Normani says Kelly Rowland helped her rediscover her 'purpose in music' after going solo

Normani is all about "female empowerment to the max."

The 25-year-old dancer and singer teamed up with Cardi B for her latest single, showcased some viral Instagram photos with Doja Cat and is working to put Black women-owned businesses on display with Google's "Black-owned Friday" campaign.

The "Wild Side" singer has found new vessels of support from women as she continues her solo career, which she began with her Khalid collaboration on "Love Lies" following her split from her former "X-Factor"-created girl group Fifth Harmony.

Though she hasn't released music with this singer yet, Normani tells USA TODAY one woman, in particular, keeps her aligned with her music goals.

"Kelly Rowland is someone I’ve always looked up to and never felt like I couldn’t go to for advice,” she says of the 40-year-old former Destiny's Child singer.

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Normani says there was a "challenging" time almost a year and a half ago when she says started to fall out of love with music.

"So many things around music can kind of jade the experience and how you feel toward that thing that you really love to do. She kinda helped me get back to that and my initial purpose in music," says Normani, whose years in 5H included racist online attacks against her and a falling out with former member Camila Cabello before the group disbanded in 2018.

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Rowland, too, went solo after defining years in the girl group Destiny's Child. The similarities don't stop there: The two also grew up in Houston and share singles named "Motivation" (Rowland's 2011 track featured Lil Wayne; Normani performed her 2019 song at the MTV VMAs that year). Normani says Rowland also being a "chocolate" woman in the music industry has been inspirational and informative in her career experience.

"She’s a great person all around,” Normani adds.

More: Fifth Harmony's Normani Kordei returns to Twitter to tackle cyberbullies

Details of Normani's upcoming album are still under lock and key, but she says her music will feature themes of "self-governance" and fans can expect her upcoming era to be "owning who I am boldly and confidently and not timidly."

Fans got a hint of her boldness and confidence with the summer release of "Wild Side" which featured a music video reminiscent of the 2000s and paid homage to the late Aaliyah.

"There’s power in me being in a room with male producers and me and letting them know what I want,” she adds. “I’m having more authority and control.”

More: Normani releases first single in over a year with steamy 'Wild Side' video featuring Cardi B

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Normani: Kelly Rowland helped her through 'challenging times' in music