As one-third of Destinys Child, Michelle Williams' multi-platinum success withone of the biggest girl groups of all time has long overshadowed what shes done on her own. But that hasnt stopped her from carving a solo career packed with reinvention -- and lots of ambitious risks.

Nearly a decade after the groups swan song, Beyonce is a singular pop force and Kelly Rowland has perfected a unique brand of slinky urban-pop. Williams, however, has dipped her toes in numerous lanes. She has issued hit gospel albums (she was the first to go solo), tackled Broadway with roles in "Aida" and "Chicago" and has toured with productions of "The Color Purple" and "Fela!"

Her fourth album, "Journey to Freedom," released Tuesday, is her first effort since 2008s underappreciated dance-pop-R&B trip Unexpected. Already No. 1 on the iTunes Christian & Gospel chart, "Journey to Freedom" blends the many genres Williams has explored for an uplifting set that retains the soul and fiery grooves her fans have come to expect.

The album has quite a declarative title. What has your journey to freedom meant?

Im still on the journey. Its a journey of leaving the past and moving forward and being free from anything thats going to keep me from being my absolute best. Sometimes youre scared of letting go of your comfort zone. You might be scared of letting go of familiar territory. On the road to greatness or success there is a season where you have to be alone and you have to get free from those worries and those doubts.

What was the comfort zone you felt you wanted to break from?

I cant tell you how many times I got cursed out, because there would be a song and Id say Thats not for me. I allowed myself to be put in a box. People say, Oh thats the good girl, shes conservative. I had to get out of that comfort zone of feeling like what gospel music is supposed to sound like. Somebody hit me on Twitter a few days ago saying Youre not a Christian because you mix secular and gospel. Its stupid. I didn't know there was a sound to gospel. I thought it was more about the message. I don't think God cares if its an angel playing with a harp or if a rapper is talking about the good news and inspiring.

Six years have passed since the last album. Did Broadway delay the project?

From 2007 to 2013, it was consumed with theater. Some of these shows require six months or more. I had done Chicago in London, Morocco and then we toured with it. My contract with The Color Purple was for a year. For a year I toured with What My Husband Doesnt Know and for seven months I toured with Fela. [The album] probably could have came out last year but I was doing Fela. I would have been stupid to not do Fela, it was such a great opportunity to be with such an historic show. Hopefully next year I'm on the Broadway stage again.

You were supposed to tour with Jesus Christ Superstar but the production fell apart in the eleventh hour. What did you take from that?

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Michelle Williams on her 'Journey to Freedom'