She's coming out: Michelle Williams inherits the dance floor

(All photos courtesy of Getty Images)
Forget everything you thought you knew about Michelle Williams, as the "meek" member of Destiny's Child defies all expectations with her third, aptly-titled solo release "Unexpected," out Oct. 7.

True, the Rockford, Illinois-native, who honed her spectacular voice in the church choir, which -- upon joining Destiny's Child in 2000 -- helped the R&B trio achieve a string of number one singles and three Grammys, earning her own for solo gospel album "Heart To Yours" (2002), has already proven that she's a serious performer and a woman of faith.

But on "Unexpected," the sentimental singer demonstrates that she can also kick up her gold heels, especially when backed by a bouncy urban-funk meets Euro-pop soundtrack.

And there's nothing that's getting her down as she shifts from the joyous, hand clap-heavy, synth-based number one lead single "We Break The Dawn" about dancing all night long, to the ostensibly tragic track "Hello Heartbreak," which, through a combination of Williams's lyrical optimism and the song's shiny disco beats, ends raised to the roof on a mirrored ball. Even the moody

R&B-driven "Stop This Car," about a breaking relationship, sounds so sultry that you'll want to change gears, bypassing the argument and heading straight to bed for make-up sex.

See the "We Break The Dawn" (Karmatronic remix) video now:

She will soon debut some of these tracks on a mini club tour.

Williams talked to Gay.com's Josh Rocker about her club dates, her unexpected new sound, how she lets loose, the truth behind Destiny's Child, and playing positive.

Tell me about your club show.

I don't have a lot of details yet, but I was excited to get out there again and see people out and about. I want to go have a lot of fun.

Will you have hot guys onstage with you?

I think so. Absolutely!

Tell me why this album is unexpected.

I think it is definitely unexpected and I titled it that because my life for the past eight to nine years has been a wonderful, unexpected journey that I never thought possible. I always dream big and never limit myself. Also, the sound for me was unexpected. If you listened to my first two albums, it's unexpected from Michelle, because it's not gospel, which is throwing a lot of people off.

What will gays take with them from the album?

When I did the album, I just made music. So I'm happy for whoever gravitates towards it. I think that's hot. I'm actually shocked that I now have a gay fan base that's growing. I didn't know they'd gravitate towards me, because of that whole 'She's quiet and this and that.' But they're like 'No, Michelle is working it' and absolutely loving it.

Can you maintain your gospel following after the new album?

People are people and all the same at the end of the day, so I don't treat one person differently than any other. With gospel, it's your time with god, but even when I do my fun dance music, I think that god is there, and gives me the blessing to do this and to touch people.

On "Unexpected," you come across as a woman who likes to let loose. How do you let loose outside of the studio?

I gotta be around friends that I'm comfortable with, because If I don't know you, you probably won't get that part of me. In Chicago, one of the clubs I go to is called 'Underground.' It's one of two there that's open till 5a.m., and I'm there till it shuts down, because it's so much fun that I don't wanna leave. When I come out, the sun is out and I'm always thinking that I wish it could be down for just one more hour.

I can't imagine that people had that same impression of you in the Destiny's Child days.

Thank you. That's what I want. In Destiny's Child, it was always 'She's the quiet one,' and it's so the opposite. I can take the blame for that, because when I came into the group, I didn't know a lot, so I was observing and just chilling in the cut. But they know how I am, Beyonce and Kelly; they'd be pinching my knee during interviews cause they didn't know what was about to come out of my mouth. When I got in the group, I became so protective of Beyonce and Kelly [Rowland] 'cause of everything they went through. People would ask rude questions and I'd be sitting back and squinting my eyes like 'You better not say nothing.' These girls were so young and had their dreams almost shattered. So I was happy to come in, and say, 'Girls, let's pick up the pieces.'

I remember press reports at the time saying that Beyonce was on a power trip and just firing the other members left and right.

They were kids. She didn't have that power. She had power, but none of that had anything to do with Beyonce or Kelly. It was just dumb decisions that other members made. We all make bad decisions sometimes, but some decisions cost more than others.

To address another Beyonce rumor, is it true that she's homophobic?

No one that I associate with is homophobic. I do not know the context of what they were talking about, but some things are misquoted, sometimes things are added and sometimes things are taken away. I don't know what was said, but I know that that's not how she is.

OK, you and Kelly perform at gay events. Would Beyonce ever appear at one?

Absolutely. But I do not want to turn this into the Beyonce interview.

Totally understandable. So were you scared when you first went solo?

I seem to take risks all the time with my life, I guess because I know I can handle it. Releasing the album first, that happened in no specific order. It just happened, so maybe I got in the studio first. It comes from not caring about what anybody says. If everybody, like that song, 'I'm Gonna Do Me,' just minds their own business and does themselves, then those people in everybody else's business, maybe they'll be able to do their own things. I also don't worry about what people think, because if I did, I wouldn't be in the business for this long. If people try to discredit my talents and gifts, I know what god gave me, so I forget it, and take it all in love.

You've also proven yourself as an actress, appearing in Broadway's "Aida" and in the national tour of "The Color Purple." But perhaps your most challenging role was Naomi, the record company exec. who happens to be HIV-positive on the UPN sitcom "Half & Half." Tell me about that experience.

I have a wonderful agent, and she let me know about this project. For my television debut, to play such a deep role... I had to do it well because I wanted people to know that regardless of what she had, Naomi was here to let you know she's not quitting. Also, to let people know that love can still come to you no matter what you're dealing with. I really made sure I researched and studied the role, because I wanted people to appreciate how I handled it. Naomi still had sass, and didn't let anything get her down.

It doesn't sound like you let anything get you down either. Which career goal do you plan to tackle next?

As a solo artist, I would love to just tour and rock out clubs, and see myself as having my own business. I see so many more years and so much more for myself. I don't give up, because I have a long way to go.

See Michelle Williams live in Los Angeles on Oct. 5 and San Francisco on Oct. 31. For more on Michelle Williams, check out: www.welovemichelle.com and www.michellewilliamsonline.com.