Kelly Rowland gets her confidence back

Kelly Rowland is "finally" happy after years of "living in fear".

The singer battled self-doubt after she struggled to establish her solo career following the split of Destiny's Child, but started to believe in her talent again when she achieved international success.

She said: "I feel empowered - finally! When you don't believe in yourself, you feel like you're living in fear. You don't give yourself the opportunity to believe that you can. And as much as you tell yourself you can't do it, you end up not doing it. Me? I was complacent and comfortable where I was.

"Here in America, sometimes my music didn't quite work, but overseas it's on top of everybody's chart. I've had more international success than domestic success, and I think that opens my eyes up to music. I mean, I just got back from performing in Lebanon. Lebanon!

"I don't ever want to get in a box to where I'm thinking that this is the only place that can ever exist. I love being overseas just as much as I love being home. Plus, I know all my eating spots over there now, so I'm good!"

The songstress - who is recently collaborated with DJ David Guetta on his track 'When Love Takes Over' - is pleased with the new direction her music is taking as she moves away from the R'n'B sound which made her famous.

She explained to the USA Today newspaper: "I have a new boost of energy. All the creative juices are flowing, and I'm having so much fun in the studio because I'm making dance records. And I'm working with producers who are just as curious about the sound internationally, too."