Kelly Rowland revealed that she'll be anything but soft as a judge on The X Factor because she suffered years of heartache herself before finding fame.

In an interview with Saturday's TV buzz, the former Destiny's Child bandmate said we shouldn't expect to see her show sympathy towards performers if they don't nail their auditions.

"Since I started judging The X Factor I've heard so many kids explain how hard they've worked," said Rowland. "Even their parents will tell me: 'She practised, so don't be mean.' But I have been in the exact same position and been turned down so many times.

"So when people say I don't know what they're going through, let me tell you - I know it all."

Rowland and childhood friend Beyoncé Knowles entered their first talent contest when they were 13 years old she said they were left heartbroken by their experience.

"We went up against this band of 30 year olds and lost," she said. "Honestly, you've never seen kids cry the way we did afterwards. But we kept at it. We'd rehearse every day in Beyoncé's backyard - often for 14 hours. We eventually got signed aged 16."

She also revealed that she has developed a bizarre obsession since joining the X Factor judging panel.

"I can't stop touching Louis Walsh's butt," she laughs. "I touch it every time I see him! He has the cutest little booty."

Watch as Kelly Rowland and the rest of The X Factor judging panel gear up for a new season here: