Fox's 'We are Family' shines spotlight on famous Rockford native, talented cousin
It's one thing to sing with Michelle Williams when you hear her booming soulful voice on the radio, it's another to sing with her on stage.
That's what happened to Rockford native Evandia Penix when she joined her cousin in a new television game show on Fox called, "We are Family." The show hosted by Black-ish star Anthony Anderson and his mother, Doris Bowman, made its debut last week on Fox.
The show features non-famous relatives of celebrities performing with their hidden famous family member while a studio audience of 100 contestants guess which celebrity the performer is related to before the celebrity is revealed.
The audience went wild when Williams, also a Rockford native, was revealed and joined Penix in a duet cover of “Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson.
Penix, 23, who has been singing since she was 4 and acting since her sophomore year at Guilford High School, said making a living as a singer and actor is a childhood dream that may have taken a big step toward reality thanks to one phone call from her famous cousin.
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Reached in Los Angeles, Williams, an author, actor and singer best known as a member of Destiny's Child, said Fox initially reached out to her and told her about the show.
"They literally just said, 'Hey, do you have family members who can sing?'"
Williams said Penix immediately came to mind.
"She does a lot of theater and singing in the community in Rockford and in the regional area, and she was just a perfect fit."
Penix said, "I talked to Michelle and she explained everything to me. It was very, very surprising, but like exciting at the same time."
Williams, 43, and Penix grew up in the same church, St. Paul Church of God in Christ in Rockford.
She said of Penix, "Her grandfather, James Washington, is the pastor emeritus at St. Paul. He was my childhood pastor. He's my mother's brother. So, when you talk about "We are Family," St. Paul is family. It was literally a family reunion every Sunday."
And Penix isn't the only member of that extended family with a career in show business.
Kevin Wilson is a contributing choreographer for shows such as “So You Think You Can Dance”, “The Voice”, “America's Got Talent”, “Dancing With The Stars”, and “The Masked Singer."
"We went to church together. We went to school together. His mother was my principal for a small moment in high school," Williams said. "So, there are just so many people whether they're writing, producers, engineers, choreographers — there are a lot of people from Rockford doing great things."
Williams most recently appeared in the Rose Bowl Parade Jan. 1. She also hosts a podcast called "Checking In with Michelle Williams" and has written a book called "Checking In."
The episode of "We are Family" featuring Williams and Penix can be streamed on Hulu.
Chris Green: 815-987-1241; cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Destiny Child's Michelle Williams touts talent coming out of Rockford
