Michelle Williams, born Tenitra Michelle Williams on July 23, 1979, in Rockford, Illinois, is an American singer and actress. She rose to fame in the early 2000s as a member of the R&B girl group Destiny's Child, one of the best-selling female groups of all time.

During her time with the group, she earned several accolades, including a Grammy Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her journey in music began when she was discovered as a background singer for Monica, which eventually led to her joining Destiny's Child.

Her personal life has seen its share of challenges and triumphs. She has been open about her struggles with mental health, becoming one of the first celebrities to publicly discuss her battle with depression.

She is also a dedicated mother to her daughter, Matilda, whom she shares with her late partner, Heath Ledger. Her experiences have shaped her into a mental health advocate, and she hosts a podcast called "Checking In with Michelle Williams" on the iHeartMedia Network.

In her career, Michelle has explored various avenues beyond music. She made her Broadway debut in "Aida" in 2003 and has since starred in several musical productions, including "The Color Purple," "Chicago," and "Fela!". Her versatility as an actress has earned her critical acclaim and multiple award nominations.

Her television career includes roles in the sitcom "Half & Half" and appearances on reality shows like "The Masked Singer."

Her solo music career has been equally successful. Her debut solo album, "Heart to Yours," topped the US gospel album chart and became the best-selling gospel release of the year. She followed this with several other albums, including "Do You Know," "Unexpected," and "Journey to Freedom," which received positive reviews and charted well.

Some of her best-known songs include "We Break the Dawn," "The Greatest," and "Say Yes," which topped the US Hot Gospel Songs chart for seven weeks.