Michelle Williams

Keeping her private life private

Best known for being one third of R’n’B super-group Destiny’s Child, Michelle Williams has successfully forged her own career as a solo artist. With three solo albums under her belt and acting credits to her name – specifically, the Broadway productions Aida and The Color Purple—28-year-old Williams is now gracing London’s West End stage in the hit musical Chicago. Her leading role as Roxie Hart marks the first time a black actress has undertaken the role in the West End. Taking a break from rehearsals, Williams talked to FillingTheVoid.co.uk about privacy, popularity and positions in Destiny’s Child.

How do you describe Chicago?
It’s a dark, sexy comedy. You have to really pay attention to the lines so that things don’t go over your head. It’s a great story and it really is a dream come true to be a part of it.

Roxie Hart is known as a fame-hungry character. You don’t come across that way...
No, I’m not. I love what I do and I love the people who love what I do. But I don’t need to be recongnised everywhere I go.

Does it bother you that the internet is making it harder and harder for celebs to keep their private lives private?
It is scary because people always manage to find things out, even when you don’t say anything! But I guess as long as I’m not the one saying the things I don’t wanna say, that’s what matters.

Wouldn’t you prefer to be the one who reveals things about yourself, rather than having others reveal your business?
It depends. If I feel that the world deserves to know something then I’ll share that. To a point, people do deserve to know certain things because they buy my albums and buy tickets to the shows and generally support what I do. If I get married or decide to have children, then I’ll share that. But I won’t share who I’m dating, out of respect for that person and their family. I’m dating someone now but I don’t talk about that because I wanna date like a normal person dates.

People tend to refer to you as the ‘odd one out’ in Destiny’s Child. Did you always feel like a part of the group even though you were the last member to join?
I don’t think I really felt like a part of the group until the Destiny Fulfilled album. But that was ok, because I came into a group that was already established and I understood that there was no time to develop us as a unit. I came in and was like, ‘Ok, what’s my part?’ There was no time for artist development or media training or any of that. What y’all saw was someone who’d come straight from home and from the church and went straight into a group. Well, I’d done background vocals for Monica so I had an idea of what the business was about, particularly touring. But going into Destiny’s Child was a big transition.

Weren’t you bothered that you didn’t get media training or artist development?
No, not at all. I like that I might come across a little bit unlearned – that’s me. I do think artists should have training, but not to the point where they’re no longer being themselves.

What do you say to those who think that it was always intended for Beyoncé to be the lead singer of the group?
Erm... when I got in the group, yes she was [the lead singer]. Prior to me being in the group, I don’t know what the arrangement was.

People think that it was always [manager] Matthew Knowles’ intention for his daughter to be the star...
Hmmm... I don’t like to speak on that.

Did you support Kelly in her decision to part ways with Matthew Knowles and seek new management?
I’m very happy for Kelly. I’ve always felt that she should do what makes her happy.

In recent times, there was an ongoing insinuation in the media that Kelly’s solo career wasn’t doing so well...
Yes it is! She recently had a number one song here in the UK! I think people make the mistake of assuming that if you’re not seen all the time, you’re not doing well. I could pay someone to take pictures of me and put them out, in order to keep my name out there but I’m not interested in that. I get invited to a lot of events, but if it doesn’t mean anything to me, I won’t go. People will be like, ‘You wanna go to such and such’s party?’ And sometimes I’m like, ‘I don’t even know them!’ I go to things that mean something to me or that I want to be a part of. A while back, I was in New York but I flew home to Chicago for Kanye West’s event for his mother’s foundation. That meant something to me.

But in Kelly’s case, it was suggested that she’d been seen out and about too much; as if she was actively seeking publicity...
If you go to an event, there will be honest photographers there who’ll snap your picture and service it to the media. That’s fine.

Ok... Has the recession had any effects on your financial status? I’m definitely being more careful now! Everybody’s lost money, so I can’t act like I haven’t lost money coz I have. But it’ll come back!

Michelle Williams is in Chicago at the Cambridge Theatre, London WC2. Call 0844 412 4652 or visit www.cambridgetheatre.co.uk.