By Jae-Ha Kim
Tribune Media Services
February 9, 2010
Often referred to as the shiest member of Destiny’s Child, Michelle Williams defied that description with her solo album “Unexpected.” The singer, who has a penchant for gospel tunes, had no problem belting out dance-friendly pop songs on the high-energy CD.
“I had boxed myself in as a gospel singer and didn’t think anyone would be interested in hearing me sing a different way,” says Williams, 29. “It was either Destiny’s Child or gospel.”
Williams returns to Broadway this month to perform as Roxie Hart in “Chicago” and is also working on her fourth studio album. After that? Perhaps a well-deserved rest.
“I travel so much that I know almost all my account numbers for my different airline frequent flyer miles by heart,” Williams says.
Not that she’s complaining.
Q. What is your favorite vacation destination?
A. Turks & Caicos definitely is a dream destination. The water is so clear and blue. I really enjoyed the beautiful water, even though I don’t know how to swim. I did get a chance to parasail and it was simply amazing. I felt so at peace with myself. I stayed at a friend’s condo and cooked, went shopping and just had a ball. It was wonderful to not worry about being glamorous. I was barefoot most of the time and got to lie in the sun.
Q. Where is your favorite weekend getaway?
A. Miami!
Q. What are your favorite hotels and restaurants?
A. The Ritz-Carlton (www.ritzcarlton.com) or Shore Club (www.shoreclub.com) in Miami. The Regent Beverly Wilshire (www.fourseasons.com) in Beverly Hills. Any Thompson Hotels (www.thompsonhotels.com) property. The Grand Hyatt (www.tokyo.grand.hyatt.com) in Tokyo because they have one of the best spas I’ve ever been to! And the Mandarin Oriental (www.mandarinoriental.com) in London because they have Jo Malone amenities.
Q. When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A. An iPod! I pack a dress or two … and the rest are casual. Vacation for me is not always about being the fiercest chick at the pool. I only travel with one bag when I know I don’t have to work ‘cause checking luggage can be such a pain these days.
Q. What are your five favorite cities?
A. Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Nashville and Houston.
Q. What kind of research do you do before you go away on a trip?
A. In some ways, I get to pick out my next vacation spots when I tour or work in another city or country. I don’t get to sightsee a lot when I’m working, but I make a mental list of places I’d like to revisit when I have a few weeks off. I’m always thinking about that.
Q. Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?
A. South Africa. I’d also like to go to a place like Vermont or Montana.
Q. How do you try to fit in when you’re a tourist?
A. I definitely don’t walk around with a map or one of those fanny packs! That’s a dead giveaway that you’re a tourist. I do stick out like a sore thumb in some places, but I just try to be respectful in someone else’s country.
Q. Have you ever been guilty of being an “ugly American”?
A. No, because I’ve always cringed when I’ve seen ugly Americans in action and swore I wouldn’t be one of them. People usually ask me to come back to their country! If I ever lost my passport and got “stuck” in Sydney, I’d be OK with that! I love Australia. I also really enjoyed the time I spent in Thailand.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS
WHERE IS IT: Located 550 miles southeast of Miami — to the east of Cuba — the Turks & Caicos Islands actually are located in the Atlantic Ocean, not the Caribbean Sea.
POPULATION: About 30,000 people. More than 200,000 tourists visit annually.
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: English.
CURRENCY: The good ol’ U.S. dollar.
TO TIP OR NOT TO TIP: Just as in the United States, tipping is appreciated and expected.
TIME ZONE: GMT/UTC, minus four hours. It’s in the same time zone as the East Coast.
© 2010 JAE-HA KIM
DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
