Houston Chronicle: Michelle Williams Creating her own destiny

Destiny’s Child gave the world classic girl-group harmonies, lots of sequins and the term “bootylicious” (added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2004). Houston native Beyoncé is a worldwide pop powerhouse. Kelly Rowland has carved a successful niche as an R&B vamp.

Michelle Williams, however, might be the biggest risk-taker of them all.

Williams, who joined Destiny’s Child in 2000 and spent time living in Houston, made her first appearance in the “Say My Name” video. As a solo musician, she’s veered from contemporary gospel to high-energy dance anthems – and sometimes a mash-up of both. She starred in “Aida” and “Chicago” on Broadway and earned acclaim for national tours of “The Color Purple” and “Fela!” Williams popped up as judge on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and as a high-kicking contestant on “Strictly Come Dancing” (the original, British version of “Dancing With the Stars”).