Kelly Rowland showed just why Simon Cowell hired her as an X Factor judge, when she performed at the Essence Black Women in Music gala earlier this week.

The former Destinys Child star strutted her stuff at the star studded ceremony, held in LA’s Belasco Theater on Wednesday Febuary 8. She was dressed to impress, donning a gold jacket, leather hotpants, a white shirt and necktie and she wore her hair BIG for the occasion.

Rowland treated the audience to a performance of a medley of her own hits, both as part of the girl band and from her own solo career and they included Independent Women, Survivor, Dilemma, Motivation and her recent song, When Love Takes Over. She finished the performance by duetting with rapper Eve for “Like This.”

After her vocal treat, Kelly was presented with an official plaque, which marked platinum sales of her single “Motivation.”

Rowland’s next big night out will be at The Grammy Awards, where “Motivation” (featuring Lil Wayne) has been nominated for a trophy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.

Watch Kellys performance below and tell us, do you think she should come back to The X Factor? What do you think of the rumours that Simon Cowell is threatening to cut her from the lineup?

Leave your comments below.