By Victoria Stockman

One of America’s biggest exports is our pop culture. While our politics may not be popular in various countries around the world, our movies, our music and our video games get loud applause from young people all around the world. American pop artist and songwriter Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child has experienced this hundreds of times during her travels to Paris, London, Switzerland and the Netherlands where the group has enjoyed headlining tours to sold-out performances. “I remember when Destiny’s Child was on tour in Paris, the fans were so into the performance and excited to hear our music live that they were passing out and fainting,” she said. “I felt like Michael Jackson or the Beatles!”

But with all the talk recently about how far is too far in entertainment, congressional hearings on the half time show at the Super Bowl, and a reevaluation of what is appropriate to be shown on TV has forced the question of what sort of message we are sending through our music. Williams argues that in terms of the nudity, sexuality, and untamed behavior, people overseas are not nearly as sensitive to indecent exposure as we are in this country. On the other hand, Williams doesn’t believe this gives artists the license to push the envelope even further. “People look up to us,” said Williams. “Each and every artist is responsible for the positive or negative message they send,” she said Williams certainly marches to the beat of her own drummer. “For me, it is important to make my music inspirational and encouraging”. Her songs “Independent Women” and “Didn’t Know” talk about different phases in her life and send empowering messages to her listeners. Learning that she didn’t always have to please people in order to get ahead is one of the lessons she shares with her fans through her music.

Recently the star in the Broadway performance of Aida, Williams continues to learn from her experiences. “I really admire the people who have been in Aida for four years, in the same theater, performing Aida every night,” she said. “This will be an experience I will never forget – the discipline that it takes to be on Broadway and the rewarding experience this has provided me has been amazing. Now that I’ve done Aida, it’s like I should be able to do anything.” Certainly her fans can look to her as a responsible role model in this country and abroad.