
Michelle Williams
Grammy Award-Winning Singer/Songwriter, Actress and Entrepreneur
Is there anything Michelle Williams can’t do? The beautiful and talented star has evolved many times in her life and she is nowhere near done. She’s added Broadway actress, entrepreneur, designer, television host, and inspirational speaker to her already robust resume, and as she enters the second act of her already prolific career, there is…
Categories :
Full Bio
Is there anything Michelle Williams can’t do? The beautiful and talented star has evolved many times in her life and she is nowhere near done. She’s added Broadway actress, entrepreneur, designer, television host, and inspirational speaker to her already robust resume, and as she enters the second act of her already prolific career, there is so much more to come.
Since her days of making hit after hit as a member of Destiny Child, one of the best-selling female groups of all time, and then as a solo artist with four critically acclaimed albums (Heart to Yours, Do Your Know, Unexpected, and Journey to Freedom), Williams has grown professionally and personally. Yes, the Grammy-award winning singer/songwriter has enjoyed the success that her singing career has brought, but she is now focusing on the projects and ventures that she feels she was really put on Earth to do.
One of those ventures is Believe at Home by Michelle Williams, a collection of home products, sold exclusively through the digital commerce company, Evine, consisting of exquisite and vibrant comforters, duvets, coverlets, sheets, and shams. It was her grandmother’s quilting that made Williams want to develop the beautiful and sophisticated line. “My grandmother made all of the bedding in her house, the comforters, the quilts — everything except for the sheets,” Williams remembers. “She would have a house full of grandkids running around, but she’d still be sitting on the sofa, quilting and at peace.”
Williams plans to expand Believe at Home into retail stores and eventually add curtains, bathroom accessories, and furniture to the burgeoning line. For her, the best part of running Believe at Home and being an entrepreneur is seeing her vision come to life. Several years ago, she jotted down the idea for the home line in her journal and now those words are a reality. “It’s not just a thought on the paper anymore,” Williams says. “From that thought to actually having the product in my hands took a lot of work, prayer, trusting people, and sitting with someone who actually believed in the concept and I thank them all.”
Another role that Williams has recently taken on is that of a motivational speaker. Public speaking has become a major part of her life and she is very passionate about it. She has spoken at events and forums across the country—captivating and rousing audiences, young and old. Last spring, she was a special guest speaker at a reception for Hillary Clinton, as well as the keynote speaker at the University of Notre Dame’s “Lunch and Learn.” Williams also moderated GRAMMY Pro’s “Up Close & Personal” panel featuring Lalah Hathaway and other music artists. Later this year, she will be a featured speaker at the Kennedy Forum in Chicago, an annual gathering where national and global thought leaders will discuss the stigma against mental health and substance use disorders.
In addition, Williams has signed on to be an ambassador for the Office on Women’s Health, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to promote awareness about maintaining optimum physical and mental health through nutrition, exercise, and proper medical care, among women and young girls. She also plans to launch her own series of empowerment events, titled the Believe Tour. The seminars will feature panels, workshops, and other programs to inspire people to follow their dreams. “I want to encourage people to have patience and know that if they have an idea, do it. I did a small brunch in New Orleans of about 30 women and we were all in tears afterwards, because so many of those women had ideas that they had brushed aside,” says Williams. “I want to motivate people to keep believing. If they have an old business plan, I want them to dust it off and get to it again.”
Williams also wants to focus on mental health, an issue that has personally affected her and one in which many in the African American community do not like to talk about. But over the last few years, she has been very vocal and candid about her battle with depression, which she was able to overcome through her faith in God and therapy. “I had been dealing with depression since my teens, but back then, I chalked it up to growing pains or hormones. But when it lingered, I was able to put a name to it,” she says. “I had to learn not to entertain negative thoughts because they’re not real.”
In 2003, Williams fell in love with the Broadway stage, where she found solace and serenity, after making her debut in the title role of the hit musical “Aida,” succeeding Toni Braxton. Next, she appeared in a production of “The Color Purple,” playing blues singer Shug Avery in 2007, followed by “Chicago” on Broadway and London’s West End as chorus girl Roxie Hart in 2009, and then the stage play “What My Husband Doesn’t Know” in 2011 and national tour with the musical “Fela!” as Sandra Isadore in 2013. “I love the theater. It has been like therapy for me,” Williams says. “The characters that I play are strong women and they absolutely stay with me way after I’m done with the role. Parts of me are those characters,” she admits.
While Williams plans to continue working in theater, she also wants to land a regular stint on television. After starring in Oxygen network’s series “Fix My Choir” in 2014, as a mentor guiding choirs on their musical careers, and then serving as a guest host on “The View” and “Meredith,” Williams’ goal is to star on a talk show during the day, and then grace the Broadway stage at night. Her charming personality and her ability to command the stage and the small screen has her destined for even more success in both areas.
Williams has taken charge of her career, and her accomplishments have been plentiful, while her evolution has been exhilarating. “As I evolve, I am owing my mistakes, owning my failures, and embracing my sensitivity because that allows me to feel and own my feelings,” she says.
The secret to Michelle Williams’ success has not only been her strong faith, but it’s also the fact that she loves what she does and she follows her dreams and what’s in her heart. “If you are working hard, setting your goals, and you’re a good person, everything you set out to do can be done. Absolutely.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!

LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!

MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!

SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!

SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!

CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!

PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!

FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
A Conversation With Michelle Williams
Women of Color Leading in Excellence and Working toward a More Equitable Society
Message of Empowerment
In 2015 Williams became an entrepreneur of “Believe at Home”, a bedding and home goods line available on EVINE Live
Videos
Small Business Center On The Road Expo Featuring Keynote Speaker Michelle Williams
Michelle Williams on Plans for a Destiny's Child Biopic!
Books
News
Testimonials
GET IDEAS

1 HOUR OR LESS