CliqueClackIt’s time to give Destiny’s Child’s Michelle Williams her props
Haters gonna hate. No one knows this better than Michelle Williams. In this week’s Clacking in Color, the groovy column about ethnic diversity in Hollywood, writer Jaylen Christie gives the singer much due credit for doing great during the Super Bowl performance with Beyonce!
Alright, old school Destiny’s Child fans. This one is for you.
Say what you will about Michelle Williams, but I think that the chick is awesome. I’ve always had a thing for Williams. Perhaps it’s because I’ve always seen her as a bit of the underdog of the group. Oh, how I remember when she was brought on way back in the early 2000’s as one of the replacements for two of the group’s original members. If anyone can remember correctly, it was Beyonce who was doing all of the singing back then. Williams didn’t really get a chance to shine until she was given the opportunity to display her vocal talents — usually being tasked with singing the bridge of such hits as “Survivor” and my personal favorite, “Bootylicious.”
Now, I’m not even going to front — her voice is a little different from Beyonce and Kelly’s which is fine by me. Hell, this column is about diversity, you know. Michelle Williams has the kind of sultry raspy voice that could do wonders for uplifting inspirational songs or entertaining jazz numbers. In my humble opinion, her turn on “Stand Up for Love” eclipsed both Beyonce and Kelly’s verses. Still, that doesn’t seem to keep the haters from talking negatively about her.
Last week, I wrote a column on Hispanic actress Justina Machado and how it pays to be an actor and not a celebrity. I mentioned how celebrities can attract a crap ton of negative attention even when they’ve done absolutely nothing wrong. Well, I think this is what may have happened with Michelle Williams. When you’re in the spotlight as much as she was during her Destiny’s Child era, sometimes you can get disapproving attention from downbeat fans … or even unruly singers such as Keyshia Cole who took to Twitter to negatively bash Williams for her performance during the Super Bowl.
Who the hell is she to talk?
I mean, seriously: Was that tweet necessary? Maybe she was drunk. Perhaps she was high. Or both. Either way, the comment was uncalled for and I feel it kind of reinforces this negative stereotype of women being catty … especially women of color. I’m looking at you, Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey! As for the remaining Williams bashers — ya’ll ’bout to get off my dawg. She was on stage. We weren’t. She got paid a crap ton of cash. We didn’t. Hmm … next paragraph.
Growing up, I used to have aspirations of making it big in Hollywood, but now, when I hear stories like Cole’s negative tweet, I rethink those aspirations. You have to have tough skin to be a performer and I’m sure Williams does. It’s nice to know that her fans rallied in her defense. What people need to realize is that everyone is different. Clearly the woman has talent if Beyonce chose her to be in the group. So, what’s the big deal anyway? Instead of hating, shouldn’t we just give Williams her props? If you won’t then I certainly will. Way to go, Michelle! It was great to see you back on stage! Now go cash that damn check, sistah.
And let me hold twenty dollars.
Do you enjoy reading Clacking in Color? Jaylen sure as hell hopes so. Keep up with his opinions and ponderings by following him on Twitter @thesuperflynerd!
7 Comments on “It’s time to give Destiny’s Child’s Michelle Williams her props”
I loved this one! Your last one liners are SO FUNNY! “And let me hold $20″ I HEARD THAT! Anyway, man, I totally concur with what you wrote in this column. MW is doing her thing and she’s doing it well. ALL of her solo albums have been great and I own them ALL. Her gospel albums are wonderful and Unexpected–while it was unexpected–had a great electro-pop sound that got awesome reviews. Wasn’t MW the first or second one to come put with a solo album? I only own one of Kelly’s albums and I think she’s just hit her third album. All of those ladies are doing well and none of them are lacking in stardom or talent–obviously, you can’t compare Kelly or MW to Beyonce “Queen B” Carter, but they are doing much better than say Keyshia Cole…who was OBVIOUSLY DRUNK OR HIGH OR BOTH when she sent those tweets. That’s ignorant. Great timely write-up. Jay!
I agree with you Jay. MW has a lot of talent and some people are going to hate for no matter what. How many of the haters would love to be in her shoes.
Way to go Jay!!!! This is a great come back to what was twitted about Michelle by Keyshia Cole. In the world that we live in you will always have your critics but it is not what they have to say about you, it is what you believe about yourself. Keep pressing on Michelle. God has your back!!!
Keep on clacking Jay and I will keep on reading…….now give me $20.00!!!
Jay, I forgot to congratulate you on your 100th editorial for CliqueClack! Keep up the fantastic job you are doing……you are simply the best!!!
I agree with you. Michelle’s voice is unique. There’s nothing wrong with that. Besides, you must keep in mind that Bey and Kelly have been doing this since childhood and Michelle has not. When she first started in Destiny’s Child, she had to learn in a few months what they have had 20 years to perfect. Michelle is classy, beautiful and she seems like a nice lady in interviews. I am a fan!
GREAT article! Nice to see someone applauding Michelle for once.
She’s done Aida and Chicago on Broadway and national tours of The Color Purple and What My Husband Doesn’t Know (where she originated the lead role of Lena – now available on DVD). She just joined the national tour of Fela!
PLUS, she’s released 3 critically-acclaimed solo albums, the first being the best-selling gospel album of 2002 and the first solo release by a DC member. Her last spawned UK top 50 and US dance smash We Break the Dawn and US Dance #1 The Greatest (#39 decade-end chart)
WATCH HER IN FELA! here:
Oh another treat for you
Keyshia Cole VS Michelle Williams: VOCAL BATTLE