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The buzz: Original Destiny's Child member LeToya Luckett gets her solo career off to a sizzling start with the soulful Torn, a song about being at the crossroads of a strained relationship. It has helped build anticipation for the Houston native's self-titled album, which came out Tuesday, and secured her an opening spot on Mary J. Blige's current Breakthrough Tour. "I've looked up to Mary for so long, and she's been through so many things, and I love the way she ministers to people through her music. It's such a blessing because she has so many fans and I'll get to share my God-given talents with those fans as well. Plus, I get a free ticket to the show every night."
Making her own name: LeToya, 25, who co-wrote early Destiny's Child hits Bills Bills Bills and the Grammy-winning Say My Name, had a hand in writing nine of her album's 16 songs. The album features the production and songwriting of Just Blaze, Teddy Bishop, Brian Michael Cox, Dave Young, Johnta Austin, Walter Milsap, Jazze Pha, Scott Storch and Jermaine Dupri. Her hometown is well represented with Houston rappers Bun B., Paul Wall, Slim Thug, Mike Jones and Killa Kyleon making appearances and songs like Tear da Club Up, All Eyes on Me and Gangsta Grillz reflecting the city's lifestyle. "I love repping Houston," she says. "I'm so proud of (the rappers), and they've done a great job as far as getting the screwed and chopped sound all across the world. I've been listening to the music since I was 15-16 years old, so I had to make it a part of my album."
Destiny detoured: LeToya had her first solo in church when she was 5 and began doing school plays and choir in elementary school, where she met Beyonce. Along with LaTavia Roberson and Kelly Rowland they formed Destiny's Child, who released their self-titled debut in 1998 and their multi-platinum breakthrough The Writing's on the Wall a year later. An acrimonious rift with the group's manager, Mathew Knowles (Beyonce's father), led to LeToya and Roberson leaving in 2000 and suing the group and Knowles. The suit was ultimately settled, and LeToya says she has no hard feelings even though Destiny's Child went on to become the biggest-selling female group of all time. "I'm a strong believer in God, and I'm a strong believer that that wasn't his will for my life," she says. "I congratulate the girls. They've done it all. I can't be mad at that. At least I can say I was a part of that."
Forging on: After Destiny's Child, she and Roberson formed another four-girl group called Anjel and recorded a 22-song demo with Jagged Edge's help, but it was never released. She signed with Capitol Records in 2004 and did some soundtrack and mixtape work. She opened a successful Houston fashion boutique in 2003. One of the lines she carries is Beyonce's House of Dereon, and she maintains a fashion-business relationship with Beyonce's mother, Tina Knowles. She says the disputes are long behind them. "It was personal at the time because we were so young and our communication wasn't up to par. We were only 17 years old, so what did we know about true communication and business? That's where the lines got crossed and it turned personal. "
Keeping busy: LeToya says she'd also like to get into acting and, when she finds time, take the state exam to get her real estate license. She's not sure how she is going to juggle everything, but at least she has help. She laughs, and says, "Pray for me or make another LeToya, because I am wrestling here trying to get everything done. But I have a great mother. She helps me with everything, and she runs the store when I'm away and manages my career."
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