Air Jordan sneakers, Kelly
Rowland announced to the world that she and new husband, Tim Witherspoon, were
expecting their first child. Since then, she's become a role model for prenatal
fitness, with her toned bump and frequent workout 'grams inspiring women (she
has over 2.5 million followers on Instagram) to strive for a healthy, active
pregnancy. She dresses her bump in style, too: there she is beaming in glittery
Kaufmanfranco at the VMAs, or at ease in a bump-hugging LBD while on vacation in
Puerto Rico. It’s clear that pregnancy agrees with Kelly Rowland. On the eve of
her labor date (she's weeks away!), the Grammy-Award winning singer sat down
with ELLE.com to talk raising a son in the spotlight, her pregnancy photo shoot
with Lance Gross, and those Donna Summer rumors.
Congratulations on your first child! What are you
looking forward to the most about motherhood?
I can't wait until he gets here. I just have a couple more
weeks. I'm excited to bring a child into the world, and sharing that experience
with my husband is probably the most beautiful part.
Photo: Lance Gross
You've become quite a role model for staying fit
during pregnancy. What tips would you give for other mothers who want to stay
healthy and in shape while pregnant?
Everybody always tells you to go crazy with food, and you can
eat whatever you want. It's fine to have your cravings but I wanted an easier
delivery. All the women that I've talked to, that have worked out, have such an
easy and speedy delivery. Exercise really helps that. And I like being able to
have peaceful sleep at night, though there's no such thing as that now in the
last trimester [laughs]. To be honest, I did modify my exercise routine a bit by
just listening to my body. I would tell my trainer [Jeanette Jenkins] "This move
doesn't feel right," and we'd modify it. I still walk two miles everyday. I
still work out. It's important to me.
Any cravings?
I love cherry pie and chocolate ice cream with peanut butter
mixed in it. And I had a week straight where I was obsessed with nachos.
Your skin is glowing! What's
your pregnancy beauty regimen?
I've switched out anything with harsh chemicals. I use nothing
but shea butter, pure cocoa butter and coconut oil. It's amazing how all of
those things work so well for my skin. I'm going to continue to just use those
after the baby gets here.
Related: Is Avocado Oil the New Coconut
Oil?
What kind of celebrity mom
will you be? Would you take your son to award shows or fashion
shows?
I just plan to play it by ear. Everybody has their normal. And
sometimes, award shows are a part of that. I have girlfriends who have that
experience, and they'll say 'You know, I just really didn't want to be without
my child today.' And it's just that simple. It's about finding your normal,
whatever that may be.
Photo: Lance Gross
Tell us about your photo shoot with Lance Gross. What
was the experience like? What was your vision for the shoot?
I had a chance to work with Lance Gross during a video shoot for
the ["Here I Am"] album, and I remember looking at his Instagram page, and
seeing all these crazy hot photos. I texted him, and he said he's really been
into [photography]. So we had been planning for a year to shoot and of course, I
got pregnant and thought I'll have Lance shoot the photos for my pregnancy.
Lance and I had all these great ideas and we just put our heads together to
execute the looks. It was a lot of fun.
Some pregnant women get flack for nude photos. Why was
it important to you to include those in the shoot?
I don't know why they would get flack. It's really—I won't say
amazing—it's Godmazing [laughs] watching your body carry a human. I took
a birthing class and I was amazed by all the things this woman was saying to me
about birthing and what the body does naturally. Why wouldn't you want to
celebrate that? The body should be celebrated.
Photo: Lance Gross
You have a successful career, a marriage and you're
entering motherhood—how will you balance it all? What advice do you have for
women who want to pursue their professional aspirations and have a family?
I watch Diana Ross and Donna Summer and all these women—they've
managed to do it all. I think 'What makes me different? I can definitely do it.'
And this is something I've wanted. I've been talking about babies since last
year. I believe I spoke it into existence during a conversation with my friend,
and I feel like I became pregnant overnight! And she said all we need is a
community of strong people around us, and we rely on each other and our
families.
Photo: Lance Gross
Speaking of Donna Summer, you posted a picture on Instagram
where you look just like her! Are the rumors that you might play her in an
upcoming biopic true?
All these rumors! I was just with my glam squad, we were having
fun and we saw this beautiful picture of a Donna Summer record. I was like
'let's try to do this look!' I love Donna Summer. I love how she's this sex
goddess, and she's so beautiful and powerful onstage. So we mocked up a cover
and I posted a picture. That's all it was! But it would be an amazing
opportunity to play her.
We're keeping our fingers crossed that you do! What
projects do you have coming up?
I go in the studio next week! I have a new watch with TW Steel
called 'Canteen' which is casual, but still stylish. And because I've been
shopping for this little one, and it's so hard to find stuff for boys, I'm
intrigued to do a children's line.