(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Kelly Rowland thinks Beyonc Knowles will be a great mother because she's such a "protective" friend.

Beyonc announced she is expecting her first child with husband Jay-Z at last month's MTV Video Music Awards.

Kelly says her former Destiny's Child band mate and long-time friend will be a fabulous parent because it's in her genes.

"B is mama!" she laughed in an interview with Juicy magazine.

"Extremely protective. She's always looking out for everyone. She gets that protective spirit from her mother [Tina Knowles]. She's very motherly."

Kelly has a close friendship with tennis star Serena Williams. The American songstress says the sports star is an inspiration.

"She inspires me... to be better," she explained.

"She's just a champion. I've watched her go through so much, so many challenges the past year and a half and she just comes back better. She soars. Always soars."

Kelly is also close to fellow music star Brandy. The 30-year-old beauty says the singer understands her perfectly.

"Me and Bran somehow have a soul connection. We always know what's going on with each other. She can hear me say, Hello', and she'll automatically figure me out. She'll say, What's wrong?' She'll just hear it in my voice," she explained. (C) Cover Media