Michelle Williams talks business and Obama – just don’t ask her about Destiny’s Child!
FABULOUS catches up with the singer at a swanky London hotel
WE put on our pyjamas and chat to the 36-year-old singer about Destiny’s Child, Obama and the West End.
Hey, Michelle! Do you love a night in?
Yes. I’m on the road all the time, but when I have an evening at home I’ll lounge on my bed watching TV, reading magazines or writing songs.
Is your lifestyle quite showbiz normally?
I try to live a modest life. I have friends who are doctors, teachers and wedding planners, as well as famous friends. So my life is well-rounded. When you only have famous friends, it doesn’t make you reach for anything. My [non-famous] friends work hard throughout the week – they’re the ones who inspire me.
But you must still be pals with your Destiny’s Child band mates Beyoncé, 34, and Kelly Rowland, 35?
Absolutely, we stay in touch.
Did you realise how popular Destiny’s Child were going to be when you first joined in 2000?
Not really. But then there was a point after Independent Women [Destiny’s Child’s first UK No.1 single] when everything blew up. That’s when I realised it was for real. Being in the band was one of the best experiences, which I’ll always cherish.
Did your life change overnight?
Of course – when more people know your name it’s different. But other than that, I tried to keep my life as normal as possible. My friends and family have always kept me grounded.
Beyoncé practically runs the world now! Was it obvious back then that she’d become such a huge celebrity?
We’re done on the DC questions. It’s in my past and now I’m focusing on my bedding business. So that’s where I’m at.
Oh… OK then. You’ve recently launched your bedding range – have you always been entrepreneurial?
You have to be in this business. You have to find creative ways to sustain yourself and to do the things you love.
What’s the best career advice you could give to other businesswomen?
Trust your instincts, be thick-skinned and don’t ask too many people their opinion. If you have an idea of what you want, it can throw you when you start asking people their views. In the past, when I’ve been afraid of doing what I wanted to do, I’ve been guilty of that.
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You sang for Michelle and Barack Obama at the White House last year. What was that like?
It was phenomenal. I sang Say Yes from my solo album Journey To Freedom. They were sitting in the front row and whenever I looked at them they were singing the words to my song. I was so blown away.
Did you get to meet the president afterwards?
Absolutely, he’s amazing. I met him before he was president. He lived in Chicago like me, and we sat next to each other at a basketball game. I said to him: “I can’t wait for you to be president,” and he just laughed it off. He was a senator at the time. I brought it up when I saw him last year and he remembered. It was pretty special.
You played Roxie Hart in the West End production of Chicago in 2009 – would you return to the stage?
I love theatre. I can’t wait to do it again some time in the future. I hope the opportunity comes up.
You seem to work non-stop – what keeps you going?
As long as I have goals, and as long as I can do the things I want to do at the age of 70, then I won’t stop.
BTW
- Michelle munched on a couple of Celebrations chocolates during the shoot.
- She confessed that if she skips going to the gym, she has to pay her sister £20.
- She loves mashed potato, but doesn’t like cooking it as she hates messing up her kitchen!
Michelle’s bedding range Believe At Home is available at Evine.com. Her album Journey To Freedom is out now.