From Destiny’s Child to Dawson’s Creek: The Dual Legacies of Michelle Williams

Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates from Your Next Shoes. This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure for more details.

Tenitra Michelle Williams, who rose to fame in the 2000s as a member of R&B girl group Destiny’s Child, and Michelle Ingrid Williams, an American actress whose accolades include a Golden Globe Award and a Primetime Emmy Award, are both known professionally as Michelle Williams.

Tenitra Michelle Williams was born on July 23, 1979, in Rockford, Illinois, U.S., and is of African-American ethnicity. On the other hand, Michelle Ingrid Williams, born on September 9, 1980, in Kalispell, Montana, U.S., has a diverse European heritage, including Norwegian, English, German, Danish, Swiss-German, Swedish, Scottish, and Welsh.

American actress Michelle Ingrid Williams and Destiny's Child singer Tenitra Michelle Williams are both known professionally as Michelle WilliamsAmerican actress Michelle Ingrid Williams and Destiny’s Child singer Tenitra Michelle Williams are both known professionally as Michelle Williams (Credit: WENN / FayesVision / Nicky Nelson)

Despite sharing a professional name, these two Michelle Williamses have achieved fame in different entertainment spheres and are unrelated.

Michelle Ingrid Williams: From Screen Romance to Real-Life Drama

Following romantic relationships with actresses Lisa Zane (1997 – 1998), Heather Graham (2000 – 2001), and Naomi Watts (2002 – 2004), Heath Ledger met and began dating actress Michelle Williams on the set of Brokeback Mountain.

Their relationship lasted from 2004 until 2007. After his relationship with Michelle Williams, Ledger was involved with several other notable figures, including Lindsay Lohan, Mary-Kate Olsen, and Gemma Ward, from 2007 to 2008.

He also had relationships with Christina Cauchi (2000 – 2002) and Yvette Rachelle. Furthermore, Ledger is rumored to have had connections with Kate Hudson and Helena Christensen in 2007.

Michelle Williams and her boyfriend Heath Ledger arrive at the 22nd Annual Film Independent Spirit AwardsMichelle Williams and her boyfriend Heath Ledger arrive at the 22nd Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards held at Santa Monica Beach on February 24, 2007, in Santa Monica, California (Credit: Nikki Nelson/ WENN)

They never married, but their daughter, Matilda Rose, was born in New York City on October 28, 2005.

In September 2007, Williams’ father, Larry R. Williams, confirmed that Ledger and Williams had ended their relationship. Heather and Michelle reportedly broke up due to his drug addiction.

Glamour and Style: Michelle Williams at Cannes

In May 2010, Michelle Williams attended the Cannes Film Festival alongside her co-star Ryan Gosling to promote the romantic drama film Blue Valentine. Michelle debuted a stunning new appearance that left an impressive mark on almost everyone.

Michelle Williams, Derek Cianfrance, Ryan Gosling and Faith Wladyka at the Cannes International Film Festival 2010 - Day 7 - 'Blue Valentine' Photocall in Cannes, France on May 18, 2010Michelle Williams, Derek Cianfrance, Ryan Gosling, and Faith Wladyka at the Cannes International Film Festival 2010 – Day 7 – ‘Blue Valentine’ Photocall in Cannes, France on May 18, 2010

Known for her strawberry blonde wavy locks, she now looks uber MOD in a shorter and even blonder (close to platinum) side-swept haircut. I so love her new pixie hairdo. The light hair is a beautiful contrast to her blue-black Suno dress.

Michelle Williams' hot legs and blonde side-swept haircutMichelle Williams’ hot legs and blonde side-swept haircut (Credit: WENN)

And I love how she finished off the outfit with an on-trend pair of sky-high cork wedges — which, by the way, look very comfortable. Here’s a closer look at those shoes:

Michelle Williams' hot feet in cork wedge sandals
Michelle Williams’ hot feet in cork wedge sandals (Credit: WENN)

Michelle’s sandals are by Stella McCartney and have a brushed faux leather upper. They feature 5.25-inch-tall cork wedges and pink trimmings at the midsoles. The platforms are 1.25 inches thick, so you’ll walk in 4-inch heels with the pair.

Stella McCartney Cork WedgesStella McCartney Cork Wedges, $735