Unexpected Michelle

ROCKFORD — Auburn graduate turned pop-star, Michelle Williams returned home to Rockford today to surprise a family in need. Williams surprised a family of eight with clothes, coats and hats for the winter, paid for by the Boys and Girls Clubs of America 12 Days of Giving Program. Williams grew up in a working class family before her days as a member of Destiny’s Child. Her mother was a nurse, her father a factory worker. She learned the importance of giving back early on, she said. “I have an uncle who’s a physician here in Rockford,” she said. “And I remember being at church around the holidays and seeing him…

BET Networks will join President Barack Obama and the first lady for a musical celebration at the White House on Friday, October 21. Hosted by Terence J and Regina Hall, the concert will feature greatest hit performances by Usher, Jill Scott, Common, The Roots, Bell Biv DeVoe, Busta Rhymes, Janelle Monáe, De La Soul, Yolanda Adams, Michelle Williams and KiKi Sheard along with appearances by Samuel L. Jackson, Jesse Williams and Angela Bassett. “Our country has been led for the past eight years by an extraordinary president and first lady,” said Debra Lee, Chairman and CEO, BET Networks. “We have all witnessed history in the making and I am humbled…

Houston has a (partial) date with destiny for the holidays. Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child headlines the 97th annual Mayor’s Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting. The festivities happen 6-8 p.m. Dec. 2 at City Hall in Hermann Square in dowtown Houston. The event is free and includes fireworks and the lighting of the massive Christmas tree. The lineup also includes performances by Svet, the “hip-house” violinist featured on “America’s Got Talent;” SoReal Cru, the Houston-based, hip-hop dance group featured on “America’s Best Dance Crew;” and Grammy-nominated family gospel act The Walls Group from Missouri City. Source: Houston Chronicle, City of Houston Events

She became a household name as a member of the Beyoncé-led girl group Destiny’s Child. But with her performance in the title role of The Muny’s 98th season finale of Elton John and Tim Rice’s “Aida,” Michelle Williams proves to be a star in her own right. The role of Aida is a familiar one for Williams. She made her Broadway debut in the role when she replaced Toni Braxton back in 2003. For Monday’s opening night, Williams was met with a rousing applause as she made her final bow. She and the ensemble were worthy of the ovation. ‘Aida’ is a story of forbidden love that manages to grow…

Michelle Williams recently filmed a commercial with current NBA star Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors and former NBA champion Horace Grant for a campaign called “Stand Out” for ‘Foot Locker’. In the commercial, Michelle overhears Draymond and Horace talking about how to stand out and be unique in your own way. The commercial has a funny twist at the end! See for yourself:

Grammy-winning singer Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child fame came to the production of “Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida,” opening Monday at the Muny, with something key. She’d played the title role in the hit musical to acclaim on Broadway in 2003. But the Chicago-area native didn’t want to approach rehearsals wearing that on her sleeves. “I didn’t want to come in like ‘I’ve done this already.’ I wanted to come in fresh. But it did help that I did it before. Some natural blocking came back to me, and that helped the director,” Williams said last week in an interview at the Muny offices during a break from rehearsals.…