Tenitra Williams

Tenitra Michelle Williams (born July 23, 1979) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She rose to fame in the 2000s as a member of R&B girl group Destiny's Child, one of the best-selling female groups of all time with over 60 million records, of which more than 35 million copies sold with the trio lineup that included Williams. During her time in the group she earned several accolades including a Grammy Award and star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

During the group's two-year hiatus, 2001–2003, Williams released her debut solo album ''Heart to Yours'' (2002) which topped the US gospel album chart and became the best-selling gospel release of the year. That same year, '' Billboard'' named Williams the fifth best-charting gospel artist of the year and she received a MOBO Award for "Best Gospel Act". Following this, she released her second solo album '' Do You Know'' (2004). After Destiny's Child's disbandment in 2006, Williams released her first pop album, '' Unexpected'' (2008), which spawned the singles "We Break the Dawn" and the US Dance number-one " The Greatest". Her fourth studio album, ''Journey to Freedom'' (2014), received positive reviews and became her highest-charting album in the US; it includes the singles "If We Had Your Eyes", and " Say Yes" which topped the US Hot Gospel Songs chart for seven weeks, and won the Stellar Award for Music Video of the Year.

Williams has found success as a television, Broadway and West End theatre actress, gaining a nomination for " Best Lead Female – Equity" in 2008 at the 18th Annual NAACP Theatre Awards. Making her acting debut on Broadway in ''Aida'' (2003), she has since starred in the sitcom series ''Half & Half'' (2006) and the musical productions ''The Color Purple'' (2007), ''Chicago'' (2009–10), '' What My Husband Doesn't Know'' (2011) and ''Fela!'' (2013). She was a featured judge on ''MTV's Top Pop Group'', a contestant on season 8 of '' Strictly Come Dancing'' in the United Kingdom, and starred in the Oxygen reality television series ''Fix My Choir''. She has also appeared on the American, British, and Australian versions of ''The Masked Singer''.

Life and career

1979–1999: Early life

Tenitra Michelle Williams was born in Rockford, Illinois, on July 23, 1979, to Anita Williams (née Washington) and Dennis Williams III (1952–2020). She has three siblings: elder brother Erron, who is also a musician, elder sister Cameron, and younger sister Danielle. Williams made her musical debut at the age of seven, performing a rendition of the hymn "Blessed Assurance" at the St. Paul Church of God in Christ. She later sang in the gospel groups United Harmony and Chosen Expression.

Williams graduated from Rockford Auburn High School in 1997. Shortly after graduating, she pursued a degree in criminal justice at Illinois State University, doubtful of her ability to make a career as a professional singer. However, after two years of college, she left to pursue a music career, as a backing vocalist for other artists such as Monica. In late 1999, 20-year-old Williams met Destiny's Child band members Beyoncé Knowles and Kelly Rowland in the lobby of an Atlanta hotel. Several months later, a choreographer acquaintance of Williams who knew the group connected Williams to the Knowles family and Rowland, as they were vetting potential new group members.

2000–2003: Breakthrough with Destiny's Child, ''Heart to Yours'' and ''Aida''

After the much-publicized turmoil, Williams, alongside Farrah Franklin, officially joined the group in early 2000, replacing LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson without notice. Buoyed by the group's breakout success, Luckett and Roberson had both attempted to split with the group's manager Mathew Knowles in late 1999, claiming that he kept a disproportionate share of the band's profits and unfairly favored Knowles and Rowland. The issue was heightened after Williams and Franklin appeared in the video of "Say My Name", implying that the original band members were already replaced. Franklin, however, faded from the group after five months, as evidenced by her absences during promotional appearances and concerts. Franklin attributed her departure to negative vibes in the group resulting from the strife. After settling on this final lineup, the trio released "Independent Women Part I", which appeared on the soundtrack to the 2000 film '' Charlie's Angels''. It became their best-charting single yet, topping the official US singles chart for eleven consecutive weeks; the success cemented the new lineup and skyrocketed them to fame.

In May 2001, Destiny's Child released the group's third studio album '' Survivor''. It debuted at number one on the US ''Billboard'' 200 with sales of 663,000 copies. ''Survivor'' has sold over twelve million copies worldwide, 4.1 million of which were sold in the US alone. The album's other number-one hits are "Bootylicious" and the title track " Survivor", the latter earning the group a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. In October 2001, Destiny's Child released their holiday album, ''8 Days of Christmas''. Before releasing the 2002 compilation album, '' This Is the Remix'', the group announced their temporary break-up to pursue solo projects.

While Williams was still with Destiny's Child, she intensified work on her debut solo album ''Heart to Yours''. The album material included collaborations with singers Carl Thomas, Shirley Caesar and the Mary Mary duo, taking the singer's work further into urban contemporary gospel and Christian music. "Some people will do gospel when their career fails, but I chose to do it at the height of the popularity of Destiny's Child", Williams explained during the album's release. "And I didn't want to do it because it was a fad. I wanted to do it because it's in me. It's in my heart." Released on April 16, 2002, in North America to much critical acclaim, Williams became the first member of Destiny's Child to release solo material with ''Heart to Yours''. The album sold 20,000 copies in its first week, placing it at number fifty-seven on the ''Billboard'' 200 and number two on the '' Billboard'' Gospel Albums chart, where it later rose to number one. It became the year's best-selling gospel album, selling more than 220,000 units in the US, as of 2008. A music video for the album's first and only single, "Heard a Word", was produced by film director Sylvain White. ''Heart to Yours'' won Williams a MOBO Award for "Best Gospel Act" along with a raft of nominations including a Stellar Award nomination for "New Artist of the Year", a GMWA Excellence Award nomination for "Female Vocalist of the Year Urban Contemporary" and a GMA Dove Award nomination for "Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year" for her collaboration with Shirley Caesar on "Steal Away To Jesus" which was first featured on Caesar's ''Hymns'' album. ''Billboard'' listed Williams as the fifth Top Gospel Artist of 2002.

In August 2002, Williams embarked on her first tour as a solo artist in promotion of her debut album. Sponsored by Burger King, the 19-date BK Got Music Summer Soul Tour also featured Luther Vandross, Angie Stone and Gerald Levert. Following the release and promotion of ''Heart to Yours'', Williams made her on-stage acting debut in 2003, replacing fellow singer Toni Braxton in the title role of ''Aida'', the hit Broadway musical with music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice. She was the first and remains the only Destiny's Child member to have acted on Broadway.

2004–2007: Destiny's Child's final projects, ''Do You Know'' and acting debut

During the release of her fellow Destiny's Child members' debut albums, Williams spent time in the studio, recording her second album. The album saw her generally re-teaming with the majority of the producers and songwriters from her previous effort, also including Solange Knowles, Dawkins & Dawkins, and brother Erron Williams.Music World Entertainment (2004) Michelle Williams – Do You Know (Liner Notes) ''Columbia Records''. However, released on January 26, 2004, in the United States, ''Do You Know'' reached a disappointing number one-hundred-and-twenty on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart, selling 10,000 copies in its first week despite a warm reception from critics who lent praise to Williams' songwriting ability. Once again, Williams scored more success on the component charts, where the album debuted at number two on the Top Gospel Albums chart and number three on the top Christian Albums tally. The album was later re-released, including previously unreleased songs, to find greater success but did not re-chart; its same-titled lead single also failed to chart. As of March 2008, ''Do You Know'' has sold 78,000 copies in the US.

After a three-year hiatus, Destiny's Child reunited for ''Destiny Fulfilled'', released in November 2004. The album hit number two on the ''Billboard'' 200, and spawned the singles "Lose My Breath", "Soldier", "Girl" and "Cater 2 U". In support of the album, Destiny's Child embarked on a 2005 '' Destiny Fulfilled ... And Lovin' It'' world tour, which started in April to September of the same year. On the Barcelona, Spain visit, the group announced their disbandment after their final North American leg would end. In October 2005, the group released a greatest hits compilation album, titled '' #1's'', including their most successful singles alongside three new tracks, including the band's final single " Stand Up for Love", penned by David Foster. Destiny's Child was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in March 2006. They were also recognized as the world's best-selling female group of all time.

Following Destiny's Child's disbandment in early 2006, Williams made her television debut in the UPN comedy ''Half & Half'', where she played the role of Naomi, a record company executive who is HIV positive. Later that year, she appeared as one of the celebrity singers on the FOX reality television show ''Celebrity Duets'', duetting with actors Alfonso Ribeiro and Jai Rodriguez. In April 2006, Williams performed "America the Beautiful" at World Wrestling Entertainment's event WrestleMania 22, which was in her hometown of Chicago. Beginning in April 2007, Williams joined Oprah Winfrey's Chicago-based cast of the hit Broadway musical ''The Color Purple'' for its national tour, starting with an extended run at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Williams described the opportunity as "a dream come true", playing the part of blues singer Shug Avery, which earned her positive reception.

2008–2010: ''Unexpected'', ''Chicago'' and label troubles

In March 2008, Williams announced the release of her third studio album ''Unexpected'' on October 7, 2008. A breakaway from the gospel music on her first two solo albums to secular pop/R&B, the album, her first release since the disbanding of Destiny's Child, involves production by Stargate, Rico Love, Wayne Wilkins, and Soulshock and Karlin, among others. In June 2008, Williams released lead single "We Break the Dawn" to universal acclaim from critics who hailed it as "a terrific fusion of European disco and American R&B". The song became her most successful single yet, peaking at number four on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart, topping the US Hot Dance Airplay chart and reaching the top 50 in the UK and top 40 in Hungary — where it also placed on the 2009 year-end chart. In September 2008, " The Greatest" was issued as the second single release to mainstream radio, while " Hello Heartbreak" was catered to dance clubs. "The Greatest" became Williams' second hit on the ''Billboard'' dance charts when it peaked at number-one the US Hot Dance Club Songs. Gaining favorable reviews from critics, in October 2008 '' Unexpected'' debuted on the US ''Billboard'' 200 albums chart at number 42 and number 11 on the US ''Billboard'' Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, with first week sales of 14,618 units. The album also charted internationally, in the UK and Japan.

On July 13, 2009, Williams began a limited six-week engagement at the Cambridge Theatre in ''Chicago'', making her the first African-American to be cast in the West End production of the musical. Her run was extended and Williams continued appearing for three additional weeks for an extended engagement starting August 23 through September 12. On January 12, 2010, it was announced that Michelle had parted ways with her manager Mathew Knowles and Music World Entertainment. On February 8, Williams made a return to Broadway by commencing a seven-week limited engagement in ''Chicago'' at the Ambassador Theatre, replacing Ashlee Simpson. In April, it was announced that Williams would extend her limited engagement in ''Chicago''.

In August 2010, it was reported that Williams would be participating on season 8 of the British television dance competition show '' Strictly Come Dancing'', the originator of the global '' Dancing with the Stars'' franchise. On the launch show, it was revealed that Williams had been paired with Brendan Cole. They remained in the competition for seven weeks with variable results; on October 23, Ian Waite stood in as her professional partner when Brendan was unable to do so. Williams was eliminated on November 14. In December 2010, Williams joined DJ Martin Jay to become a co-host on Choice FM's ''Breakfast Show'' in London for the month, replacing Lucy Ambache who was on maternity leave. On December 15, Williams released the song "Stay for a Minute", a leftover from ''Unexpected'' for free digital download via Twitter to celebrate gaining over 100,000 followers.

2011–2014: Acting, label change and ''Journey to Freedom''

In January 2011, Williams appeared on BBC
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