In new unseen X Factor footage, singer Kelly Rowland is seen using her expertise and insisting the, at the time, Little Mix foursome was going to be the next big thing.
In the short video, posted on Twitter, we see the show’s judges, Louis Walsh, Gary Barlow, Tulisa, and Kelly discussing singers at the panel table.
But it was the Desinty’s Child star, now 41, who picked out the four women who would later become worldwide sensation Little Mix.
In the clip, the four judges are going over the performances of the singers, with their photos displayed all over the table.
From the start, Kelly was sure of the match as she is seen grabbing Perrie Edwards’ photo and placing it alongside Jade Thirlwall, Jesy Nelson, and Leigh-Anne Pinnock.
‘This is strong. Vocally,’ she says, as the camera pans over photos of the four singers.
The other judges are uncertain. Tulisa questions her, asking ‘really?’ but Kelly is sure. ‘Abso-freaking-lutely,’ she insists, confident in her match.
‘It’s about having… being the next generation and discovering something new,’ she says, adding how the girls have strong personalities and vocally work well alongside each other.
Louis didn’t focus on vocal abilities and simply kept asking if the four performers would ‘gel’ together. Take That alum Gary Barlow rightfully insisted that couldn’t be known until the group was formed.
Twitter users more than agreed that it was Kelly who deserved more credit for her foresight in forming the group that has been consistently releasing music a decade after they were formed – even with the departure of Jesy Nelson.
She saw all their potential from the very start, that’s mother,’ said one.
The group recently released a greatest hits album, Between Us, commemorating the decade since their formation on the talent show.
Since re-emerging as a trio, the band announced they would be taking a break to focus on family and their solo projects, but were adamant that they will not be ‘splitting up’.
