MICHELLE JOINS ‘THE COLOR PURPLE’
Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Michelle Williams of R&B group Destiny’s Child is joining the Chicago production of “The Color Purple,” the producers announced Tuesday.
Williams will play the role of Shug Avery, a sexy blues singer.The stage version of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel will open in Chicago on April 17. It also is still playing on Broadway.
Several of the stars of the New York production — including Jeannette Bayardelle, who plays the lead character of Celie, and Felicia P. Fields, who received a Tony nomination for her portrayal of the feisty Sofia — are joining the tour in Chicago.
The large cast, including Williams, appeared at a media event at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Bayardelle and Fields both performed numbers from the show.
Producer Scott Sanders said casting Williams as Shug Avery seemed like a natural choice because Shug is the one character in the musical who has “seen the world.” READ MORE AT ABC>>
And she definitely has seen the world being the third wheel in Destiny’s Child. But I’m glad Michelle is getting the chance to be the sex kitten these days, plus I think she’ll be able to carry out the famous line - “YOU SHO IS UGGLY!!”








88 Comments
COMMENT PAGES: [1] 2 » Show All
1.
KinaKina
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Oh wow, good luck Michelle!
2.
HOLLYWOOD
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
THATS GOOD TO HEAR. MICHELLE IS LOOKING GOOD TOO.
CONGRATS!
3.
AISHA
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
OK MICHELLE!!!
SHUG AVERY WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE CHARACTERS FROM THAT MOVIE, ESPECIALLY WHEN SHE SINGING ON HER WAY TO THE CHURCH
MICHELLE BETTA DO HER THING
4.
Casey Boule
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Good for her…Now only if Kelly could get herself together and venture out from under the Knowles clan she may be able to start making new money
5.
TANNA AKA NE-HO
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
TEAM MICHELLE!!! LOL She was great in Aida. She will be great in this. GO MICHELLE!
6.
babytimah_06
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Hey I’m so excited for her. Finally she can be up front and we can see her talent!!!
7.
jscene
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Congrats to Michelle! I can totally see her playing Shug. Good Job.
8.
Quietstorm
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Good for her, but can she pull off such a sexy role? Shug had sex appeal and Michelle was somwhat stiff during her DC days. Then again I think her voice will carry her far.
9.
bill
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
That’s great news !
I know she will do extremly well !!
10.
Paula D.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Damn! I’m going to see the play in August in Chi-town. Michelle’s voice is always suspect to me! I hope she can pull it off.
11.
Bluey
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Well congrats to her no-talent-havin ass! Hopefully she won’t fall off the stage a la 106 n Park
12.
JillyBean819
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Isn’t that a role where she’s going to have to sing? Because that heffa can’t sing…
13.
diva69
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
good for her….there is life after destiny’s child…lol
14.
cocacola72284
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Go Michelle! Congratulations!!
15.
WhoInDaHellLeftDaGateOpen?
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Good for her. I’ve always liked Michelle. She even looks good in that pic. She’s on a roll… meanwhile Tina is trying her best to get an emergency Hep A shot for her Bee-yawnce. I wish I lived in Chi-town. She did well in Aida and I think this will be a good showing for her too. Cool…
16.
STAN PATROL
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
I like that choice. Go Michelle!
17.
DIVA
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
i may go see this - i luved shug - shug was da bomb too with her lil lesbo self….
butt hat line will go down in history - i have laughed for yrs after that line - u sure is ugly..
the funnier thing was that she looked ugly saying that…lol
18.
God's 13th Disciple
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
ANd yall say Daddy Knowles dont do his job for anyone but Beyonce
Fuck that…this is what he did for Michelle…
no favoritism
19.
hood_shit
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
BORED!
20.
ms_mac
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Ironic that she’ll be telling somebody else that they shole is ugly.
21.
Meatloaf
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Working with soul man Quincy “Viagraman” Jones!
Look Daddy, “I’s married now!” “See, sinners have souls too!”
and
“Maybe God’s trying to tell you something!”
I hope Beyonce’ will play the role of Harpos second wife so she can call Sophia “just an old phat heffa”!
I thought Fantasia was joining the cast too!
22.
KEEKAMEEKA24
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
GO MICHELLE WILLIAMZ… SHE DOIN HER THANG 2… I’D PICK MICHELLE OVER KELLY ANY DAY… I LOVE MICHELLE VOICE… BUT I JUS HAVE ONE CONCERN WHY EVERYTIME I GO ON A WEBSITE YALL MUTHAFUCKAZ TLK BD ABT THE KNOWLEZ WHEN N FACT YALL DNT KNO SHIT REALLY… IF MICHELLE N KELLY WUZNT HAPPY OR WHATEVER DEN DEY WOULD FIRE MR. KNOWLES AS THERE MANAGER… YALL JUS NEED 2 STOP… YALL DNT KNO DA REASON WHY HER ALBUM GOT PUSHED BCK YALL JUS THNK DAT DEY DNT WANT KELLY OR MICHELLE 2 ACHIEVE SUCESS BUT YALL DNT SEE DAT WHY… BUT WHATEVER… ALL 3 OF EM R SUPPORTIVE OF EACH OTHER… THATZ ALL I GOT 2 SAY… N IF YALL DNT AGREE THEN FUCK YALL….
23.
Coko
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Oh, hell to the naw…I love The Color Purple…and I don’t feel her voice at ALL. I never did though…some people like it, but I am one who doesn’t. Now Fantasia…when she sung her song…I felt Miss Celie’s story…don’t know about Michellle.
24.
kalikap
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
i’m happy for her… i know she’s tired of being known as that one girl from destiny’s child!
25.
kiwi2g4
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Oddly enough i see her actully doing a good job. I can really picture her playin Shug an being believable***.
Hope she does well…Good Luck ! ! ! !
26.
eZ
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
congrats 4 the role, Michelle.
she looks great too.
im loving the dress and hair.
27.
MJ (RNB)
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Michelle my Belle!! I love this girl, and she will do such an amazing job! She did Aida on Broadway, and she recieved rave reviews! Another step for her.
28.
ADRIANKOKO
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
THEIR IS NO WAY SHE SHOULD BE SHUG AVERY, SHE IS NOT SEXY OR MYSTERIOUS AND HER VOICE IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH.
29.
diamond
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
She could’ve done Ceily but I dont see Shug. Michelle doesnt have that sex appeal to me. She was always getting off the slow bus (atleast she looked like she belonged on that bus.
30.
Dianna
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Word is Fantasia is due to play Celie per her website…I will definitely see this!
31.
Aalieyo
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
YES! Go head on Michelle MY BELLE…don’t worry about the haters. Alot of people would never say that J.Hud could play EFFIE or that Diana Ross could play BILLIE HOLLIDAY or that Jamie Foxx could be serious and play RAY CHARLES(and the list goes on and on)..but they did, and they were great! I hope that she enjoys a blessed run on that show. I know she had been talking about auditioning for it a long while now on her MYSPACE…you never know, we might be seeing MICHELLE at the TONY’S. For any of you that doubt her vocal skills, watch DESTINY CHILD FUFILLED AND LOVING IT TOUR in ATL DVD…you’ll think otherwise. Either way, be blessed Michelle my Belle. You’ll do great..can’t wait til the new CD!
32.
POBOI
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Good look Michelle!
I think Fantasia is playing Ceily in New York.
33.
Coko
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Voice still garbage! Not hate, just what my ears tell me when they hear her.
34.
diva eve
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
I wish Michelle all the best! I hope she quiets all the nay-sayers by proving herself.
I must say that is, hands down, the best picture I’ve seen of her.
Get it, girl!!!!
35.
Linda
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Why do people feel it is necessary to type like they not DEY have any education. #23 If you really type like you talk can you please take some English classes.
36.
Chris
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
I so happy for Michelle she deserves it…she WILL be great and singing Is NO problem for her…Look at her sing…DO YOU KNOW Live…unless you don’t like her style and unique voice than I understand you not liking it but otherwise i think you will…
37.
BashyBoo
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
ITS ABOUT TIME, SHE NEEDS A JOB
SHE LOOKS FAB IN THAT PIC!
38.
txsupercutie
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
I’m not very fond of her voice, but I am happy for her regardless… good for her!!!
39.
KB
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Don’t get confused Fantasia will be in the New York production playing Celie, Michelle will be in the Chicago production.
As for Michelle pulling off the role whether you think she is sexy is not the point it’s whether she can ACT. If the child can act she can “act” sexy and therefore play Shug like Shug should be played.
Congrats Michelle… Do yo thang
40.
Angel
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Thats good for her. Im happy to see thats shes still doing things.
41.
NINE4YA1906
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
THIS HAS GOT TO BE A JOKE… I’d really like to see her pull off Shug’s song “PUSH THE BUTTON”… and I saw her in AIDA… she KILLED that role and NOT IN A GOOD WAY!!! PATOEEY!!!
42.
edjunior
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
way to go michelle i lover her so much!!!! get yo tony award!!!..lol!!!
43.
edjunior
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
i meant love her*…lol
44.
sheneice
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
CONGRATS
45.
queshia
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Thats great Good luck Michelle!
46.
cuvagurl08
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
glad to hear this for michelle. makes me want to go to chicago. i wonder if she’ll be on oprah…
47.
andrea
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
she seems like she has that soulfulness in her to do it..
48.
musikhed
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
interesting…gospel singer playing a blues hootchie mama…and a bi-sexual one at that. i’m glad to see michelle step out of her little box. she still can’t sing though.
49.
KiM
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
I’m happy for her although I’m not sure if she can pull the role of Shug off. Cause she wasn’t that convincing to me as the 3rd member of D’Childs in some of the videos.
50.
nishauna
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
musikhed- you are a dumb ass shug was not bi-sexual she kissed celie to show her that someone loved her and what it felt like to be a women cause all she had ever been was raped and beat……people like u need to stick to cheech and chong movies.
i never knew she was in aida she had some tough people to follow, heather headley and toni braxton i have never seen the play but my aunt told me it was really nice. maybe i’ ll get to see it one day.
good luck michelle i hope you do a great job
51.
KiM
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
FANTASIA IS ALSO GOING TO BE IN THE MUSICAL “THE COLOR OR PURPLE” PLAYING CELIE. SHE’S ON OPRAH TODAY.
52.
Xay
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Fantasia AND Michelle in ONE play!!!!
I really might have to get a ticket to NY!!!
I really love them both.
53.
littlemamajtb
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
#5 lmao, u hit that right on the head, they have Kelly on a string just like a puppet. If Beyonce fart Kelly will be the one saying excuse me,lol. Po Kelly can’t help it that’s why they took her in to be Beyonce’s puppet, cause po little Bee didn’t have any friends. They shaped and molded po Kelly to what she is today and sad thing about it is that she looks betta and sounds betta than Beyonce. Girl couldn’t even aknowledge her own daddy and yes that’s her dayum daddy cause Beyonce and Solange don’t look shyt like that dude, Kelly look mo like him than anybody.
54.
HBIC
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
she’s not sexy. what’s the point? well i guess that’s why they call it acting
55.
littlemamajtb
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Congrats to Michelle!!!!!!!!! do ur thang sista.
56.
foxxy380
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Favorite quote from movie: “Until you do right by me, everything you even think about gonna fail!”
2nd favorite: “I’m poor, black, I might even be ugly, but dear God, I’m here. I’m here.”
LOL
57.
NetworKing
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
she looks good in that pic. I almost didnt recognize her
58.
luvahboi11
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
I think its good that she’s going to be in the play and 4 all of yall whthink se can’t sing just watch this you might change you mind
59.
tired of be
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Fantasia is starring in the play on Broadway and sang I’m Here on Oprah today and had me crying
Now Michelle is going to be in the Chicago show totally different shows.
60.
J.L
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Damn if only I could get to Chicago!!
61.
An
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
This is so good for Michelle because she’ll be playing a woman that is an exact opposite. Good for her!
62.
MadPet
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
I can not picture her as Shug Avery.
63.
Mellymel
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Congrats to her! Hopefully she’ll do well…
On a different note, have any of you seen Fantasia perform “I’m here” from The Color Purple on Oprah? She was AMAZING!
64.
concretestone
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
congrats to her!
65.
Rashad
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE IT NOW, Michelle is going to tear it up, I can’t wait to hear her sing “Sister”, she is perfect for the role because Michelle is funny as hell!
66.
THAT GIRL
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
YA’LL BE SLEEP ON MICHELLE’S VOICE, THAT GIRL CAN BLOW!!!! SHE GOT THE PERFECT AMOUNT OF RASPINESS AND SHE IS SO SOULFUL. IS SHE STILL WORKING WITH MATTHEW? SHE COULDNT BE… CUZ SHE DOING STUFF, BEYONCE DOING STUFF AND KELLY AINT DOIN NOTHING. BUT LIKE I SAID, MICHELLE HAS DRIVE AND TALENT, BEYONCE HAS DRIVE AND TALENT, KELLY NO DRIVE, JUST DEPENDENCY. WELL YOU BETTA TWORK IT CHELLE!!!! SHE GON MERC THAT SONG AT THE END!!!!!!!!!!! AND I LIVE IN CHICAGO!!!
67.
GP
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Reading really is fundamental yall…
Michelle is in the Chicago version of the play. Fantasia is in the Broadway version in New York. Two different shows.
But, I just read another American Idol alum is in it. Anyone remember LaToya London? You can read about it here:
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/106093.html
68.
MJ (RNB)
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Look at all the Michelle haters. I’m suprised Michelle has haters… she must be doing something right!!!
69.
Nikki
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
Alright, good for her!
70.
Danger
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
I can’t wait to see this!
71.
MadPet
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 /
I ain’t hating at all, I just can’t picture her playing Shug. I have not seen the play, but I can’t picture her doing the part in the movie where Shug was shaking her stuff in the red dress in the jook joint. She might be good.
72.
MJ (RNB)
Thursday, March 1, 2007 /
Madpet, trust! She can shake.
73.
poeticjustice
Thursday, March 1, 2007 /
Fantasia was just on Oprah today and Oprah welcomed her to the cast of the Color Purple She will be playing Celie.I don’t know about her acting in a play but she sang the hell out of that song today there wasn’t a dry eye in that studio.
74.
Coko
Thursday, March 1, 2007 /
Yes, Miss Fantasia sang the hell outta that song…cause she can sing!
75.
DivaB
Thursday, March 1, 2007 /
This chick bores the hell out of me! EW!
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