Michelle Williams

After being part of the Biggest Selling Female Group in HISTORY with Destiny’s Child, Michelle Williams is doing the unexpected by releasing her own solo R&B project this summer. After dropping several Gospel albums, successful stints on Broadway later and Michelle has a new sound, a new look and a new album appropriately titled, Unexpected which will be hitting stores Tuesday, October 07, 2008. I had the pleasure speaking with Michelle about her new album and much more, check out the exclusive interview that only we have on The 3XGP.

Felicia: After releasing a few Gospel albums, you are about to drop your first solo R&B record, what can you tell us about Unexpected?

Michelle Williams: It’s a really fun record; it’s more of a dance pop album. It’s so lively and full of so much energy. It’s something nobody expected me to do, I didn’t expect to do it, you know? I was so excited to turn my album in earlier this year and the response I was getting was, “Michelle, are you crazy? This is incredible!” I’m really happy about it because there really isn’t anything out there like it.

Felicia: There has been buzz about this album for quite some time which had folks wondering, will she be doing an R&B record, won’t she, will it be another Gospel album?

Michelle Williams: {Laughs} Nobody ever knows what to expect from me!

Felicia: Hence the title then!

Michelle Williams: Right, exactly!

Felicia: You have the awards, you have the album sales but what sets apart this project from the rest of the female songstresses out there?

Michelle Williams: I would say how the songs are written but it may be just set apart by whose album it is, you know? It gives me a chance to stand with a lot of artists that are coming out this year and I feel like I wouldn’t be saying this to you now if you asked me this two years ago but I can say it now that I strongly believe that this album can stand against any album that’s coming out this year and there’s great music coming out. I’m just happy my album could be amongst one of them and that I can make a contribution to the great music coming out right now.

Felicia: ‘We Break The Dawn’ is the first single off the new album and is a hot club track so my question to you is, what are some of your own do’s and don’ts you can give to the readers of 3XGP when you are hitting up a club?

Michelle Williams: Oh my God, if you don’t know how to dance then just do the one-two step! Just bob your head and do the one-two-one-two {Laughs}. Don’t be trying to out dance anybody and start a dance off, just be cool and that’s my message for the men. For the ladies always keep a tissue around to dab up the oil and the sweat but please don’t drop it like it’s hot and bend over and all that stuff. Let people imagine you doing that but if it’s a hot bangin’ song then maybe go in a corner and do it or something. Just do that!

Felicia: Thanks for the pointers, Michelle!

Michelle Williams: You got it, girl.

Felicia: You have literally performed everywhere in the world and will be hitting the road with this album, do you have any pre performing rituals we should know about?

Michelle Williams: I don’t want to talk before I perform at all. I get so nervous and talking and all that stuff, I can’t handle it.

Michelle Williams the actress on stage on Broadway

Felicia: You have performed on Broadway in The Colour Purple and Aida but will we ever see you dabbling into other ventures of the Entertainment Industry or getting back into Theater?

Michelle Williams: I do have a Bath & Body line coming out soon but I do hope to do a Broadway Show in between albums now.

Felicia: Your sound isn’t the only thing that has evolved with the release of Unexpected but your style as well. Who do you look up to for style inspiration?

Michelle Williams: Wow, style icon? Jennifer Lopez, Halle Berry, hmmm… I don’t know. Wait, I love Jackie O! She was classic and there will never be anyone like that ever.

Listen to Michelle’s new single ‘The Greatest’, produced by Jim Jonsin

Felicia: What’s something ‘Unexpected’ we could find on your iPod?

Michelle Williams: Rick Astley {Laughs} Forvever, foreverrrrr, foreverrrrrr! Don’t you love that song too?

Felicia: “Never Gonna Give You Up” as a classic so now are you going to be doing 80’s covers now?

Michelle Williams: Probably not, it’s one that will be staying in the vault but it is one of my guiltiest pleasures. {laughs}

Michelle Williams performs ‘Hello Heartbreak’ on stage

Felicia: Part of your musical legacy will be that you were part of the most successful female group in history so what do you want people to walk away with after hearing ‘Unexpected’?

Michelle Williams: For me, I have such sentimental reasons behind this album. It proved to me that I can do whatever it is that I put my mind to and not let anyone put me in a box. Music wise, it’s a roller coaster, you don’t know what twist, dip, turn I’m gonna do. It’s an album for people in love, out of love because when I started doing it a few years ago, I had just got out of a relationship so it was very bitter but nobody wants to hear that right now so with this newer album it’s definitely for everybody.

Felicia: If you could be anyone in history who would it be?

Michelle Williams: Would it have to be a performer?

Felicia: No, it could be anyone in any period in time.

Michelle Williams: When people were discovering the earth! I think I would be in Egypt or something! Nefertiti or Cleopatra for sure!

Felicia: If you weren’t doing this what would you be doing, Michelle?

Michelle Williams: I would be an Attorney! My dad always said that with my mouth I would be an Attorney {laughs} I was like, sure, Dad. In College I did take Criminal Justice to make them happy but they like what I’m doing now. I’m okay!

Felicia: What’s next for you?

Michelle Williams: I’m preparing to go to Europe at the end of the month and I’m ready to work till January 1st, actually forever! I want to come to Toronto soon too!

Felicia: Thank you for speaking with me today, all the best with the album that will be dropping on October 7th!

Michelle Williams: No, thank you, Felicia. Take care!