During a very intimate listening session for Michelle Williams’ recently released album, the grammy-winning songstress tells all about her untold story that Journey To Freedom will tell. The album has already hit number one on the gospel charts and has a hit single “Say Yes,” featuring former group members Beyoncé Knowles and Kelly Rowland. The eclectic-styled album is co-produced by musician Harmony Samuels and has an array of different sounds and styles of R&B and gospel sound.
In light of her 12-song autobiographical album, Vixen chatted with the Rockford, Illinois native about 12 things you may not have known about the real Michelle. The forthcoming album is basically a chronology of the singers’ life that we have yet to learn about. We all know the Michelle from Destiny’s Child that went on to become a gospel singer, but we do not know her humble beginnings and inner being. Read on to find out some ungoogleable facts about the singer/songwriter.
Photo Credit(s): Getty Images
What would you tell your 16-year-old self?
You don’t know everything. That’s an age we’re you’re growing and you’re learning and you do know some things because you go to school and you’re educated. I was always up on the news and all that kind of stuff, but still you don’t know everything.
What is an ungoogleable fact about you?
At the age of 16, I took my dad’s car without permission. I think all of us do that at least once in our lives. There was this gas station literally less that a mile a way. We didn’t have a whole lot in my town for young people to do, so there was this gas station parking lot where all the cool people would hang out. There was this guy that I has a crush on and he would always be there. He had these rims on his car and everybody would go there to show off their cars and girls would go there too. So I wanted to be cool and show everybody that I just got my license, so I was acting like I was just going to go and get something to drink. I got in the car and got into an accident literally around the corner from my house. Funny enough, my father laughed about it because he said he had done the same thing to his dad. He was mad for a split second. I ended up having to pay him back even though we had insurance, so every time I got a check I had to give some to my dad. It showed me responsibility.
Three most important values?
Integrity, treating people how I want to be treated, and work for what you want and not expecting someone to do it for you.
Lessons that you learned from failure?
Failure is not a permanent thing. It’s only permanent if you don’t try again. You can always get a different result and you can always try the same thing again. The first time I took my drivers test, I didn’t pass. I had to practice more. You go back and study and then you’ll pass. That’s just with life.
What is your favorite quote?
“I had a purpose before you had an opinion.”
Lessons you learned from success?
It’s not what I thought it was going to be and it’s not what everyone thinks it’s going to be. It’s hard to maintain. It’s less glamorous. It’s more work and more business.
What is a bad habit that you have?
Overthinking and overanalyzing everything.
What is your favorite song of all time?
I always think of older songs that remind me of why I love music. I have to be honest and say that I don’t have a favorite song of all time. I’m still a consumer of music, so when I think of all the music I’ve bought over the years there’s just too much.
What’s an item that you own that you cannot live without?
My phone.
What was the first album that you purchased?
Whitney Houston I’m Your Baby Tonight.
If your life were a song what would be its title?
There’s a song on my album that I believe is autobiographical called “Believe In Me.” That is my life song.