Michelle Williams on Her Broadway Return inDeath Becomes Her— and How Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland ‘Fuel’ Her (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Michelle Williams speaks to students at a The Broadway Collective workshop in New York City on Dec. 7.Photo:Valerie Terranova/Getty

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 07: Robert Hartwell and Michelle Williams speak to students as Michelle Williams visits Robert Hartwell’s Hello Broadway Live at Ripley Grier Rehearsal Studio on December 07, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images)

Valerie Terranova/Getty

In between performing inDestiny’s Childand releasing solo music,Michelle Williamshas had a prolific career on Broadway. From playing the titular role inAidato Roxie Hart inChicago, the actress/singer, 45, has spent the past 20 years building her theater career.

But her latest role is perhaps the most exciting. Last month, Williams made her debut in the musical adaptation ofDeath Becomes Her, in which she’s been playing Viola Van Horn, the mysterious figure who possesses the potion that grants eternal youth (essentially Isabella Rossellini’s role in the 1992 film starring Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn).

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, theFela!star opened up about her experience inDeath Becomes Heron Broadway, havingBeyoncéandKelly Rowlandattend the show’s opening night and why she wanted to lend her expertise to aspiring Broadway stars at a Dec. 7 workshop forThe Broadway Collectivein New York City.

Congratulations on your role inDeath Becomes Her. How did you prepare to play Viola in the production?

Death Becomes Her - Michelle Williams, Megan Hilty and Cast

Which artists did you study?

Now, I can’t give that away. Everybody don’t give all their sauce away. Sometimes I feel like them secret recipes, they don’t give all the ingredients.

Fair! What do you think people appreciate aboutDeath Becomes Her?

It’s like their getaway. It’s an escape. I watchJudge Judyevery day, all day, sometimes. I guess it’s that same feeling for them. IfJudge Judywas on Broadway, I would probably be there eight times a week, too.

You’ve been performing in theater for years. What initially made you want to star on Broadway?

I really enjoyed being in the creative and performing arts while I was in school. Now, the auditioning part is a total nightmare at times, and I remember always auditioning and they would never pick me. And I’m like, “What is this?” And it’s so amazing. The other day I had the opportunity to sit with Robert Hartwell’s Broadway Collective, and I had to share that story with a lot of his students because a lot of them were wanting to be in theater in some form. I had to tell them the true story [that] sometimes when you audition for something, you don’t always get it. But just stay ready. That was in school when I was a child. Now imagine in 2003, I’m ready when they ask me to doAidaon Broadway. That was just an encouragement to people. If you really want it, you will stay committed.

Michelle Williams at a ‘Death Becomes Her’ musical photo call on Sept. 25, 2024 in New York City.Bruce Glikas/WireImage

michelle williams new york 09 25 24

Bruce Glikas/WireImage

How did you end up deciding to surprise this Broadway workshop?

Oh, I saw the young man, Robert, because of a house that he had renovated. So, I am over here thinking, “Oh, this is an amazing documentary. I would love to do something like this.” I was following him based on that. I noticed that my publicist followed him, and I was like, “Well, then I know I’m in good company.” My publicist and all these people that I adore love him. He’s just so kind. I’ve seen him do theTamron Hall Show[and be] so infectious. And then I saw him post about Broadway Collective. I was like, “Wait a minute. I did not know this.”

So, he posted something, and I literally said, “How can I help?” Because I love being able to lend a hand and inspire a younger generation.Whitney Houstonis my favorite vocalist, artist, performer, and when I was between those ages of 7 and 14, I would’ve melted like chocolate had Whitney Houston walk into a room to say “Hi,” given us some advice and mentored us for an hour. If I can just share with people my experience, but give them the real deal, I really believe at least one [person] was inspired and encouraged. Because I don’t think of myself that highly, I pray that one of my nuggets inspired someone to keep going, to embrace how awkward you might be. Because sometimes when you’re artsy, you’re rejected, you’re overlooked or you’re seen as weird. I wanted those students to just embrace it and perfect it.

What was the biggest piece of advice you gave to the folks at the workshop?

When a casting director says, “Thank you, we’re going to go in another direction.” That could be like, “You don’t want me?” Sometimes the casting director will know it when they see it. Sometimes they don’t know exactly what they’re looking for. Maybe it’s a feeling, maybe it’s something that they connect to because they’re going to have to work with you and direct you. I respect that. I told them, you can ask, “Hey, what can I maybe work on?” You’re allowed to ask that. It takes maybe some growth and for you to be like, “It ain’t that people are trying to control you or tell you what to do. It’s so that you can look your best.” As I’m talking to you, you’re probably like, “Girl, you a little passionate. This ain’t MasterClass right now.” But I’m so excited.

The Broadway Collective’s Robert Hartwell and Michelle Williams in December 2024.Valerie Terranova/Getty

Robert Hartwell and Michelle Williams speak to students as Michelle Williams visits Robert Hartwell’s Hello Broadway Live at Ripley Grier Rehearsal Studio on December 07, 2024 in New York City.

Honestly, you should do a MasterClass.

You know what? I absolutely will. Don’t tempt me with a good time. I will absolutely do a MasterClass, and I need to start one and do one in my hometown of Rockford, Ill.

What was it like having your Destiny’s Child bandmates Kelly Rowland and Beyoncé at the opening night ofDeath Becomes Her?

It was an absolute joy having them there because I know they’re fans of the movie. Kelly was just like, “Wait a minute. How is she going to have the hole in her stomach?” I said, “You have to come see the show. You got to come see it.” Just them trading lines of the movie that they know, it was really a joy to have them come to see something that I’m equally excited about as well. Having them there, I felt anchored. We obviously have not been touring together for years, but it took me back to the time when I’d been with them on stage. Even though they weren’t on stage with me, I felt so grounded. It’s giving me some fuel for the rest of my run in the show.

Why is it so important for you guys to support one another?

I feel like God has blessed me with some more sisters. I have two sisters home in Illinois, and he’s given me another set of sisters, and you support those you love and those you care about as best as you can. So, I’m just really, really thankful.

Beyoncé, Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland backstage at ‘Death Becomes Her’ on Broadway.Beyonce/Instagram

Beyonce, Michelle Williams, Kelly Rowland

Beyonce/Instagram

It’s the 20th anniversary of Destiny Child’s final album,Destiny Fulfilled. Do you have any untold stories about the making of that record?

That’s great. How do you spend your downtime in New York City?

It kind of depends. We don’t have a matinee today, so I literally just made a cup of decaf coffee because I’m not supposed to have caffeine while on Broadway, which is very difficult for me. Caffeine dehydrates my vocal cords. There’s an awesome view out my window. I really need to go get my nails done today. I need a fill.

[I’m] in deep thought right now for my 2025, I’m looking at this beauty advent calendar that someone sent me that has all these goodies in it. I’m like, “How am I going to get through all of these products?” It’s random stuff like that I do and try to catch up on some things on Netflix. Normal stuff that keeps my cortisol levels down.

source: people.com