LeToya Luckett is a founding member of Destiny’s Child who saw her life change when she and group member LaTavia Roberson were ousted from the group in 1999 during the height of promoting the their chart-topping CD, ‘The Writing’s on the Wall.’

Destiny’s Child continued with Beyonce Knowles and Kelly Rowland and the group’s manager Matthew Knowles replaced Luckett and Roberson with Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin (who only lasted five months).

Things weren’t easy following the fallout from Destiny’s Child – there was a media firestorm, lawsuits and a whole lot of backlash – but the 28-year-old singer said it was her faith that helped her overcome the tumultuous time in her life.

After a failed attempt at launching a new group called Anjel; Luckett landed a solo deal of her own in 2003 and released her debut CD, ‘Letoya’ on Capitol Records in 2006.

With one platinum-certified CD under her belt, the Houston-based singer is back with her recently released sophomore opus ‘Lady Love.’

I had dinner with Luckett recently at Carolina Kitchen in Hyattsville, Maryland and the singer candidly discussed life after Destiny’s Child; whether she would reunite with her former group; and having high-profile relationships.

You’ve become a poster child for second chances and overcoming adversity. Is that a lot of pressure?
I don’t mind it and I like it. It’s so many people out here in this world with that type of story that we never hear about because they are in different corners of the earth. I am pretty sure that they have probably been through worse than I’ve been through and achieved it. They’ve been able to cross that bridge and get through the fire onto something new without being negative, stepping on somebody’s neck or bad mouthing somebody. I love when people come up to me and say things like that.

What was the greatest lesson learned from your experience with Destiny’s Child?
Communication is very key along with looking out for yourself.

Would you ever write a book about those experiences, particularly as a cautionary guide for people who aim to be in this business?
You could especially in a group situation. For girls and guys, if you’re in a group situation, you have to know that you have to be a team player. You can’t go in with ‘me’ involved. It’s just like a NFL or NBA team, you have to have that mentality and you have to throw the ball to somebody else sometimes. A lot of people view it as a stepping stone for them instead of thinking about the group first. I’ve talked to several girl groups before and told them that they have to stick it out. I don’t know if I would write a book. I know LaTavia, one of the other group members, is writing a book. I don’t know if it will be about our experience, but I know it will be about her life. I’m pretty sure she’s gonna mention something.

Would you reunite with Destiny’s Child if the opportunity presented itself?
I wouldn’t mind it. All of us would have to be on the same page about everything. The respect would have to be there for everyone. We would have to know that we’re going out there to do this for the fans and that’s it. I don’t know.

Would it have to be the original quartet or would you do it as a quintet?

(continue reading…)

LeToya Luckett is a founding member of Destiny’s Child who saw her life change when she and group member LaTavia Roberson were ousted from the group in 1999 during the height of promoting the their chart-topping CD, ‘The Writing’s on the Wall.’

Destiny’s Child continued with Beyonce Knowles and Kelly Rowland and the group’s manager Matthew Knowles replaced Luckett and Roberson with Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin (who only lasted five months).

Things weren’t easy following the fallout from Destiny’s Child – there was a media firestorm, lawsuits and a whole lot of backlash – but the 28-year-old singer said it was her faith that helped her overcome the tumultuous time in her life.

After a failed attempt at launching a new group called Anjel; Luckett landed a solo deal of her own in 2003 and released her debut CD, ‘Letoya’ on Capitol Records in 2006.

With one platinum-certified CD under her belt, the Houston-based singer is back with her recently released sophomore opus ‘Lady Love.’

I had dinner with Luckett recently at Carolina Kitchen in Hyattsville, Maryland and the singer candidly discussed life after Destiny’s Child; whether she would reunite with her former group; and having high-profile relationships.

You’ve become a poster child for second chances and overcoming adversity. Is that a lot of pressure?
I don’t mind it and I like it. It’s so many people out here in this world with that type of story that we never hear about because they are in different corners of the earth. I am pretty sure that they have probably been through worse than I’ve been through and achieved it. They’ve been able to cross that bridge and get through the fire onto something new without being negative, stepping on somebody’s neck or bad mouthing somebody. I love when people come up to me and say things like that.

What was the greatest lesson learned from your experience with Destiny’s Child?
Communication is very key along with looking out for yourself.

Would you ever write a book about those experiences, particularly as a cautionary guide for people who aim to be in this business?
You could especially in a group situation. For girls and guys, if you’re in a group situation, you have to know that you have to be a team player. You can’t go in with ‘me’ involved. It’s just like a NFL or NBA team, you have to have that mentality and you have to throw the ball to somebody else sometimes. A lot of people view it as a stepping stone for them instead of thinking about the group first. I’ve talked to several girl groups before and told them that they have to stick it out. I don’t know if I would write a book. I know LaTavia, one of the other group members, is writing a book. I don’t know if it will be about our experience, but I know it will be about her life. I’m pretty sure she’s gonna mention something.

Would you reunite with Destiny’s Child if the opportunity presented itself?
I wouldn’t mind it. All of us would have to be on the same page about everything. The respect would have to be there for everyone. We would have to know that we’re going out there to do this for the fans and that’s it. I don’t know.

Would it have to be the original quartet or would you do it as a quintet?

(continue reading…)