LaTavia Roberson Talks Motherhood, Music and ‘R&B Divas’: Interview

The life expectancy of R&B groups has significantly decreased over the years for some reason or another. It seems like it’s every man for him or herself. R&B groups were most popular in the ’90s. There were literally groups everywhere, from supergroups to one-hit wonders.

One group that shined in the late ’90s was Destiny’s Child. Beyoncé, Kelly, LeToya and LaTavia stormed the scene with their debut self-titled album in 1998. The album featured their chart-topping single “No, No, No (Part 2), produced by Wyclef Jean.

The following year, in 1999, Destiny’s Child released their sophomore album, “The Writing’s On the Wall.” With production and songwriting credits from people like Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, Kandi Burruss of Xscape, LaShawn Daniels, and a list of others, the album included hit singles “Say My Name” and “Bills, Bills Bills.”

With growing success, things were promising for Destiny’s Child. However, behind the scenes wasn’t all glitter and gold. Members LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson believed the group’s manager, Matthew Knowles, wasn’t treating them equally personally and financially. Thus, they requested a new manager. Unfortunately, Luckett and Roberson were allegedly forced out of the group and replaced with two new members.

It’s been about fourteen years since we’ve seen the original Destiny’s Child members together. During that time, Destiny’s Child continued to gain popularity, becoming a pop-culture phenomenon. Each member eventually went off to pursue their solo career. Luckett also pursued her solo career, releasing two critically acclaimed albums.

Meanwhile, LaTavia Roberson disappeared from the spotlight for many years. Well, we found her, and she’s back in the limelight now. In our interview, Roberson reminisces about her time in Destiny’s Child, describes how motherhood has been a major influence in her life, explains her musical hiatus, and talks about new projects she’s involved with, including “R&B Divas” and her new book.

If Roberson had to pick her favorite Destiny’s Child album, it would be “The Writing’s On the Wall,” the group’s most successful album with all original members.

“Oh my goodness. Recording that whole entire album was a great experience,” recalls Roberson, one-fourth of the original Destiny’s Child. “Sometimes I would go back and listen to the album and be like, ‘This is a damn good album.’” Roberson cites “She Can’t Love You” and “Hey Ladies” as her favorites of the album.

Not only did Destiny’s Child have hits, but they knew how to work the stage. While fans may have their favorite performances in mind, Roberson has a particular song that she loved to perform.

“I used to love when we performed ‘Get on the Bus’ because the dance routine was so fun to me for that song,’ she explains. The Timbaland-produced track was lifted from the “Why Do Fools Fall In Love” movie soundtrack.

It’s no surprise that Roberson’s favorite song to perform was based on choreography since she got her start in dancing. Before there was Destiny’s Child, there was Girl’s Tyme. At the tender age of nine, Roberson auditioned as a rapper and a dancer for the Girl’s Tyme. As the group developed, Roberson found herself transitioning to singing, which wasn’t easy at first. “It was interesting and it was challenging,” she says. “But I love a challenge.”

One challenge Roberson remembers is being in a group. “From one day to the next — with our traveling schedule and all that — you never know what is going to come up, how many interviews you have to do. It was a very demanding schedule.”

Another challenge Roberson and fellow member LeToya Luckett had was the group’s management style. After sending a letter to the group’s manager Matthew Knowles, the two found themselves forced out of the group and replaced with two new members. Surprised by the outcome, Roberson and Luckett kept their heads high.

Shortly after parting ways with Destiny’s Child, Roberson and Luckett tried to start anew in 2001 by creating a girl group called Anjel. The group recorded music with Brian and Brandon Casey of Jagged Edge. However, it was never released; eventually, the group parted ways. “Some business things didn’t go right between us, so we just ended up dissolving. When people have other things that they want to do, sometimes things just don’t work.”

After allegedly getting kicked out of Destiny’s Child and failing to go anywhere with her new group, Roberson took a chill pill. While Destiny’s Child and its members continued to pursue music and other projects, Roberson stepped out of the spotlight to focus on her family.

“During that time, nobody heard from me. I was dealing with internal issues with my own life and trying to get my head on straight,” says Roberson. “I took a serious role to get involved with my family. My grandparents were sick — rest both of their souls now — and my mother got diagnosed with breast cancer. So I had to take a step back and really get myself prepared and wrap my head around putting myself back out there.”

Not only was Roberson dealing with family problems, but she was also battling her own problems. At one point, Roberson found drinking alcohol a way to cope with her issues. Thankfully, she was able to win her battle against alcoholism while remaining out of the spotlight. “It would have been horrible if I was out there and all over the place,” she says. “That wouldn’t have been cute.”

Roberson is focused on her present and future, leaving her past behind but not forgetting where she came from. The 32-year-old entertainer is now a mother and couldn’t be happier anymore.

“It’s been one of the most humbling experiences ever and I just know that no matter what, me having my daughter gives me a totally different reason to live and I’m so in love,” says Roberson, who gave birth to a daughter in August 2013. “I’ve never been so in love in my whole entire life — like ever.”

Roberson is busier than ever. She has a memoir that explains everything she’s been going through all these years — in the spotlight and out of the spotlight.

“Right now, I’m trying to find a wonderful publishing home for [my book],” Roberson explains. “I call it my ‘love letter’ because it is truly transparent about my life. You asked me earlier what have I been through and you didn’t hear from me in a while, well my love letter is about that because I want everybody to know what I’ve been through. As of now, I’m just trying to see where she lands because she’s very dear to me and I’m looking forward to the day that happens.”

It may be some time before we see Roberson’s book hit shelves. We will see some of her life played out on television. Last year, Roberson started to film her own reality show but switched gears when she was presented with the opportunity to be a part of season three of “R&B Divas: Atlanta” with her R&B colleagues Syleena Johnson, Monifah, Keke Wyatt, Angie Stone and Meelah of 702.

“At the point in time when it got presented to me, God just told me that ‘This is a great opportunity for you, so I decided to roll with it,” explains Roberson on her decision to join the cast. “When this happened, I knew that it was something I was supposed to do.”

Roberson says she enjoyed filming “R&B Divas: Atlanta.” “My experience overall with the ladies has actually been a great experience,” she says. “I didn’t know what to expect going into it.”

Some R&B veterans have strategically used “R&B Divas” to rejuvenate their music careers. Since all the other original members of Destiny’s Child have released solo albums, fans have wondered if Roberson plans on releasing new music.

“You know what, we’re all wondering that aren’t we?” laughs Roberson. “It’s definitely some music talks in the works. I’ve been focusing a lot more on my acting career right now, but I have been meeting with producers and things like that, so only time will tell.”

When asked about what type of sound fans can expect, Roberson says, “ I love different genres of music. I’m a very pop/acoustic type of person. I’m not strictly R&B. I love soul and stuff like that, so I’m just — in my head as far as I feel about music — is very different from the way I came up in music. Music touches my soul at the end of the day. I love music and great songs.”

Besides her book, “R&B Divas,” and potentially new music, Roberson has other projects in the works. She’s been focusing on her acting career by auditioning and doing plays, doing breast cancer advocacy work and public speaking to young girls.

How does Roberson balance her busy schedule with being a mother? “A lot of prayers, because the schedule is so crazy,” she says. “You never know what’s going to happen from one day to the next — especially with filming reality TV. I pray for the strength and just know that she’s the biggest blessing in my life. She keeps me motivated, so I find the time and energy to deal with what I have to deal with.”

Season three of “R&B Divas: Atlanta” premieres this spring. Follow LaTavia Roberson on Twitter/Instagram @IAmLaTavia. Like her on Facebook at Facebook.com/OfficialLaTavia.