Often referred to as the shyest member of Destiny’s Child, Michelle Williams defied that description with her solo album “Unexpected” in October 2008.
The singer, who has a penchant for gospel tunes, had no problem belting out dance-friendly pop songs on the high-energy CD. “I had boxed myself in as a gospel singer and didn’t think anyone would be interested in hearing me sing a different way,” said Williams, 29. “It was either Destiny’s Child or gospel.”
Williams returns to Broadway this month to perform as Roxie Hart in “Chicago” and also is working on another album. After that? Perhaps a well-deserved rest.
“I travel so much that I know almost all my account numbers for my different airline frequent-flier miles by heart,” Williams said. Not that she’s complaining.
Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?
A: Turks & Caicos definitely is a dream destination. The water is so clear and blue. I really enjoyed the beautiful water, even though I don’t know how to swim. I did get a chance to parasail, and it was simply amazing. I felt so at peace with myself. I stayed at a friend’s condo and cooked, went shopping and just had a ball. It was wonderful to not worry about being glamorous. I was barefoot most of the time and got to lie in the sun.
Q: Where is your favorite weekend getaway?
A: Miami!
Q: What are your favorite hotels and restaurants?
A: The Ritz-Carlton (ritzcarlton.com) or Shore Club (shoreclub.com) in Miami. The Regent Beverly Wilshire (fourseasons.com) in Beverly Hills. Any Thompson Hotels (thompsonhotels.com) property. The Grand Hyatt (tokyo.grand.hyatt.com) in Tokyo because they have one of the best spas I’ve ever been to. And the Mandarin Oriental (mandarinoriental.com) in London because they have Jo Malone amenities.
Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A: An iPod! I pack a dress or two … and the rest are casual. Vacation for me is not always about being the fiercest chick at the pool. I only travel with one bag when I know I don’t have to work because checking luggage can be such a pain these days.
Q: What are your five favorite cities?
A: Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Nashville and Houston.
Q: What kind of research do you do before you go on a trip?
A: I don’t get to sightsee a lot when I’m working, but I make a mental list of places I’d like to revisit when I have a few weeks off.
Q: Where would you like to go that you have never been?
A: South Africa. I’d also like to go to a place like Vermont or Montana.
Michelle Williams, who recently joined the cast of the Tony-winning revival of Chicago, will make an appearance on the syndicated “The Wendy Williams Show” Feb. 16.
Williams, the singing star who rose to fame as one-third of Destiny’s Child (along with Beyoncé Knowles and Kelly Rowland), and the Chicago cast will perform “Roxie.”
“The Wendy Williams Show” airs in the New York Metropolitan area on Fox-TV at 10 AM ET; check local listings. For more information visit www.WendyShow.com.
Williams, who played the role of merry murderous Roxie Hart in the London production of the Kander and Ebb hit, recently assumed the same part at the Ambassador Theatre. The singing actress will perform on Broadway through March 28.
Williams has previously appeared on stage in the title role of Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida on Broadway and in the national tour of The Color Purple in Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco, playing the role of blues singer Shug Avery. She released her solo debut album in 2002, “Heart to Yours,” which charted as the best-selling gospel album of that year and spawned the single “Heard a Word.” She also released “Do You Know” in 2004 and “Unexpected” in 2008. In 2004, she also reunited with Knowles and Rowland to make a fourth Destiny’s Child studio album, “Destiny Fulfilled,” that was followed by a world tour, after which they officially disbanded. On TV, Williams has appeared in “Half & Half,” and on the reality TV show “Celebrity Duets.”
Chicago won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical in 1997 as well as awards for actors Bebe Neuwirth and James Naughton, director Walter Bobbie, lighting designer Ken Billington and choreographer Ann Reinking. The original production was directed and choreographed by the late Bob Fosse.
Chicago plays the Ambassador Theatre, located at 219 West 49th Street.
Visit www.ChicagoTheMusical.com for more information.
Michelle’s in love ladies and gents !
The Destiny’s Child singer, Broadway star, reality show host and solo act confessed her desire to have children with a certain mystery man on the Wendy Williams Show Wednesday.
Admitting to have fallen for a “business man”, whose name she declined to reveal, Williams told Wendy “I would love to get married and have children. Yeah, I could (settle down with him).”
In related news, Michelle dismissed rumors that she, Beyonce and Kelly were feuding, calling the girls her “sisters”. Rumors picked back up when Williams split from Beyonce’s father, Mathew Knowles (who acted as her manager for years) earlier this year.
Michelle Williams made her Broadway debut in CHICAGO last night opposite Terra C. MacLeod, who is direct from her debut engagement with the London production of CHICAGO. Williams is also a veteran of the London production of CHICAGO. The cast and crew celebrated post-show at the INC LOUNGE.
Now celebrating 13 glorious years of girls, glitz and glamour on the Great White Way, the record-breaking smash hit musical CHICAGO is the sixth longest-running production in Broadway history. CHICAGO features a book by Fred Ebband Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, and is the winner of six 1997 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording. ??CHICAGO plays on Broadway at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St.). The regular performance schedule is as follows: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings at 8 p.m. Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. ??
Singer-songwriter-performer Michelle Williams rose to international renown after joining Destiny’s Child, the top-selling female group of all time, in 2000. As a member of Destiny’s Child, Michelle received three Grammy Awards and performed on several #1 hit singles by the group. Following the success of Destiny’s Child, Williams became the first member of the group to release a solo record. Her 2002 solo debut album – the gospel-infused Heart To Yours – entered the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart at #1, and became the year’s top-selling Gospel album.??Her second solo album, Do You Know, achieved similar success to her debut, peaking at #2 on the Top Gospel Albums chart and #3 on the Top Christian Albums chart following its release in 2004. Released in October 2008, Unexpected, her third solo album, introduced a bold new dance/pop sound for Williams, showcased by the #1 Billboard Hot Dance tracks “We Break the Dawn” and “The Greatest.”
Williams made her Broadway stage debut in 2003, replacing R&B icon Toni Braxton in the title role of Disney’s Aida. In April 2007, she joined the national touring company of the hit musical The Color Purple, performing extended runs in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Phoenix with members of the original Broadway cast.
Pictures coming soon…
Singer turned Broadway actress Michelle Williams joined the cast of “Chicago” on Broadway at the Ambassador Theater Monday (Feb 
in New York City. She’ll continue the role through March 28th.
Williams first took on the role as “Roxie Hart” last year in the London production of the musical and she was so good that they brought her back to do the U.S. version of the show for select dates. More pics of Michelle doing her thing on stage and hanging out with Star Jones and Jay-Z at the after party below…
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.”
