Second time around always brings more experience and a bit more confidence to your A game, so LeToya’s sophomore jitters are null and void. The former Destiny’s Child soul maven delivers “Lady Love,” which picks up where her Grammy-nominated, self-titled debuted kicked off. The gutsy confrontational “She Ain’t Got S— On Me,” is a midtempo anthem that addresses a two-timing beau and the caliber of woman that he’s allowed to lead him astray. Although LeToya has no qualms telling a man like it is, we can’t help but wonder how many love triangles she’s been deadlocked in. “All I’ll say is that my album is inspired by different experiences from friends and family to my own,” says LeToya with a laugh. “So it’s personal anyway you look at it, but I do my best to avoid that kind of drama.”

This effort is more indicative of the grown and sexy, as the Houston beauty chose more ballads and mid-tempos than uptempos. However, the album’s staple tracks such as the remorseful “Regret,” the second uptempo single that is sure to move a crowd and one of LeToya’s favorites, “I Need A U,” an ode that expresses one’s vulnerability by staking their claim.

Although Miss LeToya has matured into a fine young lady and has put the past of her DC drama behind her, people want to hold on to it. “Folks really want to think that there’s some bitterness on my end and that I haven’t moved on or that I’m trying to compete with my past, but I’m not. I’m very proud of this album and where my career is headed and continue to look forward to the ride.”

On Tuesday, LeToya Luckett released her sophomore debut, “Lady Love,” and tonight she’ll celebrate with family and friends at Cain in New York City. But the former Destiny’s Child member’s winning streak has only begun as she proves that she doesn’t need a group to propel her career as she flies solo onto the silver screen.

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On October 30, the Houston beauty brings her small screen acting chops to the marquee in “The Preacher’s Kid,” a coming-of-age tale which follows Angie (Luckett), the preacher’s daughter, as she pursues a singing career.

“Angie is a good-hearted girl, but she’s just naïve. Outside of church she doesn’t have a clue about boyfriends, movies or parties,” LeToya told ESSENCE.com. “She doesn’t want to get in trouble but sometimes when someone that’s sheltered is curious, they do thangs.”

Directed by Stan Foster, LeToya will bank screentime with veteran actors Essence Atkins, who plays her girlfriend Peaches, R&B crooner and songwriter Tank, who costars as her love interest Devlin, and Clifton Powell plays the tour manager, and her younger brother, Gavin Luckett, will make a cameo as himself. Other notables are Dawn Lewis, who recently returned to Broadway in “The Wiz,” and gospel great Kierra “Kiki” Shepherd.

In 2010, LeToya will costar with Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl in the dramedy “Killers,” as Amanda, Heigl’s eternally optimistic BFF and coworker.

“Amanda is educated, intelligent, down-to-earth, really sweet girl who tries to make everything all right,” she says with a laugh. “She’s like the ‘Sex in the City’ character Charlotte. If the world is coming to an end she’s going to convince you that it’s going to be okay.”

Second time around always brings more experience and a bit more confidence to your A game, so LeToya’s sophomore jitters are null and void. The former Destiny’s Child soul maven delivers “Lady Love,” which picks up where her Grammy-nominated, self-titled debuted kicked off. The gutsy confrontational “She Ain’t Got S— On Me,” is a midtempo anthem that addresses a two-timing beau and the caliber of woman that he’s allowed to lead him astray. Although LeToya has no qualms telling a man like it is, we can’t help but wonder how many love triangles she’s been deadlocked in. “All I’ll say is that my album is inspired by different experiences from friends and family to my own,” says LeToya with a laugh. “So it’s personal anyway you look at it, but I do my best to avoid that kind of drama.”

This effort is more indicative of the grown and sexy, as the Houston beauty chose more ballads and mid-tempos than uptempos. However, the album’s staple tracks such as the remorseful “Regret,” the second uptempo single that is sure to move a crowd and one of LeToya’s favorites, “I Need A U,” an ode that expresses one’s vulnerability by staking their claim.

Although Miss LeToya has matured into a fine young lady and has put the past of her DC drama behind her, people want to hold on to it. “Folks really want to think that there’s some bitterness on my end and that I haven’t moved on or that I’m trying to compete with my past, but I’m not. I’m very proud of this album and where my career is headed and continue to look forward to the ride.”

On Tuesday, LeToya Luckett released her sophomore debut, “Lady Love,” and tonight she’ll celebrate with family and friends at Cain in New York City. But the former Destiny’s Child member’s winning streak has only begun as she proves that she doesn’t need a group to propel her career as she flies solo onto the silver screen.

On October 30, the Houston beauty brings her small screen acting chops to the marquee in “The Preacher’s Kid,” a coming-of-age tale which follows Angie (Luckett), the preacher’s daughter, as she pursues a singing career.

“Angie is a good-hearted girl, but she’s just naïve. Outside of church she doesn’t have a clue about boyfriends, movies or parties,” LeToya told ESSENCE.com. “She doesn’t want to get in trouble but sometimes when someone that’s sheltered is curious, they do thangs.”

Directed by Stan Foster, LeToya will bank screentime with veteran actors Essence Atkins, who plays her girlfriend Peaches, R&B crooner and songwriter Tank, who costars as her love interest Devlin, and Clifton Powell plays the tour manager, and her younger brother, Gavin Luckett, will make a cameo as himself. Other notables are Dawn Lewis, who recently returned to Broadway in “The Wiz,” and gospel great Kierra “Kiki” Shepherd.

In 2010, LeToya will costar with Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl in the dramedy “Killers,” as Amanda, Heigl’s eternally optimistic BFF and coworker.

“Amanda is educated, intelligent, down-to-earth, really sweet girl who tries to make everything all right,” she says with a laugh. “She’s like the ‘Sex in the City’ character Charlotte. If the world is coming to an end she’s going to convince you that it’s going to be okay.”