LETOYA NEWS

Pink Panther on the cover of this...

“Pink Panther”

KING is certain of two things. One: J.R.’s mysterious death on Dynasty¹ was an inside job. Two: Beyonce Knowles was the knockout of Destiny’s Child’s original quartet. Still, she fought tooth-and-nail for the title, as the lovely LeToya Luckett was equally beautylicious. While most D.C. defectors (Double-L departed in 2000) has had trouble returning to the platinum-brick road, 24-year-old Luckett, who has a thing for boys who talk country slang, was committed to establishing her own identity after her separation from B and Kells. “Being solo puts all the pressure on you,” she says with a wink that would buckle the most hardened queer eye. With a self-titled album on Noontime/Capitol Records featuring production heavyweights Just Blaze, Jazze Pha, Scott Storch and Mike City, this DC refugee’s pipes should be able to handle the stress.

Commenting on the her unfulfilled Destiny:

“It’s a delicate situation ‘cause of the settlement agreement that we have. There’s only so much I can say. A lot of people don’t know my story. Of course I would love to go into every interview and just spill my guts and tell the truth, but at the same time, it’s a situation where it was five years ago, so why are we still talking about it?”

Admitting a penchant for thug love:

“It’s always good to keep a thug in your life. You know the one that got your back that’s gonna be there. That’s always good.”

Latoya Luckett

All eyes on her

Luckett's Solo Destiny

Ex-Destiny's Child singer gets help from Mike Jones, Slim Thug on debut

As the members of Destiny's Child get ready to go their separate ways, one former member is returning to the spotlight. LeToya Luckett, who was dismissed from the group in 2000, is releasing her self-titled solo debut on Capitol Records in February.

The Houston native -- whose most recent project was another girl group, Angel, with fellow nixed Destiny's member LaTavia Roberson -- admits that she's a little nervous about stepping forward after so many years in groups. "It's scary because I'm used to singing with three other girls," Luckett says. "It wasn't that I wanted to go solo, but I wanted to continue my dream. And so I'm going to keep singing. I'm really excited to get out there and fulfill my destiny . . . so to speak."

As a preview of the album, Luckett plans to release the aptly titled first single, "All Eyes on Me," in August and the follow-up, "I'm Good," later this year. The album's producers include Jermaine Dupri (Usher, Mariah Carey), Bryan-Michael Cox (Alicia Keys, Jessica Simpson) and Just Blaze (Jay-Z, DMX), while Mike Jones and Slim Thug add some local star power to the "All Eyes on Me" remix. "I'm representing Houston," Luckett says, "so I got my Houston rappers on there."

Luckett also just cut a track with Chingy for his next record, and she is eager for more collaborations. "I would love to do something with Gwen Stefani," she says. "I've got a crazy rock/pop song that I would love to get her on, because she's crossing over right now and she's dope."

As for her former Destiny's Child mates, whom she and Roberson sued after being dropped from the group (they settled the case), Luckett hasn't spoken with them, but says things are cool. "They said to friend of mine, 'Tell LeToya we said, 'What's up?'" Luckett says. "That meant a lot to me."

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Ex-Destiny's Child Singer Goes Solo With Help From Mike Jones - 08.19.2005 8:51 PM EDT

After trying her luck with another group, former Destiny's Child member LeToya Luckett is going the solo route.

Luckett, who formed Angel with LaTavia Roberson after the two were booted from DC (see "Ex-Destiny's Child Members Say Their Name Is Angel"), is releasing her self-titled album on Capitol in February.

Before the record, Luckett plans to release two singles, "All Eyes on Me" in August, followed by the Scott Storch-produced "I'm Good."

"It's about coming into your own, getting your self-esteem up," Luckett said of the former. "It's a real hot club joint."

Jermaine Dupri, Just Blaze and Bryan-Michael Cox (Alicia Keys, Jessica Simpson) also produced tracks on the album, while Houston rappers Mikes Jones, Slim Thug, Paul Wall and Bun B make guest appearances.

"I've always felt privileged to be from Houston, and I'm glad people are seeing talent come out of there," said Luckett, who owns a clothing store there called Lady Elle.

Along with her own album, Luckett recently recorded a track for Chingy's next album.

Luckett was a member of Destiny's Child from 1993 to 2000, when she was dismissed by manager (and Beyoncé's father) Mathew Knowles (see "Destiny's Child's Long Road To Fame (The Song Isn't Called 'Survivor' For Nothing)"). Although it was hardly an amicable split — she and Roberson sued the group twice (see " Destiny's Child Settle With Ex-Members Over 'Survivor' Dis") — Luckett was still saddened to hear that DC are now disbanding.

"I still love all of those girls and wish them the best of luck," she said. "And I know they are all going to do well solo. I'm sure they're growing apart and going through things, but God is with them and they have a strong

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