Michelle Williams Says Her First Kiss & First Fight Were in Church
- Aaris Grant
- Feb 11
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 8
Michelle Williams is a bona fide church kid. The world may know her as a member of the iconic girl group Destiny's Child, but church folk know that she can direct a choir and sing the church house DOWN too!
Michelle Williams Spills the Tea on The Jennifer Hudson Show
"It was just a peck!" Michelle tried to reassure the studio audience during Monday's (February 10) filming of her Jennifer Hudson episode. Everyone gasped and laughed as she explained that her first kiss ever happened between morning and afternoon service with someone in the church chapel.
And as it turns out--the singer is both a lover and a fighter. She revealed that the church house was the location of her first fight too! "This girl tried me in Vacation Bible School. And so we had to take it out to the church lobby!", she recounts.
Our good sis is no stranger to the CHUCH ( no 'r'). As a kid, she spent a large portion of her time there. So it's no surprise that she has funny and relatable stories about her childhood.
Michelle Williams Grew Up COGIC
The incredible vocalist has always been candid about her church upbringing. "I was very busy in church growing up. Those are my roots and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world." As a child, she attended St. Paul Church of God in Christ in Rockford, Illinois.
COGIC: The Largest Black Pentecostal Church Organization in the World
COGIC has an old saying, "You can't join in, you gotta be born in!" They've since retired this saying, but it speaks to the close-knit culture of the organization. Christian public figures like Kevin Fredricks (KevOnStage), Mary Mary, and the Clark sisters also grew up in the COGIC church and share similar stories about frequently attending church services.
Church is the Best Foundation
Michelle didn't just attend a COGIC church--they put her to WORK. Her roles in the church included choir member, choir director, praise and worship leader, and even a Jr. Usher and church nurse on select Sundays. Williams attributes a lot of her skils and knowledge to her experience at church. Church taught her everything from discipline and perseverance to working bad sound systems. "Some of the best teaching and foundaton for me was in the church...the best community service you could ever have is serving in your church."
As a guest on the Ananda Lewis Show in the early 2000s, she shared that she first sang a solo at church when she was 7-years-old. She sang the hymn 'Blessed Assurance'.
Michelle shares that she always wanted to sing professionally, but didn't know how to make that dream a reality.
Because of that, she decided to get a degree and a job somewhere- but God had other plans.
Now, she's most known for her pop chart hits and her role in Death Becomes Her on Broadway. However, she's stayed true to her roots all these years. She released two Gospel studio albums and starred alongside Deitrick Haddon in the hit reality series Fix My Choir.
Church Kids Know The Deal
As J. Hud asked Michelle for details about her church stories, she mentioned spots like the fellowship hall, sanctuary, and even the church bus and van. Her reaction to the stories suggests that Michelle's experiences are a common occurrence among people who grew up in the church--and she's right!
Most adults would never think of behaving unseemly at church, but kids will be kids—even in the house of the Lord. We asked Instagram users in the BlackChurchTok comment section if they could relate to Michelle's story, and the comments did not disappoint. People responded with sentiments of agreement, saying, " Sounds about right" or "I did more than just tussle at the church."
One person mentioned church camp, and if you know, you KNOW. Church camp is a fun and exciting time for Christian kids, but it is also the setting for tons of mischievous behavior.
She's THAT Girl!
The comment section on almost any post about Michelle Williams frequently includes remarks on how genuine, sweet, wise, and downright hilarious the singer is.
She's been very vulnerable about her struggles with mental health but is also very open about how she's overcome them. In an interview on The Breakfast Club, she shared, "Imma make some mistakes. I might have some fear and be like, 'I don't know if I can do that.' You'll say little things out of feeling inferior. Feel that feeling of fear, but don't sit in it. Don't let it paralyze you."
She encouraged listeners to abide by the biblical principle of sewing and reaping by being intentional and careful with their words. Speak positively, even when you don't feel confident, because what you say will manifest in your life. "Faith moves everything", Michelle explains. "Fear moves absolutely nothing."
Whether she's acting on Broadway, telling a funny story, or singing at an award show, one thing is for sure: Michelle Williams is unique and truly unforgettable.
Check out some of our favorite Michelle Williams moments here on Instagram.
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