Tenitra Michelle Williams (born July 23, 1979) is an American singer, actor, and television personality. She is known part of the R&B/Pop trio Destiny's Child, having joined in 2000 after a highly publicized and tumultuous group lineup change. After the group went on hiatus, Williams would start her own solo career in Gospel Music with her first solo album Heart to Yours (though her third album Unexpected was a Genre Shift to dance music). She has appeared in several reality TV show singing competitions (including no less than three different versions of The Masked Singer), on Broadway and made her acting debut in Half & Half in a recurring guest spot.
She has also made public her struggles with depression, and is an activist to bring awareness to the mental illness.
Not to be confused with the actor Michelle Williams, known for Dawson's Creek and Brokeback Mountain.
Discography
- Heart to Yours (2002)
- Do You Know (2004)
- Unexpected (2008)
- Journey to Freedom (2014)
Filmography
Television
- Half & Half (2006) - Naomi Dawson, recurring role; three episodes
- Strictly Come Dancing (2010) - Eighth season contestant
- Raven's Home (2018) - Shinée DuBois, guest appearance; two episodes
- American Soul (2019) - Diana Ross, guest appearance
- The Masked Singer (2019) - Herself
- The Masked Singer (UK) (2022) - Herself
- The Masked Singer Australia (2022) - Herself
Theatre
- Aida (2003 and 2016) - Aida (Lead role; Broadway)
- The Color Purple (2007) - Shug Avery (Supporting role; National Tour)
- Chicago (2009-2010) - Roxie Hart (West End, Broadway, National Tour)
- Once on This Island (2018-2019) - Erzulie (Supporting role, Broadway)
Tropes:
- Gospel Music: Her solo work is mostly in this genre.
- Innocent Soprano: Her singing style is in the soprano style, and compared to Beyoncé and Kelly, she was the most demure of the group and mostly singing gospel.
- Melismatic Vocals: Just like her bandmates, her singing style has a lot of vocal gymnastics.
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More Popular Replacement: Though not an original, Michelle became an essential member of Destiny's Child and eclipsed LeToya and LaTavia in popularity. Whenever Destiny's Child reunites, Michelle is there. - New Sound Album: Her solo albums are all gospel R&B with the exception of Unexpected, which was a Dance/R&B album.
- Sixth Ranger: She joined Destiny's Child in 2000 along with Farrah Franklin, though Franklin would later leave and/or be fired after 5 months. Williams stayed and the group became a trio.
