‘WE STILL LOVE EACH OTHER'

20 YEARS AFTER THEIR FIRST UK NUMBER ONE, OK! LOOKS BACK ON THE RISE OF DESTINY’S CHILD

- KATIE LANGFORD-FOSTER

It’s hard to imagine life without Destiny’s Child. Two decades have passed since the R’n’B trio’s first UK chart-topper, Independent Women, and Beyoncé Knowles, Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland have been shaping popular culture ever since.

Originally comprised of Beyoncé, Kelly, LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett, the foursome were signed as Destiny’s Child in 1997. After the release of their second album, The Writing’s On The Wall, in 1999, LaTavia and LeToya were replaced by Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin, the latter leaving five months later. The trio we now know and love was born, and their smash hit single Say My Name won them two Grammys.

But it was third album Survivor that truly took the group global, with the title track bagging them a third Grammy.

As the group’s success grew, the girls began to pursue solo projects. In 2002, Michelle released her solo album, Heart To Yours, picking up a MOBO, and in 2003 she played the title role in Aida on Broadway. She has since carved out a successful acting and gospel singing career, including starring in Chicago.