The early 2000s saw the rise of Destiny's Child, one of the most successful girl groups of all time. The group was initially composed of Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, LaTavia Roberson, and LeToya Luckett.
But Luckett and Roberson left the group under less than favorable circumstances. Farrah Franklin and Michelle Williams joined the group when they departed, but Franklin left soon after, leaving the trio we associate Destiny's Child with today.
The group released their self-titled debut album in 1998, which included hits such as "No, No, No" and "With Me." However, their third studio album, Survivor, released in 2001, propelled them to international fame.
The album spawned hits such as "Survivor," "Bootylicious," and "Independent Women" and topped the charts in the United States and many other countries.
Destiny's Child won numerous awards and broke several records throughout their career. They won three Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for "Say My Name," Best R&B Song for "Say My Name," and Best Contemporary R&B Album for Survivor.
Destiny's Child sold over 60 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling girl groups ever.
The group is no stranger to controversy, and Luckett has spoken about her time in the group and her relationship with Beyoncé in recent interviews.
Why LaToya Luckett Left Destiny's Child
LaToya Luckett has opened up a few times about her departure from Destiny's Child when she and fellow member LaTavia Roberson were fired from the group in 2000, leading to a controversial split.
Luckett shared her perspective on what happened when she was fired from Destiny's Child, emphasizing that it was a challenging time for her. "It was a shock to me," she stated. "I couldn't believe it was happening."
Luckett explained that the firing came after disagreements over management and creative control. She and Roberson felt they were not being treated fairly, and their input was not being valued. "We were young, and we just wanted our voices to be heard," Luckett stated.
The split was controversial, with fans taking sides and rumors circulating about what had really happened. Luckett emphasized that the situation was difficult to navigate, both personally and professionally. "It was a really tough time for me," she shared. "I felt like I had lost everything."
When Luckett left, she joined a new group with the other ex-Destiny Child member LaTavia Roberson.
What LaToya Luckett Thinks About Beyoncé
Luckett opened up about her admiration for Beyoncé's work ethic and how it has contributed to her success while on the R&B Money podcast with Tank and J. Valentine.
She stated. "I always knew that [Beyoncé] had that drive and work ethic, and I'm so proud of her for the woman that she has become and the artist that she has become. She is an icon, and it's no surprise to me that she's an icon. She deserves every accolade that she gets."
While speaking on Beyoncé's work ethic, Luckett said, "[Beyoncé's] success comes from perfecting your craft…when we wanted to go to the movies, she will be in the studio writing a record."
"It was a level of performance I had never seen before," Luckett said.
Although Luckett's departure from the group was shrouded in controversy, she has nothing but kind words for Beyoncé. "She's an amazing woman, an amazing mother, and an amazing wife. I'm proud of her," Luckett shared.
She also emphasized that she loves all her former bandmates, including Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams. Luckett's comments had surprised fans and critics, given the negative split that occurred when she left Destiny's Child.
However, it seems Luckett has moved on from the past and is focused on celebrating the successes of her former bandmates.
LaToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson's R&B Group
Luckett's departure from Destiny's Child had a significant impact on her career and personal life. She stated that she felt like she had lost her identity and struggled to find her footing in the music industry. "I didn't know who I was outside of Destiny's Child," she shared.
The split also affected Luckett's mental health, as she struggled with depression and anxiety. "I was dealing with a lot of stress and pressure," she explained. "It was hard to deal with everything that was going on."
Despite the challenges, Luckett persevered and eventually found success as a solo artist. But, when she first left the group, she and fellow band member, LaTavia Roberson, tried to create their own group.
They formed a new R&B duo called Anjel. Although they began recording an album, it was ultimately shelved. Despite their efforts, Anjel ultimately did not work out, and both Roberson and Luckett left the group in 2003.
Luckett emphasized the importance of resilience and self-care in the face of adversity, stating that taking care of oneself during difficult times is essential.
LaToya Luckett's positive thoughts on Beyoncé may surprise many, given the negative split that occurred when she left Destiny's Child.
However, her comments demonstrate the importance of maintaining positive relationships, even in adversity. Her admiration for Beyoncé's work ethic and success also highlights the power of forgiveness and moving forward positively.
