Letoya Luckett Reveals She Slept In Her Car After Leaving Destiny's Child

The actress-singer shared for the first time that she struggled until landing an acting role.

BYErika Marie
Christopher Polk / Staff / Getty Images

The beginning of Letoya Luckett's career spelled success. Back in the 1990s, the teen was apart of the budding quartet Destiny's Child, and after putting out a few hit singles, things began to take a turn. Soon, members began to shift and LaTavia Roberson was replaced, and then, Letoya Luckett found herself removed from the group, as well. Luckett would reemerge with her own series of albums and acting gigs, but in a recent interview, she revealed that there was a time when she was homeless or living out of hotels.

Frazer Harrison / Staff/ Getty Images

"I'mma tell you before my journey, I was staying at people's houses," Letoya Luckett said. "I'll never—I've never said it. I've never told these stories before. I slept in a car in L.A. while I was making my first album. Not a lot of nights but, you know what I'm saying? Water jug, gallon of water. I was staying in hotels. Couldn't really afford anything else."

"So, I was drinking a gallon of water and buying the microwaveable Oodles of Noodles and I was cooking them on the coffee pot of the hotel," the singer continued while shedding tears at the memory. "And then I went out for a role, which was my first role ever for Preacher's Kid and got it. And that's what got me out of that hotel. From Preeacher's Kid I met Tank, went back [and] started doing my second album. Yeah. It was a lot, but I was uncomfortable for a minute... It was straight up, me and God."

Now, she's picking up checks from her appearances on T.I. & Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle. Watch Letoya tearfully share her experience below.

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About The Author
Erika Marie is a seasoned journalist, editor, and ghostwriter who works predominantly in the fields of music, spirituality, mental health advocacy, and social activism. The Los Angeles editor, storyteller, and activist has been involved in the behind-the-scenes workings of the entertainment industry for nearly two decades. E.M. attempts to write stories that are compelling while remaining informative and respectful. She's an advocate of lyrical witticism & the power of the pen. Favorites: Motown, New Jack Swing, '90s R&B, Hip Hop, Indie Rock, & Punk; Funk, Soul, Harlem Renaissance Jazz greats, and artists who innovate, not simply replicate.