With The Golden Globes, SAG awards and Grammys all being at the end of January, there is something exciting and frustrating about living in Los Angeles during awards season. It is exciting being so close to such massive events, but frustrating sometimes being outside looking in. Luckily for me this year, it’s more the former, as I’ve scored a spot on the press line to the exclusive 3rd Annual Midnight Grammy Brunch from OK! Magazine and Compound Entertainment.
Held annually on the eve of the Grammy Awards, music’s hottest stars joined host Ne-Yo at the new W Hollywood Hotel & Residences for a late night party featuring DJ Miss Saigon and a special performance by Melanie Fiona. Among the 300 attendees were Ashanti, Natalie Cole, Lil Mama, Michelle Williams from Destiny’s Child, Tristan Wilds, Quinton Aaron, Gabourey Sidibe, Briana Evigan, JoJo, Tamara Mowry and more.
Former Destiny’s Child star Michelle Williams will see her name in lights next month when she high-kicks her way into the starring role of Roxie Hart in Chicago on Broadway.
Williams, 29, will play the wannabe star-turned-murderess for a limited run in the hit musical from Feb. 8 to March 28.
Williams will be taking over from Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, who debuted in the revival on Dec. 1. (A winner of six Tonys, this production of Chicago has been running on Broadway for 13 years.)
Williams first played Roxie last year in London’s West End production.
Ashlee Simpson-Wentz is planning a career break when she finishes her stint in the Broadway musical “Chicago” so she can concentrate on looking after her son.
The singer-turned-actress is currently appearing as Roxie Hart in the New York production but she will hang up her dancing shoes next month to make way for ex-Destiny’s Child star Michelle Williams.
And Simpson-Wentz is looking forward to her hiatus because she can spend more time with Bronx Mowgli, her 1-year-old son with Fall Out Boy rocker Pete Wentz.
She tells “Access Hollywood,” “We’ll see what’s next, but I’m gonna have some mommy time and take a little break. I’ve had a blast here doing Chicago. It’s been wonderful and to be on stage in Broadway, that was always a dream of mine, so it’s been great. I’ve got two weeks left and I’ve really enjoyed it and I’m ready to get back home.”
Over the past few months, Beyoncé’s father and manager, Mathew Knowles, 58, has been coping with personal and professional drama – including a divorce, a reported paternity suit, and now, the departure of one of his biggest clients.
On Tuesday, singer Michelle Williams, 29, one-third of Destiny’s Child, announced she was leaving Knowles’s company, Music World Entertainment. “From my time in Destiny’s Child to my solo career, I am grateful for everything Mathew and his team has done for me,” she said in a statement. “We’ve shared great success together. However, as I move in a new direction in my career, I felt it was time. I wish Mathew Knowles and the Music World Entertainment family all the best.”
Knowles’s camp tells PEOPLE: “Michelle is a gifted artist. Her contribution to the Music World family with Destiny’s Child and as a solo artist was extraordinary. The decision to part ways is amicable and we wish her success with her future endeavors.”
Build Up to Exit
According to an insider, the singer’s departure did not come as a surprise to Mathew and his camp. “They were like, ‘Good for her.’ They knew that things were going on with him and that things [in his personal life] were going to be revealed. There’s been a build-up to this.”
Last year, Kelly Rowland, 28, the third member of Destiny’s Child (who, as a teen, lived with Knowles and his wife, Tina), also left the company.
“Beyoncé has kind of distanced herself from her father too,” adds the insider. “A lot of his personal stuff was overshadowing what was being done for Michelle. She got fed up and decided it was time to move on.”
In October, Knowles was reportedly named in a paternity suit filed by a women in her late 30s who was six months pregnant. Mathew Knowles had no comment on the reported paternity suit. (The legal papers are sealed to protect the baby.)
The following month, Tina, 56, filed for divorce after 29 years of marriage.
“The decision to end our marriage is an amicable one. We remain friends, parents, and business partners,” the couple said in a statement in December, when the news became public. “If anyone is expecting an ugly messy fight, they will be sadly disappointed. We ask for your respect of our privacy as we handle this matter.”
So far, Knowles’s personal issues have not negatively impacted his company’s success: Billboard magazine named Music World the top imprint label of 2009.
Meanwhile, Beyoncé is laying low. In fact, she told USA Today that she has no plans to record new music anytime soon.
“It’s definitely time to take a break, to recharge my batteries,” said the singer, 28, who will perform at the Grammys on Jan. 31, where she is nominated for 10 awards. “I’d like to take about six months and not go into the studio. I need to just live life, to be inspired by things again.”
Michelle Williams has become the latest Destiny’s Child star to part ways with Beyonce’s manager dad Mathew Knowles, after a decade under his representation.
The singer has been managed by her former bandmate’s father since she joined the girl band in 2000.
But Williams has announced she is walking away from Knowles and his Music World Entertainment company, so she can take her career “in a new direction.”
The move comes a year after ex-bandmate Kelly Rowland ditched Knowles as her manager.
In a statement, Williams says, “After much prayer and consideration I have decided to part ways from my management team, Mathew Knowles and Music World Entertainment. From my time in Destiny’s Child to my solo career, I am grateful for everything Mathew and his team has done for me. We’ve shared great success together. However, as I move in a new direction in my career, I felt it was time. I wish Mathew Knowles and the Music World Entertainment family all the best.”
Michelle Web would like to wish all of the visitors Happy holidays, Merry Christmas and fabulous New Year 2010! I really love working on the site and appreciate your continued support. I can’t wait to see what 2010 will bring to Michelle – and you can be sure that I’ll be here to cover it every step of the way!
Former Destiny’s Child members Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams have settled a three-year old copyright infringement lawsuit filed against them by a Chicago singer / songwriter.
The trio was sued by Rickey Allen for allegedly ripping off his “Cater 2 U” song.
Allen claimed the girls released a song with the same title and spelling in 2004 for their compilation album “Destiny Fulfilled.”
According to the suit, Allen handed over a version of his song to producer Maurice Joshua, who worked with the three R&B singers in the studio. Joshua denied getting hold of the copy of the song.
Knowles, Rowland and Williams – who disbanded in 2006 – were due to appear in court this week to give their testimonies, but opted to settle the case behind closed doors before that happens.
Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
Former Destiny’s Child star Michelle Williams has dismissed speculation she’s suffering from an eating disorder following a spate of unkind rumours about her weight.
The singer shed the pounds during a recent stint on the London stage in hit musical Chicago, but her super-slim new figure attracted a string of criticism, with some online gossips suggesting the star’s drastic weight loss is unhealthy.
Today I’m bringning you pictures from one of Michelle’s recent photoshoots. The potoshoot was photographed by Derek Blanks and Michelle looks gourgeous. I have added x10 MQ pictures to the gallery, if you have more images you are more than welcome to contribute that to the site here.
Michelle Williams recently did a photo shoot with famed photographer Derek Blanks for his alter ego theme.
A very interesting look. So her alter ego is an old lady?
I’m excited to see the final look since Derek’s shoots are usually amazing.
Destiny’s Child Alter Egos:
Michelle Wiliams alter ego is Nina Capone
Beyonce’s alter ego is Sasha Fierce
Kelly Rowland’s alter ego is Natalia
