EXCLUSIVE WITH LETOYA LUCKETT FORMER MEMBER OF DESTINY’S CHILD!!

LeToya Luckett is probably best known as being part of one the best selling girl groups of all time, Destiny’s Child. She’s also known as one of the members that made an early exit out of the group at the height of their second album, “The Writings on the Wall.” Now that the dust has settled, she is back on top on the same playing field as her former members and she’s back in a MAJOR WAY! With a platinum album under her belt, a sophomore project that is following in the same footsteps and a burgeoning acting career with two movies set to be released in 2010, the days of Destiny’s Child seem like a lifetime ago! 

In “Preacher’s Kid” you are the lead character. How did you get that part?

Initially, I had a much smaller role in the movie. I was actually cast for the role of Angie, which is the lead role, 4 days before shooting began. The director Stan Foster felt like after viewing my audition tapes, I was better suited for the lead. So that’s how that all happened.

Were you nervous about playing the lead?

Absolutely! I had never done a feature film before and to prepare for a part that I knew nothing about in 4 days was crazy! I didn’t really have any acting experience, so it was definitely a challenge for me. At the end of the day everything worked out better than I imagined. I had a great acting coach, Troy Rowland and Stan Foster was very encouraging and helpful also. Everyone was so awesome to work with.

Did you have to learn all the songs for the movie in that short amount of time too?

Yes. I had to learn everything! As soon as I got off the plane in Atlanta, I went straight to the studio. I knew NOTHING! I had two hours to record every song in the movie! Then I went to do my fitting, met the rest of the cast and then we started shooting. We shot for about 6 weeks.

Did you ever feel like you took on too much and couldn’t handle the role?

Well, there were certain scenes that I was definitely nervous about, especially when the script called for me to cry. I was like, “How am I gonna do this?” When you see it on TV, it looks so easy, but when the time comes for you to actually do the scene, it’s a lot of pressure. And you have to do it over and over and over again. To my surprise and the director’s surprise, when we rehearsed one of the most emotional scenes, I had so much emotion built up that I cried right on queue. When you’re in the moment and immersed in the character, it just happens. They had to stop me from crying after that first time. It’s crazy because in real life it takes a lot for me to cry.

Do you have any more movie roles coming up in the future?

I do. I have another movie that will be coming out sometime in 2010 called, “Five Killers” starring Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl.

Do you read critiques, as far as your music and movies are concerned?

I do want to know how people feel about my work. You have to go into it with the mindset that everyone is not going to love what you do. Nowadays, I don’t read them that much. I’ll read a little and see how everyone is feeling about it and then I’m done. But I don’t let it affect what I do. I don’t internalize it. People are going to say things, good and bad, and you have to be ready for that because a lot of times they do help.

How important is it to have a spiritual foundation in this business?

It’s everything to me!! Whether you’re in this crazy entertainment business or not, it’s just so important to have that. If I didn’t have a spiritual foundation, I would be loco. I start each morning off with prayer and I know that every day isn’t going to be perfect, but to know that God has given you another day to turn things around or to touch someone’s life is a blessing in itself. I don’t get to church every Sunday, but I listen to Joel Osteen all the time and download all his podcasts. I have church on my laptop. None of this expected favor that’s going on in my life is because of me. I didn’t see it coming. But, I know none of this would be possible if I didn’t have a relationship with God.

When the whole Destiny’s Child situation unraveled and you were out of the spotlight, did you ever question your decision or ask God what’s next?

There was never a doubt in my mind about the decision I made. When it all went down, I wasn’t like, “Oh my God, what’s going to happen to me…my life is over.” IT WAS NEVER THAT! When you question God, that’s when all types of crazy stuff starts happening. Now, I did say to myself that it didn’t really go down to well, but then I was like, “What’s next?!!?” During that time, I stayed in church. On Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday that’s where you would find me. I was just seeking Him. I said, “Lord I know this isn’t the end, so whatever You have for me I’m waiting on You.” He just kept leading me down all these crazy paths and I didn’t have an understanding as to why I was doing certain things. Now that I look back, everything single thing lined up. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. The lessons that I learned along this journey, I would never take back. Had I not gone through the struggles and the uncertainty, I wouldn’t be who I am today. It taught me to NEVER EVER doubt God. As long as you don’t give up on Him, He won’t give up on you.

Did you pray about the decision before you decided to leave Destiny’s Child?

I prayed about seeking new management. That’s what Latavia and I wanted. It wasn’t like we decided to remove ourselves from the group. We received a letter saying your services are no longer needed because we had requested a co-management situation. But even with that, regardless if they decided to move on without us, and they did, that’s what God had for the group. Because after that everything took off. Even now with all of our different solo careers and different ventures, that breakup helped propel Destiny’s Child to another level. But I did pray with my family to make sure it was the right decision.

Will there ever be a D.C. reunion?

Only God knows.

Let’s talk about the new album “Lady Love.”

Yes! “Lady Love” is my new album that is in stores everywhere and it’s a very personal album for me. There is a lot of growth from me on this album as an artist and vocally. I tried to make an album with songs that everyone could relate to that could change someone’s heart or make them look at things a little differently. And I think I did that from the feedback I’ve been getting. It’s a fun album. I worked with Ne-Yo, Tank, Estelle, Ludacris and Ryan Leslie. It’s for the lovers, single people and the ones waiting on God to bring them the “one.”

Since you mentioned Tank, did you guys do the movie first or your album?

Tank and I shot the movie first. It was crazy because during the shooting breaks, I would let Tank hear some of the tracks I was working on. Then he would go get his laptop and he would play some stuff for me that he thought would fit for my album. After we finished the movie we flew to LA and 3 out of the 4 songs we did ended up on the album. So we actually never planned to work together on my album, it just worked out that way.

What Gospel artists are you listening to?

I like J. Moss, Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, Israel, Marvin Sapp and of course Mary Mary.

LETOYA’S 20 RANDOM TRUTHS

1. Least favorite vegetable? Cauliflower.
2. What kind of toothpaste do you use? “Crest.”
3. Duet with any artist. Who would it be? Stevie Wonder.
4. Would you ever skydive? No.
5. Afraid of snakes? No.
6. Favorite movie? “Waiting to Exhale.”
7. Favorite cereal? “Lucky Charms.”
8. Morning or night person? Night.
9. Do you snore? Not sure about that.
10. Favorite cartoon? “Family Guy.”
11. Favorite Destiny’s Child song? “Say My Name.”
12. Kelly Price, Coko, Tamia or Deborah Cox? Kelly Price.
13. Favorite male R&B group? Boyz II Men.
14. On time or late for church? Late.
15. Favorite candy bar? “Baby Ruth.”
16. Can you cook? Yes.
17. How many kids do you want? 3.
18. Favorite reality show? Keyshia Cole.
19. The View, Oprah or Wendy Williams? “The View.”
20. Biggest insecurity? When my hair ain’t right!! That’s a problem!