Michelle Williams, once the third member of the iconic Destiny’s Child trio, is finally opening up about the struggles she faced while in the group.

Despite Destiny’s Child’s massive global success, Michelle says her experience was bittersweet, as she often felt overshadowed by Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland, both in the eyes of fans and the group’s management.

Michelle recalls that even in the midst of Destiny’s Child’s meteoric rise, she struggled with depression. She reached out to their manager, expressing her mental health concerns, but was dismissed.

The manager insisted she should focus on the positives—touring, lucrative deals, and fame—rather than her emotional struggles. Michelle describes feeling like she was trapped in a pit, weighed down no matter how hard she tried to move forward.

From the beginning, Michelle was treated as the least favored member of the group. Fans and management alike would remind her how “lucky” she was to have her spot, emphasizing that thousands of girls would love to be in her place.

She was expected to remain in the background while Beyoncé and Kelly received most of the spotlight and praise, and she faced criticism for even the smallest missteps.

Despite these challenges, Michelle had a solid musical background, having started singing in church at age seven and honing her skills throughout her youth.

Before joining Destiny’s Child, she was already working as a background singer for Monica. Her introduction to the group came during a period of turmoil, as original members LaToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson left amid disputes over management and favoritism towards Beyoncé and Kelly.

When Michelle and Farrah Franklin joined, fans were skeptical. Farrah’s stint was short-lived, leaving Destiny’s Child as a trio with Michelle as the newest face.

She admits she didn’t have the same media training or industry experience as Beyoncé and Kelly, but she was determined to be a team player and contribute however she could.

Destiny’s Child’s success exploded with hits like “Independent Women Part I” and the album *Survivor*. Michelle became known as the “queen of song bridges,” delivering memorable moments in many of their biggest tracks. Yet, standing next to her superstar bandmates, Michelle was often seen as an afterthought.

Fans scrutinized her dancing and singing, sometimes unfairly comparing her to Beyoncé and Kelly, who had been training since childhood.

Michelle’s struggles weren’t just professional. The constant criticism affected her deeply, leading to insecurity and depression. She tried to speak up about her mental health but was told she had no reason to be sad given the group’s success.

Even after Destiny’s Child, Michelle’s solo career—especially in gospel music—didn’t receive the same recognition as her former bandmates’.

Despite everything, Michelle has built a devoted fanbase and earned respect for her resilience and talent. Many now defend her, acknowledging the immense pressure she faced and the unfair comparisons.

Michelle Williams may not have always been in the spotlight, but her contributions to Destiny’s Child and her perseverance have made her an icon in her own right.