From Monica’s backup vocalist to one third of Destiny’s Child, Michelle Williams has long been a Hollywood star. More recently, she’s been building a name on Broadway. In 2003, she debuted on the production Aida with notable credits in Chicago, Once on This Island, and most recently, was nominated for a Grammy for her Death Becomes Her soundtrack.
As her career evolved over time, so has her style. She joined Destiny’s Child in 2000, matching her group’s pop star flair with her signature straight, dark hair (see: the Billboard Music Awards that same year). Throughout the 2000s, she frequented low-rice boot cut jeans, rhinestoned belts, floral-printed crop tops and bronze metallic lipstick. But, after the group disbanded in 2005, her look began to take a new shape.
Her metallic lips turned red, straight hair turned curly and warm (before being cut into a pixie) and wardrobe was more black than sparkly. In 2010, Williams attended Beyoncé’s fragrance launch party in a spiked pompadour pixie with feathered earrings and a black blazer. Years later, at 2018’s Wearable Art Gala, she wore an embellished gown with soft pink lips and silky hair.
By the 2020s, her style was even more refined. She arrived at the world premiere of Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé in a sculptured black gown with shiny black hair parted down the middle. As of late, she’s been leaning into fluffy brows, brown-tipped hair, and a black silk ensemble—like she did at the UTA Tony Awards Celebration.
Ahead, see how Michelle Williams’ style has evolved in honor of her 47th birthday today.
2000
(Original Caption) Destiny’s Child. (Photo by Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images)
(Original Caption) Destiny’s Child. (Photo by Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images)
2001
Destiny’s Child Kelly Rowland, Beyonce Knowles and Michelle Williams (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
2001
Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child during Destiny’s Child on the BET 106/Park Show at BET Studios in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by KMazur/WireImage)
2002
Michelle Williams during New York Premiere of “Standing in the Shadows of Motown” – Arrivals at Harlem’s World Famous Apollo Theater in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage)
Michelle Williams during New York Premiere of “Standing in the Shadows of Motown” – Arrivals at Harlem’s World Famous Apollo Theater in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage)
2003
NEW YORK – DECEMBER 11: (US TABS AND HOLLYWOOD REPORTER OUT) Recording artist Michelle Williams attends the after party for her Broadway debut in the musical “Aida” December 11, 2003 at LQ in New York City. (Photo by Lawrence Lucier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – DECEMBER 11: (US TABS AND HOLLYWOOD REPORTER OUT) Recording artist Michelle Williams attends the after party for her Broadway debut in the musical “Aida” December 11, 2003 at LQ in New York City. (Photo by Lawrence Lucier/Getty Images)
2004
Michelle Williams during Michelle Williams Performs at J and R Music World in New York City to Promote Her New Album “Do You Know” at J and R Music World in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Paul Andrew Hawthorne/WireImage)
Michelle Williams during Michelle Williams Performs at J and R Music World in New York City to Promote Her New Album “Do You Know” at J and R Music World in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Paul Andrew Hawthorne/WireImage)
2005
NEW YORK – JULY 29: (L-R) Destiny’s Child singers Beyonce Knowles; Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland pose for a portrait during the Destiny’s Child “Destiny Fulfilled…And Lovin It” tour at Madison Square Garden on July 29, 2005 In New York City. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)
2006
Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child during 2006 Clive Davis Pre-GRAMMY Awards Party – Arrivals at Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, United States. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/WireImage for J Records)
Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child during 2006 Clive Davis Pre-GRAMMY Awards Party – Arrivals at Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, United States. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/WireImage for J Records)
2007
NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 09: Singer Michelle Williams poses in the front row at the Evisu Fall 2007 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in the Salon at Bryant Park February 9, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Loud/Getty Images For IMG)
NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 09: Singer Michelle Williams poses in the front row at the Evisu Fall 2007 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in the Salon at Bryant Park February 9, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Loud/Getty Images For IMG)
2008
BROOKLYN, NY – OCTOBER 11: Michelle Williams attends the Diesel xXx Rock & Roll Circus at Pier 3 on October 11, 2008 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage for Diesel)
BROOKLYN, NY – OCTOBER 11: Michelle Williams attends the Diesel xXx Rock & Roll Circus at Pier 3 on October 11, 2008 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage for Diesel)
2009
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – SEPTEMBER 18: Michelle Williams sighting at London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010 shows at Somerset House on September 18, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Fred Duval/FilmMagic)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – SEPTEMBER 18: Michelle Williams sighting at London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010 shows at Somerset House on September 18, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Fred Duval/FilmMagic)
2010
NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 02: ***Exclusive*** Singer Michelle Williams attends Beyonce’s First Fragrance Launch After Party for “Beyonce Heat” – Catch the Fever at 15 Union Square West on February 2, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Coty)
NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 02: ***Exclusive*** Singer Michelle Williams attends Beyonce’s First Fragrance Launch After Party for “Beyonce Heat” – Catch the Fever at 15 Union Square West on February 2, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Coty)
2010
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – SEPTEMBER 17: Michelle Williams poses during the PPQ Spring/Summer 2011 show at London Fashion Week at Somerset House on September 17, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Chiaki Nozu/WireImage)
2012
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 06: Singer Michelle Williams attends the 2012 Drama League Of New York “Musical Celebration Of Broadway” Benefit at The Pierre Hotel on February 6, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 06: Singer Michelle Williams attends the 2012 Drama League Of New York “Musical Celebration Of Broadway” Benefit at The Pierre Hotel on February 6, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)
2013
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 14: Singer Michelle Williams poses during “FELA! The Musical” Photo Call at Merriam Theater on March 14, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images)
2014
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA – JANUARY 22: Singer Michelle Williams attends Essence Magazine’s 5th Annual Black Women in Music event at 1 OAK on January 22, 2014 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA – JANUARY 22: Singer Michelle Williams attends Essence Magazine’s 5th Annual Black Women in Music event at 1 OAK on January 22, 2014 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
2015
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 28: Recording artist Michelle Williams arrived at the BET & Make A Wish Foundation Recipients BET Experience At LA. Live Red Carpet arrivals – Weekend Events on June 28, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/WireImage)
2017
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 29: Michelle Williams attends the Wearable Art Gala at California African American Museum on April 29, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
2018
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 24: Singer Michelle Williams attends Steven Grossman’s 40th birthday party hosted by The IE Group at STK Los Angeles on February 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tara Ziemba/Getty Images)
2019
ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 05: Michelle Williams attends Tyler Perry Studios Grand Opening Gala – Arrivals at Tyler Perry Studios on October 5, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.(Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)
2023
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 25: (Editorial Use Only) (Exclusive Coverage) Michelle Williams attends the World Premiere of “Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé” at Samuel Goldwyn Theater on November 25, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/WireImage for Parkwood)
2024
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 25: Michelle Williams poses at a photo call for the musical based on the 1992 film “Death Becomes Her” at Public Studios on September 25, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/WireImage)
2025
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 08: Michelle Williams attends The 78th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 08, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/WireImage)
2026
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 05: (EDITOR’S NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced.) Michelle Williams attends the UTA Tony Awards Celebration in partnership with Vulture at The Times Square EDITION on June 05, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Emilio Madrid/Getty Images for UTA)
