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Former
Destiny’s Child member LeToya Luckett has spent the last six years
away from the industry spotlight. Now with her solo career on track, The
Situation caught up with the ‘Torn’ singer after her impressive
MOBOs performance.
Listen
to the single 'Torn'
(remix)
In
the UK recently as a guest performer at the 2006 Music Of Black Origin
Awards, LeToya Luckett seemed
to be filling up a lot of column inches; but not entirely for the right
reasons.
Firstly, speculation surfaced that her former Destiny’s Child band mate Beyoncé Knowles, who was also in the capital at the time for London Fashion Week, snubbed the awards ceremony when it was confirmed that LeToya was due to perform. Then LeToya unleashed a long withheld tirade against B, her management and family, claiming that Beyoncé had been favoured by both their manager and Knowles’ father, Matthew, and the group’s stylist and B’s mother, Tina.
While they say there’s no such thing as bad publicity, especially, as in LeToya’s case in the midst of promoting a debut album, it seems a shame that not enough praise was attributed to the actual music and performance; because LeToya is actually worth her salt.
After a stomping performance at the MOBOs and with a strong debut release on the way, The Situation caught up with LeToya to talk about her return to the spotlight…
You’re
fresh from your performance at the MOBOs… How was it for you?
It’s been wonderful. Unfortunately I didn’t get to sit down
and see the show at all last night. I was having to hang out backstage
and then I was getting ready for my show… I performed close to the
end, so by the time I’d done all the press it was over. I was so
mad!
That’s
a shame. Let’s talk a bit about your album, which has been a huge
hit in the US.
It has been a great achievement over in the US. It debuted at No.1, which
I was pleased to see. My first single ‘Torn’ was also a chart
topper. You know, people have just been receiving me so well, which has
been a surprise because I didn’t know I was going to become a solo
artist… so it’s been wonderful.
You’ve
been away from music for six years now doing various other things. Did
you always have it in mind to make a return to music?
Erm… no. You know, a lot of people have asked me, ‘What took
you so long to return?’ But honestly, I never felt like I was going
to leave Destiny’s Child and become a solo artist… I didn’t
even want to leave Destiny’s Child, you know, they decided that.
And after that, I just had to find my way. I was really steering away
from becoming a solo artist because I was so used to being in a group
situation. I just didn’t know.
Did
you find it quite daunting?
It was very scary at first. But once I got in the studio and got comfortable,
and started to sing again I thought maybe this is something that I can
do again. So we started shopping around for a deal and landed at Capitol
Records, and ended up recording an album! In the mean time though, I opened
a boutique in Houston called Lady Elle, so I’ve been busy, busy,
busy!
Was
it good to be home in Houston for a while?
Definitely. I was so used to moving and grooving all the time that being
settled was great. I got to wake up whenever I wanted. But in that time
I was working to get my boutique set up and then the album… Those
projects took up enough of my time. I was only 18 when I parted ways with
Destiny’s Child so I’ve had a lot of time to grow up!
How
long had you been working on the album before you decided to release it?
Around two and a half years… something crazy like that.
Listening
to your album, there seems to be a real confidence that comes through
in your voice and the music. What would you put that down to?
I guess that’s because I’ve become used to being a solo artist
and this way you have to have confidence because it’s all on you.
At first I found it very difficult because with Destiny’s Child
there were three other girls… but you just have to get used to it.
So
how would you describe the style of music on the album, for those who
haven’t heard it?
It’s a soulful R&B album. There is a touch of Hip Hop on there
because I am a Southern girl and I love hard hittin’ Hip Hop beats.
I think the thing that makes me different is that I’m just telling
my story and I believe that everyone has their own story to tell. R&B
is R&B music… you’ve just got to know how to turn it into
your own.
You
feature a lot of Houston natives and Southern artists on your album and
seem very proud of your roots and culture. What makes the South so special?
In Houston, we have things like screwed and chopped music, which is when
you take a song and slow it down. Our Southern beats normally have a bounce
to them; they’re laid back with heavy bass… and they’re
club bangers.
You’ve
just finished touring the US with Mary J. Blige
as the opening act. What was it like working with her?
It was awesome. She’s wonderful; a great person and a legendary
entertainer. I got to spend some time with her too, at her after parties
and backstage. I just learned so much from her everyday… It was
an amazing experience.
Obviously
your image plays a big part in your career, as with many young female
artists. How would you describe your style in general, and do you feel
any pressure to conform to a certain standard, especially with your fashion
business?
I think I’m quite different, you know, I have my own little style…
I’m not a skirt girl, I love wearing pants, especially the cigarette
pants or skinny jeans as you call them over here. But I’ve started
getting into the dresses… I wore a dress to the MOBOs, which surprised
everybody on my team! But I love trying new things. I would say I love
the classic but edgy look. It’s definitely high maintenance though;
I try my best not to get caught up in the pressure, but it can be hard
because in this industry you’re always worried about what people
are going to think of you. I’m not worried about being skinny though
– I’m trying to build up a little muscle, you know, get toned!
Let’s
talk about Destiny’s Child. Do you feel now that you are flying
solo it becomes overshadowing?
No. It’s advantageous if anything because people recognise me from
the group Destiny’s Child. I think the disadvantage is that it’s
hard for people to get away from what happened at the end. So when I’m
doing interviews or anything that becomes the talking point. But the thing
that keeps me focused and from going insane is that after our departure
from the group, LaTavia and
I really didn’t get to tell our side of the story and now people
want to hear it. There’s nothing you can really do about it because
people just want to know. I hope though, with this album, I make my mark
and people stop seeing me as ‘the girl from Destiny’s Child’.
So
what are your plans for the rest of the year?
I leave London tomorrow to go back to the US, Japan next week, and then
back to Europe to promote the album. I don’t know!
Sounds
hectic! Are you enjoying being back in the swing of things?
I am, but you can definitely tell the difference from when I was 16 now
that I’m 25!
Finally,
what is the biggest goal you wish to achieve now as a solo artist and
with your new career?
More than anything, I just want people to know me as an artist that never
gave up. One who came back with her own style and, you know, I didn’t
let what could have shut me down do just that. I kept on moving. I want
to be a positive role model and just to let everybody know not to give
up. Don’t give up!
LeToya’s debut single ‘Torn’
and her self-titled album are both out now on Capitol Records/EMI.
