Since the disbandment of the iconic R&B trio, Destiny’s Child, Michelle Williams has explored her other musical interests including urban contemporary gospel, and has made a name for herself within the musical theater and television show businesses!
Rockford-raised artist, Michelle Williams, has pursued a prosperous professional singing and acting career as a solo artist, following her membership in the R&B group, Destiny’s Child. The final line-up of this group was Michelle Williams, Kelly Rowland and Beyoncé Knowles. The female trio released a series of studio albums and hit singles, including “Say My Name” (1999), “Survivor” (2001), and “Lose My Breath” (2004) during the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. During their years active, Destiny’s Child received 12 Billboard awards, 5 American Music awards, 4 Soul Train awards, 3 NAACP Image awards, 3 World Music awards, 2 Grammy awards, 2 MTV Video awards, 2 BET awards, 2 Kids Choice awards and several other awards commemorating their captivating musicality.
The R&B group officially disbanded after their tour ended in September 2005 so the three singers could pursue solo careers. The three singers remain close friends and have performed on several occasions since their split. For instance, in 2013 Williams and Rowland joined Knowles for her Super Bowl Halftime show; and in 2016 Rowland and Knowles were featured on William’s track, “Say Yes”.
In pursuit of her solo career, Michelle Williams rekindled an old musical flame through her return to gospel music. She made her singing debut at the age of 7 when she performed a rendition of the hymn, “Blessed Assurance” at the St. Paul Church of God in Christ. Williams later joined other gospel choirs, United Harmony and Chosen Expression.
When Destiny’s Child took a temporary break in May 2001, this gave Michelle the opportunity to revive her passion for singing gospel music. After the interim split, Williams worked diligently on her debut solo album, “Heart to Yours” (2002) which was a culmination of urban contemporary gospel and Christian music. Around when the album was released Michelle reports to Billboard, “Some people will do gospel when their career fails, but I chose to do it at the height of the popularity of Destiny’s Child. And, I didn’t want to do it because it was a fad. I wanted to do it because it’s in me. It’s in my heart.”
Williams was the first member of the Destiny’s Child trio to release a solo album. The singer released four more studio albums after this including: Do You Know (2004), Unexpected (2008), Journey to Freedom (2013) and MW5 (2021). Williams reveals her passion and authenticity for gospel music will possess and it is one that she has gained great success in pursuing this career path.
In addition to gospel music, Michelle also released various pop singles which were heavily played in dancing and night clubs. In 2002, Williams was awarded the MOBO award, commemorating her musical achievements as a Black artist. Williams has even performed in events honoring the former POTUS, Barack Obama on two occasions. In 2015, Williams sang for Obama during a program titled, The Gospel Tradition: In Performance at the White House. Two years later, Williams performed for him again during the BET program, Love and Happiness: An Obama Celebration.
Michelle Williams also embarked on an acting career within the musical and television show sectors following her time in Destiny’s Child.
Williams first performed in the hit Broadway musical, Aida in 2003 becoming and remaining the only Destiny’s Child member to have acted on Broadway. Afterwards Williams performed with and for a series of major celebrities and productions including: joining Oprah Winfrey’s Chicago-based cast of The Color Purple (2007), starring as “Sandra” in the national tour of Tony-nominated Fela! (2013), portraying “Erzulie” in the Tony-Award winning show, Once On This Island (2018).
In addition to musicals Williams also made several television appearances following her time on Destiny’s Child. Williams appeared in various genres of television shows including comedies, dramas, reality and game competitions. Some Williams’ roles within these productions include her appearance on the comedy, Half & Half as Naomi (2006), guest starring as Diana Ross in the 2019 drama series, American Soul.
She also competed on the 2011-trending game show, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and even started her own reality TV show in 2013 titled, My Sister’s Keeper. The show was meant to boost promotion for her fourth album, Journey to Freedom as the show follows her and her sisters as she completed the album. Williams continued to bring her singing talent to the television camera as she starred as a mentor in the Oxygen reality television show, Fix My Choir where she gives gospel singing coaching alongside gospel musicians, Deitrick Haddon and Tye Tribett.
Williams has also frequently competed on the singing competition, The Masked Singer being the first and only celebrity to compete on the three different versions of the show (USA, British and Australia).
