Biography
Michelle is one of very few musical artists with proven success across multiple music genres. From gospel, rhythm & blues to pop and dance, Michelle maintains strong positioning across most genres while being highly respected amongst her peers and fans; she is constantly reinventing herself. The multi-talented recording artist-producer-songwriter-actress-entrepreneur delivers an important message: Expect the Unexpected. In her latest album, Michelle forges a fresh and innovative new sound destined to be emulated for years to come. The sparkling, groove-laden tracks present Michelle as she has never been seen before as a saucy club vixen unleashing the ultimate party soundtrack.
She is now lending her voice to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association to deliver another important message. This one is about stroke. Michelle says, “I am honored to partner with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association on Power To End Stroke. My father had a stroke in 2005 because of smoking, diabetes and an unhealthy diet and my grandmother was diagnosed with having a stroke in 2006 when she went to her doctor for a simple outpatient procedure. I want to bring awareness to people so that strokes can be prevented. Let’s take care of ourselves…the first step is knowledge about your health.”
Born and raised in the quaint town of Rockford, Illinois, Michelle first found her voice singing in her church’s choir. While attending Illinois State University majoring in criminal justice, she took the leap of faith towards her passion…music. She landed her first professional job as a background vocalist for R&B singer, Monica. It was there that Beyonce’ and Kelly remembered her when they were looking for a new member.
Michelle rose to fame as a member of the group Destiny’s Child in 2000. With band mates and friends Beyoncé Knowles and Kelly Rowland, Michelle went on to become one of the best-known and beloved performers in the world. The group is documented as the best-selling recording artists of all time. Collectively, Michelle has eleven number one singles and has sold more than 21 million albums in the United States and over 50 million records worldwide. She has received more than 150 awards including three Grammy awards, Billboard Music Awards, MOJO and other awards and accolades. The 2005 disbandment of the group allowed Michelle to further pursue her solo career.
In 2002, Michelle released her first solo album – the Grammy Award winning “Heart to Yours” – which was featured in collaboration with the legendary Shirley Caesar, entered the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart at #1, peaked at #3 on the Top Contemporary Christian Albums chart and became the year’s top-selling Gospel album. Her sophomore project “Do You Know” was released in 2004 and Michelle’s third solo project -pop album “Unexpected”- was released in 2008. “Unexpected” introduced a bold new dance/pop sound for Williams, showcased by the #1 Billboard Hot Dance tracks “We Break the Dawn” and “The Greatest.” In 2012, after much “thought & prayer”, Michelle decided to return to her Gospel roots. Michelle is currently in the studio working on her new album, which is slated for a 2013 release via Light Records.
Michelle Williams’ creative skills have also captivated audiences on theatrical stages and in television. Michelle made her debut on Broadway in 2003 replacing R&B icon Toni Braxton in the title role of Disney’s Aida, the self titled musical by Sir Elton John and Time Rice. In 2007, she took on her greatest acting challenge when she joined the cast of the Broadway smash, The Color Purple for its national tour. She dazzled in the role of strong-willed Shug Avery, performing extended runs in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Phoenix with members of the original Broadway cast. Michelle made history by being the first woman of color to play the role of Roxie Hart on London West End in the production of Chicago in 2009. In January 2010, she returned to Broadway as Roxie Hart in Chicago.
In 2006, Michelle took to the television screen for a hotly touted, ground-breaking multi-episode run in the popular UPN sitcom, Half & Half, in which she played Naomi, a record company executive who is HIV-positive. In 2011, she toured across the US starring in David E. Talbert’s hit stage play “What My Husband Doesn’t Know,” along side co-stars Brian J. White and Morris Chestnut!
“Everyday, I awake and give thanks for the opportunities in my life,’ Michelle says. ‘I never take it for granted. In fact, I celebrate my amazingly good fortune every chance I get. – Michelle’s Official Facebook.
In 2013 Michelle joined the cast of “Fela:The Musical”, later on that year Michelle also released two singles entitled “If We Had Your Eyes” that reached the top 20 of the US Adult R&B songs charts and “Fire”. In June of 2014 she released her chart topping single featuring Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland called “Say Yes” that topped the gospel charts for seven consecutive weeks! September of that same year Michelle released her fourth studio album entitled “Journey to Freedom” which debuted at #29 on the Billboard top 200 and became her second number 2 debut on the US Gospel Albums.In November of 2014 Michelle was featured on a show called “Fix My Choir along side Gospel artist Dietrick Haddon. The following year Michelle went on to release another single from her fourth album called “Believe in Me”, performed at the Stellar Awards with Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland and appeared on the sitcom “Family Time” along with launching her home line “Believe” fall of that year. After several years of not doing theater in August of 2016 Michelle reprised her role as Aida in the Broadway musical “Aida”.Michelle had a busy year in 2017 with multiple television and speaking engagements.In the year 2018 there were amazing consecutive moments that happened that year. In February of 2018 Michelle launched a furniture line that included candles and artwork.Michelle reunited with Beyoncé and Kelly for Beyoncé ‘s Coachella in April and in June went on to play teen angel as the first woman to ever play the role. In the fall she was featured on the OWN Network show “Chad Loves Michelle” with ex-fiance Chad Johnson. Also for a short run Michelle was apart of the Broadway musical “Once On This Island” as Erzulie.
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