Kelly Rowland: Ex Factor Judge Talks Beyonce, Finding Her Strength And Own Idenity Essence Magzine September Issue [PHOTOS]

This is Kelly Rowland's time and she knows it.  The Ex Factor Judge and New Ambassador of Jaguar graces the cover of Essence Magazine September 2013 all smiles and dressed in black.  Kelly has a lot to celebrate, her latest album Talk A Good Game is doing well on the charts, and its safe to say the former Destiny's Child star is coming into her own. 

Kelly opened up to Essence about finding her inner strength and struggling to find her own path.  She also touched on her hit "Dirty Laundry," in which she talks about how Beyonce's success encouraged her to want to find her own path and greatness.

Check out the highlights from Kell'y Essence interterview:

On Beyonce and the life she wants for herself:

"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."

On finding her strength through boxing:

"I see the beauty in boxing...It teaches me strength, physically but mostly mentally. I had to learn my strength, because for so long I could have been tougher than I was."

On why she was afraid to share her feelings:

"'....cause I didn't want anybody to judge me. 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."

The September 2013 issue of ESSENCE hits stands August 9.