Source: LeToya Luckett
The name “LeToya” is described as “victorious one” and LeToya Luckett has definitely proven the definition to be true. As a founding member of Destiny’s Child she help set the group’s path to success and later set her own, by becoming a successful solo artist, entrepreneur, and burgeoning actress. As a member of the group, the Houston, Texas native became a multi-platinum recording artist and 2-time GRAMMY Award winner. In addition to receiving co-writing credit on their self-titled debut album, LeToya was recognized for her co-writing on eight songs from their RIAA Diamond certified sophomore album The Writing’s On The Wall, which has sold over 17 million copies worldwide. The group’s signature tune “Say My Name” won GRAMMY Awards in 2001 for “Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group” and “Best R&B Song”.
As a solo artist, LeToya’s efforts have been no less emblematic. In early 2006, her debut single “Torn” was released and quickly raced up the charts peaking at #1 on Urban Radio and #2 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Its accompanying video broke records by becoming the #1 video on BET’s 106 & Park countdown for 25 consecutive days – the first video to do so since Aaliyah’s “Rock the Boat” in 2003. Amid the success of “Torn” and touring with Mary J. Blige on her 29-city “The Breakthrough Experience Tour”, her second single “She Don’t” and solo debut album LeToya were released. The album topped several Billboard charts at #1 and was certified Gold just one month later. By the end of 2006, the album was certified Platinum, and she had not only accumulated numerous nominations, but was named “One of the Best New Artists of 2006” by AOL Music and awarded as a “Top Songwriter of 2006” by ASCAP for “Torn”.
In 2009 the Ne-Yo penned hit single, “Not Anymore” and the the infectious uptempo, “She Ain’t Got…” reflected a bolder and more mature LeToya. The success of the singles helped propel her back to the top of Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart with the release of her sophomore album Lady Love, which MTV called “golden” and “a R&B classic.” Her third single “Regret” (featuring rapper Ludacris) was quickly added to LeToya’s ever growing list of hit singles and shot into the Top 10 of Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart based on airplay alone. It was ranked at #6 on AOL Music’s “Top R&B Songs of 2009” list and on Billboard’s list of the Top R&B Songs of 2010.
In between album projects, LeToya made her professional acting debut in the JD Lawrence stage play Rumors, and later made her film debut by starring in the Warner Premiere film Preacher’s Kid in the title role as Angie King. The film was released nationwide in select markets, and has since become a top DVD seller in its genre. Soon afterwards, she joined the cast of the the romantic comedy Killers starring Aston Kutcher and Katherine Heigel, and stars alongside Academy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson and Tom Felton (Harry Potter) in From the Rough. This film was inspired by Dr. Cantana Starks, the first female head coach of an NCAA Division 1 men’s team, and is scheduled for release in 2013. LeToya also stars in the “coming of age” film Note To Self, which is written by and stars Christian Keyes, along with Richard T. Jones, Brian McKnight, Clifton Powell, Brian McKnight, Eva Marcille, Jason Weaver, and more. 2013 will showcase even more projects including roles on the new BET series, “Second Generation Wayans”, and HBO’s “Treme.”
In addition to her growing success as a solo artist and actress, LeToya has proven herself to be a successful entrepreneur. In 2003, she opened her own upscale women’s boutique, Lady L Boutique, in the Uptown Park Shopping Center in Houston, Texas. Every item in the store is personally selected by LeToya and consists of clothing and accessories from a wide selection of highly sought after brands such as Black Halo, Genetic, and Serfontaine. In 2008, a second Lady L location opened in Houston’s Galleria Mall, and has since expanded to include sections for men and children, the popular L Dance Studio, and the Celebrity Resale section – which continues LeToya’s commitment to giving back to the community by donating a portion of the proceeds to various charities.
For more info visit www.letoyaonline.com
