Although she split from the group 10 years ago — and it has since been disbanded altogether — LeToya Luckett is probably still best known as one of the original members of Destiny’s Child. The 28-year-old Texas native released her self-titled debut album in 2006, and after it was certified platinum, she set her sights on another venture: acting. Currently starring in “Preacher’s Kid,” based on the biblical story of the prodigal son, Luckett portrays Angie, a pastor’s daughter whose freedom has long been restricted by her father’s profession. Tired of the pressure, she joins a traveling gospel group against her father’s wishes. She recently spoke to the Wave about the evolution of her career, and the pressure of making her feature film debut in a lead role.

How did you get this role? Were you approached with a script or did you audition?

I tried out. I was actually cast for another role in the movie, the role of Desiree [played by Tammy Townsend] but four days before the shoot date, director Stan Foster called me and asked whether I was interested in playing the role of Angie. To my knowledge, Angie had already been cast … I had never done a feature film before, so I was like, “Oh my God, I know nothing about this.” Needless to say, they flew me down the very next day, put me with an acting coach and it was on from then.

Did you have trouble relating to your character?

My father is a minister, so I had some experience with being the preacher’s kid a bit, though I didn’t have immediate pressures. But, just being in the church period, a lot … of perfection is expected of you and people think you can’t do this or you can’t do that. It is hard sometimes to just grow up and experience your own life, and that’s what this movie is about. Angie, which is the character I play, really doesn’t get the opportunity to have a regular life like a teenager would — like being able to go out and go to the movies with friends. Her father didn’t really allow that. She eventually moved out on her own, bumps her head a couple of times and then she eventually comes back home.

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