LaTavia Roberson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids LaTavia Roberson
Roberson in August 2018
Born	LaTavia Marie Roberson (1981-11-01) November 1, 1981 (age 43) Houston, Texas, U.S.
Occupation	Singer
Years active	1990–present
Partner(s)	Don Vito
Children	2
Musical career
Genres	R&B
Labels	Columbia Fleet Street

LaTavia Marie Roberson (born November 1, 1981) is an American R&B singer. She became famous in the late 1990s. This was when she was an original member of the R&B group Destiny's Child.

Destiny's Child became one of the best-selling girl groups ever. While in the group, LaTavia recorded two albums. She helped sell over 25 million records. She also won two Grammy Awards and three Soul Train Music Awards.

After leaving Destiny's Child, LaTavia formed a short-lived girl group called Anjel. Her friend and former Destiny's Child member LeToya Luckett was also in this group. LaTavia has also acted in many stage plays. These include Those Jeans and How to Love. In 2014, she joined the TV show R&B Divas: Atlanta. She was a main cast member alongside other singers.

Early Life

LaTavia Roberson was born on November 1, 1981. Her parents are Cheryl Lastrap and Terry Roberson. She was born in Houston, Texas.

Before joining Destiny's Child, LaTavia was a child model. She appeared in commercials in the 1980s. One commercial was for Soft and Beautiful's Just for Me Hair Care.

Career

Girl's Tyme and Destiny's Child (1990–2000)

When LaTavia was eight, she tried out for a local girl group. She wanted to be a rapper and dancer. She was chosen for the group. At this audition, she met Beyoncé Knowles. They quickly became best friends.

LaTavia and Beyoncé made a video for a song called "One Time." This almost led to them becoming a duo. Later, LaTavia met Kelly Rowland in elementary school. LaTavia heard Kelly sing and told her to try out for the group. Kelly joined the group.

At first, LaTavia only rapped and danced. She then took vocal lessons and started singing. The group, called Girl's Tyme, appeared on the TV show Star Search. They lost the competition.

Beyoncé's father, Mathew Knowles, became the group's manager. He changed the group to four members. These were LaTavia, Beyoncé, Kelly, and LeToya Luckett. The group also changed names many times. Some names were The Dolls and Something Fresh.

In 1995, they signed with Elektra Records. But they were later dropped from the label. After more training, they signed with Columbia Records in 1997. They were now called Destiny's Child.

Beyoncé was the main singer. Kelly was the second main singer. LaTavia and LeToya sang background. LaTavia sang the low notes (alto). LeToya sang the high notes (soprano). LaTavia was also the group's spokesperson.

In 1998, Destiny's Child released their first album. It was called Destiny's Child. Hit songs included "No, No, No". LaTavia can be heard rapping in the song "Illusions."

In 1999, the group released their second album. It was named The Writing's on the Wall. This album sold millions of copies. It had four big hit songs. These were "Bills, Bills, Bills" and "Say My Name". LaTavia helped write more songs on this album. She also sang lead on "Sweet Sixteen."

In late 1999, LaTavia and LeToya had problems with their manager. They tried to get help from someone else. But they soon found out they were no longer in the group. When the "Say My Name" music video came out in 2000, new members appeared. These were Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin.

LaTavia and LeToya later received money from the albums they made. While in Destiny's Child, LaTavia also appeared in music videos for other artists. She toured with TLC. She also acted in TV shows like Smart Guy.

Anjel (2001–2003)

After leaving Destiny's Child, LaTavia and LeToya won two Grammys. This was for their work on Destiny Child's song "Say My Name." They then formed a new group called Anjel. Two other girls, Naty Quinones and Tiffany Beaudoin, joined them.

The group recorded many songs for an album called Heavenly. They also appeared in a music video for the group Jagged Edge. Anjel made one TV appearance in 2001. They talked about their album and sang part of their song "Missing You."

Their record company had problems. The group decided to work on other projects. In 2003, the company closed. The group broke up before releasing their album. The songs were later shared online.

Solo Career and New Ventures (2004–2012)

In 2005, LaTavia was asked to join the group Xscape. But she chose not to. She wanted to focus on her family in Houston.

From 2006, LaTavia secretly recorded songs for her own album. It was going to be called 'Black Summer's Night'. It was planned to mix hip-hop, jazz, and soul. But she never finished the album, so it was not released.

In 2007, LaTavia appeared in a TV series. It was called Boulevard of Broken Dreams. She shared her side of the story about leaving Destiny's Child.

In 2008, LaTavia acted in a stage play. It was called Those Jeans. It was a love story about a fashion designer and a photographer.

R&B Divas, Stage Plays and Motherhood (2013–2015)

In 2013, LaTavia starred in two stage plays. These were How to Love and Not My Family. That same year, she became a mother for the first time.

In 2014, LaTavia joined the TV show R&B Divas: Atlanta. She was a main cast member. On the show, she was nervous about singing. She felt she was not ready. She appeared on The Wendy Williams Show to promote the show.

In 2015, LaTavia started a hair business. It was called Luxury Hair Direct. She also became involved with a charity. This charity was called 'Saving Our Daughters'.

Web-series, Films, and More (2016–Present)

In 2016, LaTavia started an online series. It was on YouTube and called 'The Online Diary of LaTavia Roberson.' She also planned to release her autobiography. It was called I Am LaTavia.

In 2017, LaTavia acted in her first movie. It was a horror film called But Deliver Us from Evil. She also appeared in two other movies. These were Dirty South House Arrest and The Hills.

LaTavia released her first solo song on June 23, 2017. It was an EDM song called "Best Time of Your Life." In 2018, she started Roberson Sports Management. This company planned to help boxers. She also launched a boxing magazine. It was called Slugfest Magazine. The magazine stopped being published in 2020.

In 2023, LaTavia started Le Papillon Foundation. This is a nonprofit group for young girls. She also launched her Queens Collection makeup line. In February 2024, she showed her fashion line, LMR Collection, at New York Fashion Week.

"Survivor" Lawsuit

In March 2000, LaTavia and LeToya filed a lawsuit. It was against Mathew Knowles and the group. This led to a public disagreement. Both sides said negative things in interviews.

LaTavia and LeToya agreed to a settlement. They dropped the part of their lawsuit against the group members. But they kept the suit against Mathew Knowles. Both sides also agreed to stop speaking negatively about each other.

Later, LaTavia and LeToya filed another lawsuit. They said the song "Survivor" broke their earlier agreement. This song was from the group's 2001 album, Survivor. They pointed to lyrics like "thought I wouldn't sell without you, sold nine million." They felt these words were about their leaving the group. In July 2002, Destiny's Child settled the case again.

Personal Life

LaTavia sought help for personal challenges. This led to her recovery. She now uses her experience to help others. On August 21, 2013, LaTavia had a daughter. Her daughter's father is producer Don Vito. In 2016, she sadly lost a baby girl. On September 23, 2019, LaTavia had a son. He is her second child with Don Vito.

Discography

Studio albums with Destiny's Child

• Destiny's Child (1998)
• The Writing's on the Wall (1999)

Collaborative albums

• Heavenly (2003) (unreleased album with Anjel)

Singles

• 2009 – "Swagga Check" (Young Sween featuring LaTavia Roberson)
• 2017 – "Best Time of Your Life"
• 2017 – "Baby Love Crazy" (Darryl Allen featuring LaTavia Roberson)
• 2018 – Nia featuring Bryant McCarty, Latavia Roberson and Dajione – "Lord's Prayer" (gospel song)

Filmography

Plays

• Those Jeans (2008)
• How to Love (2013)
• Not My Family (2013)

Book

• I Am LaTavia, My Story. My Destiny. (TBA)

Grammy Awards

• 2001, Best R&B Song ("Say My Name")
• 2001, Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals ("Say My Name")