Michelle Williams Joins ‘Color Purple’ Without Fantasia

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno

      Wondering if Destiny’s Child singer Michelle Williams is sitting at home watching Beyonce get all the accolades? Hardly. Michelle has been busy doing Broadway. A few years ago she had the lead role of the Broadway musical Aida and has now been tapped to join the touring Chicago production of The Color Purple. She will portray Shug Avery, the sexy blues singer.

      "This is just a dream come true," Williams told the Associated Press. "I could not pass up the opportunity to do ‘The Color Purple.’ To have the privilege of even auditioning was an honor for me."

      Fantasia announced last week that she will be playing the lead role of Celie on Broadway (New York), but in Chicago the role will be handled by Jeannette Bayardelle, who Fantasia replaced on Broadway. But Williams will be joined by LaToya London, another American Idol alum who competed against Fantasia in season three. London will portray Nettie. The Chicago production of The Color Purple will run from April 17 to July 22 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre and possibly head to other cities.