Michelle Williams: Faith, Bullies, and Barack Obama

Michelle Williams is a woman that we at Girl Got Faith totally admire. Her life appears to be a collection of successes from starting her music career as part of the world-famous Destiny’s Child alongside Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland, and venturing into acting on Broadway, her own homeware line, and a super successful career as a solo artist. Michelle wasn’t lying when she sang ‘when Jesus says yes nobody can say no!’ She’s even had the nod of approval from President Barack Obama and paid a visit to the White House just last week!

So how did she get there and what advice can she share with us?

Well, we chatted to her to find out!

When we see our fave celebs in the media in all their glamour and superstar glory, it’s easy to forget they were once a normal kid just like we were. What was it like growing up in your house?

Growing up in my house was probably like any other household. Fun moments, sad moments, fights with siblings, me being mad at my mum because she wouldn’t let me hang out with friends and talk to boys!

We sure can relate to that! How old were you when you first started singing?

I started singing when I was about four years old. I sang my first solo in church at the age of seven, it was a hymn called Blessed Assurance.

So you must have known from a young age that singing was what you wanted to do. Did you ever explore any other career interests?

I always loved music but I never saw myself singing or being in Destiny’s Child. I actually studied criminal justice in college but I guess God had other plans. I still encourage education, get as much of it as you can.

Definitely. We are so lucky to have access to education as there are so many girls around the world who are denied this basic right!

How cool that even though singing wasn’t necessarily your plan, God made it happen. What did you enjoy most about being a part of Destiny’s Child and now a solo artist?

I enjoyed the sisterhood of Destiny’s Child. I really enjoy travelling around the world touching the lives of so many people through music. It’s amazing what music can do!

And you truly did travel the whole world! How did you find strength as a Christian in a secular girl band and were there ever any choices you had to make to stand firm in your faith?

It wasn’t hard at all. It wasn’t hard because Beyoncé and Kelly are also Christian. Beyoncé’s mum always made sure we had bible study on the road, and if we were home on a Sunday in LA or Houston, we all went to church together. But just be yourself and people will gravitate to the light in you. When people know what you stand for they’ll either want to know more about you and what makes you unique, or they’ll go the other way because they know you don’t stand for negativity, bullying, and so on.

Great advice! As someone who has done a number of different things including singing, acting, designing and more, do you feel it’s more important to do what you love or what you are good at?

If you can love what you’re good at then you’re blessed for sure! LOL! I say do what you love, do what you’re passionate about! So many people are good at the work they do but are wishing they could really do what they desire. Sometimes you do have to work jobs that you don’t like until you can do the job that you love. Just be wise and use everything for your good.

You recently posted something on your Instagram about online hate and bullying. Have you personally experienced online bullying and how did you handle it?

I have definitely experienced online bullying. There are good things and bad things about being a public figure. Everyone thinks that they can just go on your page and leave mean comments. I’m very engaging with my followers and supporters so I will always see mean things, I just block them.

The only way for me to NOT see mean comments is to never look at my social media pages. I don’t wanna do that because there are more people that love than hate. Sometimes the hate may stick out a little more.

You can’t take it personal either. To the Girl Got Faith readers, remember that everything you post lives on the internet forever. People have been fired from jobs or their applications denied simply because of the content on their pages. Don’t leave mean comments, don’t embarrass or humiliate others, use your page to be a forum of love!

Describe yourself in three words…

I am funny, loving, and AWESOME… sometimes you gotta remind yourself that you are fearfully and wonderfully made!

Love that! If we got to hang out with you for a day, what would we get up to?

We’d go to Nando’s for sure, we’d paddle boat in Hyde Park, go back to my flat or hotel room and watch movies and laugh all day/night!

Nando’s is the BEST! We’re glad you’re a fan. What was your highlight of 2016?

The highlight of 2016 was coming to London about five times…it’s my second home! I’d also say spending time with President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama was definitely a dream come true!

WOW! What a year! Are there any exciting things coming up for you?

I will be in London on December 11th and December 31st, singing at two churches so you guys have to come see me! I will also be focusing more on my home line and foundation called Believe.

Michelle, you are amazing. Thank you for taking the time to chat with us!

I love you girls and just know that if you keep God first, be kind to others and work hard you can realise all your dreams!

We feel truly inspired and hope that you do too! If you want to keep up to date with all the latest from Michelle follow her on Instagram and you can check out her homeware line here.

Girl Got Faith’s founding editor, Emma Borquaye, with Michelle Williams