2011 is Kelly Rowland‘s year. In the wake of her smash hit single “Motivation”, the release of her newest solo album Here I Am, and the buzz she’s generated blazing ahead of her former bandmate Beyonce on the Billboard charts, Kelly Rowland’s career is in overtime and showing no signs of slowing down.

With her recent VIBE Magazine cover proudly displaying her newfound sense of sex appeal and entitlement in the industry, it doesn’t come as a surprise that Diddy tapped the It-girl to be the face of Sean John’s newest fragrance Empress.

“She is such a beautiful woman. Her spirit is so genuine. She’s so feminine. Sean was adamant about Kelly being the Empress,” said an enthusiastic Ericka Pittman of Blue Flame Agency, the marketing group behind all things Diddy.

Yesterday at the exclusive premiere of Empress, guests sampled the fragrance poolside at the Ciroc Cabana Club in Southampton, NY. Kelly explained the importance of women’s empowerment and how it connects to the fragrance.

“…the fact that I’ve been a part of Destiny’s Child and we’ve always been about women’s empowerment, [I feel] it’s so important for women to empower each other. And for this scent to make you feel so inspired and empowered and embrace all of your idiosyncrasies, is just amazing,” gushed Kelly.

As far as her studio album release, she shares that each song has an emotional connection to her new self and sense of self worth.

“It was a long process putting this album together. And a lot of me coming into my own as a woman. Understanding my worth and value as an individual. For me, it took a while to get to. I think we all have our different things that we get past but for me it was ‘What else is out there?’ or ‘What more should I do’ because I had tried it all. And I really believe at this moment in time, that I can do it all!”

We believe her.

Sean John Empress is on sale now exclusively at Macy’s.

Check out Kelly’s exclusive with our partners Hello Beautiful on kissing Trey Songz & more!