LeToya Luckett facts for kids

Quick facts for kids LeToya Luckett
Luckett in 2009
Born	LeToya Nicole Luckett (1981-03-11) March 11, 1981 (age 44) Houston, Texas, U.S.
Other names	LeToya Luckett-Walker
Occupation	Singer actress
Years active	1993–present
Spouse(s)	Rob Hill Sr ​ ​ (m. 2016; div. 2016)​ Tommicus Walker ​ ​ (m. 2017; div. 2021)​ Taleo Coles ​ (m. 2024)​
Children	2
Musical career
Genres	R&B
Labels	Columbia Capitol eOne Music

LeToya Nicole Luckett-Coles (born March 11, 1981) is an American R&B singer and actress. She became famous in the late 1990s as a founding member of the R&B girl group Destiny's Child. This group became one of the best-selling girl groups of all time.

As part of Destiny's Child, LeToya had four songs reach the US Top 10. These hits included "No, No, No", "Bills, Bills, Bills", "Jumpin', Jumpin'", and "Say My Name". The group sold over 25 million records and won two Grammy Awards. In the 2000s, LeToya started her solo career after leaving the group. She signed a record deal with Capitol Records.

Her first solo album, LeToya (2006), went straight to number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. It was certified platinum by the RIAA in the same year. The first song from the album, "Torn", reached the Top 40 in the U.S. LeToya won the Top Songwriter award at the 2006 ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Awards. Her second solo album, Lady Love (2009), also debuted at number one on the U.S. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. She returned to music in 2017 with her third album, Back 2 Life.

As an actress, LeToya appeared in the movie Killers (2010). She also played the main character, Angie, in Preacher's Kid (2010). She later appeared in the HBO drama series Treme (2011–2012). LeToya has also starred in TV shows like Single Ladies (2014–2015) and Greenleaf (2017–2020).

Early Life and Music Beginnings

LeToya Nicole Luckett was born on March 11, 1981, in Houston, Texas. Her parents are Pamela and Darrell Luckett. She has a younger brother named Gavin. LeToya started singing in her local Brentwood Baptist Church. She also took lessons to become an opera singer.

Her father, who was also a singer, was very proud of her voice. He tried to help her get into the music business. LeToya sang her first solo at age five. She joined the children's choir and performed in plays at her elementary school. One day, she met Beyoncé Knowles in class. They became friends, and LeToya was invited to join Beyoncé's singing group, Girl's Tyme. This group later became Destiny's Child.

Music Career

Becoming a Star with Destiny's Child

In 1993, LeToya joined Beyoncé Knowles, LaTavia Roberson, and Kelly Rowland to form the R&B group, Destiny's Child. Beyoncé was the main singer. Kelly, LaTavia, and LeToya sang background vocals. LaTavia sang the low notes, and LeToya sang the high notes. Sometimes, LeToya also sang lead parts.

After signing with Columbia Records in 1997, the group worked with Beyoncé's father, Mathew Knowles, as their manager. They performed for famous acts like Dru Hill and SWV. Their song was included on the Men in Black movie soundtrack. In 1998, they released their first album, Destiny's Child. This album included the hit song "No, No, No Part II". The group then toured with TLC.

In 1999, Destiny's Child released their second album, The Writing's on the Wall. This album became one of the best-selling albums by a female group. LeToya helped write some of the songs on this album. It had four hit singles: "Bills, Bills, Bills", "Bug a Boo", "Say My Name", and "Jumpin' Jumpin'". "Say My Name" won two Grammy awards.

Leaving Destiny's Child

In late 1999, LeToya and LaTavia Roberson wanted their own manager. They felt they were not communicating well with Mathew Knowles. They said they did not want to fire him, but wanted more help. Soon after, LeToya and LaTavia felt left out by the Knowles family and the group's management.

When the music video for "Say My Name" came out in February 2000, LeToya and LaTavia were replaced by two new members, Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin. LeToya and LaTavia later settled their differences with the group. They received money for their work as founding members.

Starting a Solo Career

After leaving Destiny's Child, LeToya tried to form a new group called Anjel. They recorded many songs, but the company they worked with closed down. All the members of Anjel then decided to work on their own.

LeToya signed with Capitol Records in 2003. She began working on her first solo album. Her self-titled debut album, LeToya, was released in July 2006. It went to number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. It was certified gold in one month and platinum by December 2006. LeToya and Beyoncé Knowles are the only members of Destiny's Child to have a number one album and platinum status in the U.S.

The album had a hip-hop and R&B sound. The song "Torn" was released as the first single in March 2006. It became a big R&B hit, reaching number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Her second single, "She Don't", was also successful. LeToya was named "One of the Best New Artists of 2006" by AOL Music.

Lady Love and Back 2 Life

LeToya's second solo album, Lady Love, was released on August 25, 2009. The first single, "Not Anymore", became a popular song on urban radio. Its music video was set in the 1960s.

The album's second single was "She Ain't Got...". Fans chose this song. The music video for it featured baseball players Orlando Hudson and Matt Kemp. The third single, "Regret", featured rapper Ludacris. It became LeToya's first song since "Torn" to enter the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In 2014, LeToya announced her third album would be called Until Then. She released promotional songs like "Don't Make Me Wait". In 2015, she released "Together" to help end illegal gun violence.

On December 7, 2016, she released the single "Back 2 Life". The album title changed to Back 2 Life and was released on May 12, 2017. "Used To" was the second single from this album.

Acting Career

LeToya's first TV role was on Smart Guy in 1998 with Destiny's Child. She also appeared in the 1999 movie Beverly Hood. Since 2008, LeToya has been acting in plays, TV shows, and movies.

She starred in the movie Preacher's Kid, released in January 2010. LeToya also appeared in the movie Killers (2010) with Ashton Kutcher and Usher. She then filmed From the Rough (2011).

LeToya was cast in the HBO drama series Treme for its second season. In 2013, she had a role on the VH1 TV series Single Ladies. In 2017, LeToya started a recurring role on the OWN TV series Greenleaf. She also appeared in Power Book III: Raising Kanan in 2022.

Web Series

LeToya has had two web series on YouTube.

H-Town Chick (2006)

This was a three-episode series. LeToya talked about her time in Destiny's Child and her first solo album, LeToya.

Life, Love and Music (2012)

This was a six-episode series. It gave a look into LeToya's life and how she recorded her third album.

Personal Life

Relationships

In 2015, LeToya and motivational speaker Rob Hill Sr. got engaged and secretly married in January 2016. They later divorced after only two months.

In August 2017, LeToya announced her engagement to entrepreneur Tommicus Walker. They married in Austin, Texas, on December 10, 2017. They have two children together, a daughter and a son. In January 2021, they announced their divorce.

In 2022, LeToya started dating entrepreneur Taleo Coles. They married on July 27, 2024, in Houston, Texas.

Other Ventures

In 2010, LeToya became the new face of Luster's Hair Care products. She appeared on their product boxes and in commercials.

In 2003, LeToya opened her own clothing store called Lady Elle Boutique in Houston, Texas. She later opened a second location in 2008.

LeToya also helps with charity work. She has taken part in events like the "Women in Entertainment Empowerment Summit". She visits schools to encourage children to study and continue their education. She also talks about violence and domestic abuse.

Discography

Filmography

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: LeToya Luckett para niños