The Michelle Williams that Matilda calls Mommy has been making headlines for her new movie ‘Synecdoche’ and romance with Spike Jonze, but there’s another Michelle Williams who’s had a big week.
The former Destiny’s Child songstress released her latest solo album, ‘Unexpected,’ last week. The album’s moniker is appropriate, considering that Michelle Williams has departed from her usual gospel flows to disco and dance-pop in this latest release.
Michelle Williams has done much to step out from the giant shadow cast by Destiny’s Child. She’s made television appearances on UPN’s ‘Half & Half,’ as well as Fox’s ‘Celebrity Duets.’ Williams has also performed on Broadway in ‘Aida’ and on Chicago stages as Shug Avery in ‘The Color Purple.’
Michelle Williams credits her 2007 role as Avery for her empowered transition from gospel to pop for ‘Unexpected.’ As Williams tells the Dallas News, "Playing Shug Avery put a little fire in my soul. I even told myself in the beginning that I couldn’t do it, but I carried some of her boldness with me."
‘Unexpected' Solo Albums
Michelle Williams Goes from Gospel to Dance-Pop
Trend Themes
1. Disco Revival - The unexpected shift in Michelle Williams' music from gospel to disco and dance-pop reflects a growing trend of the disco revival in the music industry.
2. Cross-genre Exploration - Michelle Williams' departure from her usual gospel flows to disco and dance-pop highlights a trend of artists exploring different genres and breaking traditional genre boundaries.
3. Empowered Transition - Michelle Williams' empowered transition from gospel to pop for her solo album 'Unexpected' indicates a trend of artists taking control of their own creative direction and pursuing new musical ventures.
Industry Implications
1. Music Industry - The music industry could capitalize on the disco revival trend by promoting and supporting artists who incorporate disco elements into their music, creating opportunities for new and unique sounds.
2. Entertainment Industry - The entertainment industry can explore cross-genre collaborations between artists from different genres, providing opportunities for innovative and experimental music that appeals to a wider audience.
3. Personal Development Industry - The personal development industry can leverage the concept of empowered transitions to create products and services that help individuals navigate and embrace new opportunities and changes in their personal and professional lives.