While fans are tuning in to Naturi Naughton’s character Tasha on Power Book II: Ghost via STARZ, the actress herself is preparing for the release of her upcoming album, which will explore her journey with 3LW.
As a teen, Naughton joined Adrienne Bailon Houghton and Kiely Williams to form the group. “It was exciting, but also a little scary,” Naughton said of being a member of the group.
The young group quickly rose to the spotlight with their notable hits “No More” and “Playas Gon’ Play” and albums 3LW and A Girl Can Mack. Just a few years into their career, Naughton left 3LW due to what she said was management tension build-up between the group, and a reported food fight that caused her to feel “physically abused.”
“It was a tumultuous breakup. However, I do look back and remember, ‘Oh, I was on the TRL tour, opening up for Destiny’s Child,'” Naughton says.
Although her time with the group didn’t go as expected, Naughton says she has learned a lot from the experience.
“I think a lot of people that know me now, who even watch Power, don’t realize how long my journey has been. This has been since I was 15, and I’ve been in the business for 20 years. I look back at that experience of being in a girl group, although it had some learning experiences that were growing pains, it just showed me what it takes to make it in this industry,” Naughton explains.
One thing specific that the 36-year-old actress learned from the experience was that “Trust is a huge part of it and I think in that group things just didn’t go right,” Naughton adds.
Following her time with 3LW, Naughton enrolled at Seton Hall University, where she pursued political science, while her former group members went on to join The Cheetah Girls with singer Sabrina Bryan.
Despite their indifferences, Naughton and Bailon, 36, were able to make amends in 2017 after The Real co-host apologized to the Power actress for how things went down.
“I genuinely from the bottom of my heart never meant any harm towards you. I think you’re talented and beautiful,” Bailon said.
Naughton transitioned back into singing when she starred in Hairspray on Broadway. It wasn’t until then that she switched to acting, eventually acquiring the role of Tasha St. Patrick on Power.
But now, after years of mainstream success on the small screen, Naughton is ready to put her energy into her first love: music. Ever since joining the choir of her home church in East Orange, New Jersey, Naughton has enjoyed singing.
“I found myself in the church choir at 5 years old. I was a very outgoing kid. I liked being the center of attention,” Naughton shares.
Naughton says she is taking it back to when artists were singing when it comes to what fans can expect to hear on the mother-of-one’s upcoming album.
“I want to bring back that ’90s era vibe with people really singing”, she said. “I’m excited to just tell my story through song because a lot the songs I had to talk about feelings I had after being ousted from 3LW.”
The release date for her upcoming album has yet to be announced.
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