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The Highs And (Many) Lows Of Michelle Williams' Solo Career

Oh Michelle Williams, how interesting your life after Destiny’s Child has been. It started off promising with the release of Heart to Yours, your debut solo gospel album but then it just slid and slid and slid. Most recently, things looked like they were turning around when it was announced you would be starring in a national tour of Jesus Christ Superstar but then at the last minute it was canceled. But fear not, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel in the form of a Beyoncé-directed music video for your new song. There’s still (some) hope left because it hasn’t been all bad. So let’s look bad on the highs and lows of your solo career.

Before you dip into the highs and lows of Williams' career, find out what she would say yes to. (She more than hesitates when it comes to babysitting Blue Ivy...)

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Okay back to business:

High: Williams’ solo debut, Heart to Yours, becomes the best-selling gospel album of 2002. Receiving generally positive reviews, the album won a MOBO award for Best Gospel Act. Low: Her first single, “Heard a Word,” appears as a bonus on Destiny’s Child throwaway remix album.

Low: Toni Braxton lands the title role in Aida despite reports that Williams was up for the same part. Quasi-High: Williams replaces Braxton, after the singer ended her 4-month run.

High: Williams’ sophomore effort, Do You Know, surpasses her debut in sales. Low: However, neither the record nor the first single makes it on the charts.

High: Williams’ reunites with Destiny’s Child for Destiny Fulfilled. Low: The group officially disbands a year later.

High: Williams is one of the singers that appear on Celebrity Duets to sing with a celebrity. Her partner, Alfonso Ribeiro, never once appears in the bottom and ultimately wins the competition. Low: No one watched the show.

Low: A report on the red carpet asks Williams if she sings.

High: “We Break the Dawn” becomes her most successful single, hitting number one on Billboard Hot Dance Airplay. Low: Unexpected, Williams’ third studio album—and first secular one—is delayed. Lower: The album’s second single, “The Greatest” is beat out by Destiny’s Child’s “Lose My Breath” on the year-end Billboard US Hot Dance Club Songs chart.

High: Williams appears as a guest judge on the singing challenge of RuPaul's Drag Race. Low: It quickly becomes apparent the girls were more interested in the idea of Beyoncé.

Even: Williams parts ways with Beyoncé’s father Matthew Knowles and his management company.

High: Williams replaces Ashlee Simpson as Roxie Hart in the Broadway production of Chicago. Low: She replaced Simpson.

High: Williams becomes one of the celebrity contestants on UK’s Strictly Come Dancing. Low: She’s eliminated in the seventh week.

Low: Williams tweets that she’s working on her forth album and releases a free song after she gets over 100,000 followers. Lower: The album never materializes and she’s dropped from Columbia Records.

High: It’s announced that Beyoncé will reunite Destiny’s Child during the 2013 Super Bowl halftime show. Low: We all know how that went. Lower: Around the same time, the meme Poor Michelle pops up. Lowest: It goes into over drive following the Super Bowl performance. Lowester: After being trolled, Williams responds to the Poor Michelle meme, tweeting “that’s not what my accountant said.”

— Michelle Williams (@RealMichelleW) April 3, 2014

High: Williams becomes the spokesperson for Playtex. Low: The singer is forced to relive all her embarrassing moments.

High: It’s announced that Williams will join Brandon Boy and JC Chasez in a national arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. Low: The show is canceled just days before its launch.

High: Williams’ new single “Say Yes” is released. Low: It’s first reported to be a Destiny’s Child song. Lower: Beyoncé directs the video. High: Beyoncé lets Williams be the star.

[Photo: Getty]