Michelle Williams (singer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michelle Williams
Williams in 2015
Born	Tenitra Michelle Williams (1979-07-23) July 23, 1979 (age 45) Rockford, Illinois, U.S.
Education	Auburn High School Illinois State University
Occupation	Singer actress podcaster
Years active	1999–present
Notable work	Solo discography Works with Destiny's Child
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	R&B soul pop gospel
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Columbia Music World Entertainment E1 Light

Tenitra Michelle Williams (born July 23, 1979) is an American singer and actress. She became famous in the early 2000s as a member of the R&B girl group Destiny's Child. This group is one of the best-selling female groups of all time. With Destiny's Child, Michelle won a Grammy Award and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

During a break from the group, Michelle released her first solo album, Heart to Yours (2002). It became the top-selling gospel album of that year. She then released her second album, Do You Know (2004). After Destiny's Child broke up in 2006, Michelle released her first pop album, Unexpected (2008). This album included the popular song "The Greatest", which reached number one on the US Dance charts. Her fourth album, Journey to Freedom (2014), was very successful. It featured the song "Say Yes", which was number one on the US Hot Gospel Songs chart for seven weeks.

Michelle Williams has also had a successful acting career. She has performed in plays on Broadway and in London's West End theatre. Her acting roles include the musicals Aida (2003) and Chicago (2009–10). She also appeared in the TV show Half & Half (2006). Michelle has been a judge on MTV's Top Pop Group and competed on Strictly Come Dancing in the UK. She has also been a contestant on the American, British, and Australian versions of The Masked Singer.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Michelle Williams was born in Rockford, Illinois, on July 23, 1979. She has an older brother, Erron, who is a musician, an older sister, Cameron, and a younger sister, Danielle. Michelle started singing at age seven. She performed a song called "Blessed Assurance" at her church. Later, she sang in gospel groups named United Harmony and Chosen Expression.

Michelle finished high school in 1997. She then studied criminal justice at Illinois State University. She wasn't sure if she could make a living as a singer. But after two years of college, she left to follow her dream. She started her music career by singing backup for other artists, like Monica.

Career Highlights

Joining Destiny's Child and Solo Success

In late 1999, Michelle Williams met Beyoncé Knowles and Kelly Rowland in Atlanta. A few months later, she officially joined their group, Destiny's Child, in early 2000. This happened after some changes in the group's members. Michelle, along with Farrah Franklin, joined the group.

The new lineup quickly became very popular. Their song "Independent Women Part I" was a huge hit. It was part of the soundtrack for the movie Charlie's Angels. The song stayed at number one on the US charts for eleven weeks. This success made the new group lineup very famous.

In May 2001, Destiny's Child released their third album, Survivor. It sold over twelve million copies around the world. The album had other number-one hits like "Bootylicious" and "Survivor". The song "Survivor" even won the group a Grammy Award. In October 2001, they released a holiday album called 8 Days of Christmas. After this, the group decided to take a break so members could work on solo projects.

While still with Destiny's Child, Michelle worked on her first solo album, Heart to Yours. This album was a gospel and Christian music album. Michelle said she wanted to sing gospel music because it was "in her heart." The album was released on April 16, 2002. Michelle was the first member of Destiny's Child to release solo music. Heart to Yours sold 20,000 copies in its first week. It reached number one on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart.

Heart to Yours became the best-selling gospel album of 2002. It sold more than 220,000 copies in the US. The album's first single was "Heard a Word." Michelle won a MOBO Award for "Best Gospel Act" for this album. Billboard magazine named her the fifth Top Gospel Artist of 2002.

In August 2002, Michelle went on her first solo tour. It was called the BK Got Music Summer Soul Tour. In 2003, Michelle made her acting debut on Broadway. She played the main role in the musical Aida. The music for Aida was written by Elton John. Michelle was the first Destiny's Child member to act on Broadway.

New Albums and Acting Roles

After her first solo album, Michelle recorded her second album, Do You Know. It was released in January 2004. The album reached number two on the Top Gospel Albums chart. It also reached number three on the Top Christian Albums chart.

After a three-year break, Destiny's Child reunited for their album Destiny Fulfilled in November 2004. This album included hit songs like "Lose My Breath" and "Soldier". In 2005, the group went on a world tour called Destiny Fulfilled ... And Lovin' It. During this tour, they announced they would be breaking up after the tour ended. In October 2005, they released a greatest hits album called #1's. It included their last song, "Stand Up for Love". In March 2006, Destiny's Child received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

After Destiny's Child broke up, Michelle started acting on television. She appeared in the TV comedy Half & Half in 2006. She also sang on the reality show Celebrity Duets. In April 2007, Michelle joined the cast of the musical The Color Purple for its national tour. She played the role of the blues singer Shug Avery.

Pop Music and More Stage Work

In March 2008, Michelle announced her third album, Unexpected. This album was different because it was pop/R&B music, not gospel. The first song from the album, "We Break the Dawn", was released in June 2008. It became very popular on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart.

In September 2008, "The Greatest" was released as the second single. This song became Michelle's second number-one hit on the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart. Unexpected was released in October 2008. It reached number 42 on the US Billboard 200 albums chart.

In July 2009, Michelle performed in the musical Chicago in London. She was the first African-American actress to play the role of Roxie Hart in the West End production. In January 2010, Michelle started working with a new manager. In February 2010, she returned to Broadway to perform in Chicago again.

In August 2010, Michelle joined the TV show Strictly Come Dancing in the UK. This is a dance competition show. She competed for seven weeks. In December 2010, Michelle also co-hosted a radio show in London for a month.

New Music and Reality TV

In January 2011, Michelle appeared on the BBC comedy show Never Mind the Buzzcocks. In February 2011, she went on a 28-city tour for the play What My Husband Doesn't Know. In July 2011, she released a song called "Love Gun" for her upcoming fourth album. She also collaborated on songs like "On the Run" and "Waiting on You".

In June 2012, it was announced that Michelle signed with Light Records. She planned to release her fourth album in 2013. In January 2013, Michelle played Sandra in the musical Fela! on its national tour. Destiny's Child also released a new song called "Nuclear" on their album Love Songs.

On February 3, 2013, Michelle and Kelly Rowland joined Beyoncé on stage during the Super Bowl XLVII halftime show. They performed parts of "Bootylicious" and "Independent Women". In February 2013, it was announced that Michelle would have her own reality television show. It was called My Sister's Keeper.

In December 2013, Michelle appeared on Beyoncé's album Beyoncé in the song and video "Superpower." In 2014, Michelle became a spokesperson for Playtex. She was also going to be in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar as Mary Magdalene, but the tour was canceled. Michelle also became a mentor on the Oxygen TV show Fix My Choir.

In June 2013, Michelle released the first song from her fourth album, Journey to Freedom. The song was called "If We Had Your Eyes". It was her first song to appear on the US Billboard Adult R&B Songs and Hot Gospel Songs charts. Michelle reunited with Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland for the song "Say Yes". This song became Michelle's first number-one hit on the US Hot Gospel Songs chart. "Say Yes" stayed at number one for seven weeks.

In September 2014, Journey to Freedom was released. It reached number twenty-nine on the US Billboard 200. The album was nominated for an award at the 46th NAACP Image Awards. "Say Yes" won Music Video of the Year at the 30th Stellar Awards. Michelle performed the song live with Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland at the Stellar Awards.

Recent Projects and The Masked Singer

On April 14, 2015, Michelle Williams sang for President Barack Obama at the White House. In August 2015, she played the main role in Aida again. She also launched her own bedding collection called Believe at Home. In 2016, Michelle sang for President Obama at the White House again.

In April 2018, Michelle reunited with Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. In late 2018, Michelle starred in the OWN reality show Chad Loves Michelle with her then-fiancé, Chad Johnson. Michelle also returned to Broadway in Once On This Island. On December 7, 2018, she released the pop song "Fearless."

In February 2019, Michelle guest-starred as Diana Ross in the TV show American Soul. In April 2019, she was part of Beyoncé's documentary Homecoming. Later that year, Michelle competed as "Butterfly" on the American version of The Masked Singer. In December 2019, she played the Evil Queen in the musical A Snow White Christmas.

Memoir and More Masked Singer Appearances

In November 2020, Michelle announced her memoir, Checking In: How Getting Real About Depression Saved My Life–and Can Save Yours. The book was released in May 2021. She also started a podcast called Checking In with Michelle Williams. In October 2021, Michelle starred in the Hallmark Channel movie Christmas in Harmony.

In 2022, Michelle competed as "Rockhopper" on the British version of The Masked Singer. She then competed as "Microphone" on the Australian version of The Masked Singer Australia. This made her the first celebrity to compete in three different versions of the show. She also starred in the Lifetime movie Wrath: A Seven Deadly Sins Story.

In January 2024, Michelle appeared on Fox's We Are Family. In March 2024, Michelle was cast in the musical Death Becomes Her. She played Viola Van Horn in Chicago and then on Broadway.

Michelle's Singing Voice

Michelle Williams is known for her soprano voice. Critics have described her voice as "warm" and able to "transform" from soft to powerful. She has been praised for her "delicate vocals" and unique style. Some have compared her voice to other singers like Ella Fitzgerald and Diana Ross. Her singing style is often described as "soulful" and having a "shimmery jazz lilt."

Awards and Recognition

Michelle Williams has won many awards both as a solo artist and with Destiny's Child. These include one Grammy Award and one MOBO Award. Billboard magazine ranked her as the fifth Top Gospel Artist of 2002. This was because her first album, Heart to Yours, was one of the best-selling gospel albums that year. In 2013, Michelle was honored in her hometown of Rockford, Illinois, at the I Love Gospel Music luncheon.

Personal Life

Michelle Williams dated pastor Chad Johnson starting in July 2017. They announced their engagement in April 2018. In September 2018, they shared plans for a TV show about their relationship. The reality show Chad Loves Michelle began airing in November 2018. However, in December 2018, Michelle announced that she and Chad had ended their engagement.

Mental Health Journey

Michelle Williams has openly shared her experiences with depression. She has said she struggled with it since she was a teenager. When she was in Destiny's Child, she told her manager about her feelings. At the time, he didn't fully understand. He tried to focus on the good things, like their success.

Michelle said she didn't fully understand her own feelings until she was in her thirties. She realized it was more than just "growing pains." She believes her manager meant well, but he didn't grasp the depth of her sadness.

After her engagement ended in late 2018, Michelle felt very angry and sad. She said she felt "rage" and "helpless." She had a nervous breakdown after starting a Broadway show called Once on This Island. Her doctor advised her to leave the show. By April 2020, Michelle was feeling much better. She shared that "it gets better" and "the days do get brighter," but it takes time.

Sharing Her Story

In November 2020, Michelle announced she would release a memoir. It would share her full story, including her struggles with anxiety and depression. She said she wanted to "really help heal through my story." She hoped to show people what she does daily to feel better.

Her book, Checking In: How Getting Real about Depression Saved My Life—and Can Save Yours, was published on May 25, 2021.

Helping Others

Michelle Williams has used her fame to help others. In 2001, she gave a large donation to her church in Rockford, Illinois. This money helped finish building the church's school.

In 2005, Destiny's Child became global ambassadors for World Children's Day. This event raises money and awareness for children's causes. Michelle, Beyoncé, and Kelly visited Ronald McDonald Houses around the world. They also donated part of their concert ticket sales to Ronald McDonald House Charities.

In 2006, Michelle helped launch a program in Chicago to promote healthy living for kids. She also sang for children at Camp Heartland, which helps kids with HIV/AIDS. Michelle is also a part-owner of the Chicago Sky, a women's basketball team.

In 2012, she became an ambassador for the American Heart Association's Power to End Stroke campaign. She wanted to raise awareness because her father and grandmother had strokes. She encourages people to learn about their health to prevent strokes.

In 2014, Michelle partnered with Hyundai's Hope on Wheels. This group works to find a cure for childhood cancer. They have raised millions of dollars for this cause.

Discography

Filmography

Stage Credits

Other Works

Podcasts

Images for kids

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  Destiny's Child performing in 2005

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  Michelle performing in 2008

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  Michelle at a Drama League event in 2012

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  Michelle at the Super Bowl halftime show

See also

In Spanish: Michelle Williams (cantante) para niños