Kelly Rowland to close Dubai Airshow

Grammy Award-winning singer Kelly Rowland will close proceedings at this year’s Dubai Airshow in November.

X Factor judge and singer Kelly Rowland will perform at Dubai Airshow. Daniel Zuchnik / Getty Images / AFP

Grammy Award-winning singer Kelly Rowland will close this year’s Dubai Airshow.

The former Destiny’s Child star will perform at the closing night gala dinner.

Previous acts to close the show include legends like Tom Jones, Diana Ross, Michael Bolton, Lionel Richie and George Benson.

Rowland will take to the stage in front of a host of VIP guests, said Lorne Riley, head of corporate communications for Dubai Airports.

The singer is “excited” to take time out of her busy schedule filming The X Factor in the US to return to the UAE for the action-packed event.

Dubai Airshow will be at Dubai World Central, a purpose-built site, from November 17 to 21.

Rowland last performed in Dubai as part of Shoppiesta, a consumer lifestyle fair during Eid in 2011.

The singer is “part of the furniture” on The X Factor, according to Simon Cowell, with the pair joined on the judging panel by Demi Lovato and Paulina Rubio.

When describing her judging style, Rowland, who famously put together the successful girl group Little Mix on The X Factor in the UK, said she was “firm but honest”.

“In the music business right now everybody has to be on the grind, everybody has to be on the hustle, because there’s somebody waiting right there to take your spot,” she said.

“It’s important for you as an artist to fall in love with music all over again and I have.

“Music has always been in my veins but right now I’m on a high.”

Exhibitors, visitors and media from all over the world will descend on Dubai for the Middle East’s leading aerospace event, which in 2011 attracted 56,548 trade visitors, 960 exhibitors and US$63 billion worth of orders were made.

For more information about the Dubai Airshow visit www.dubaiairshow.aero