In the musical tapestry of the late ’90s and early 2000s, a trio emerged under the name 3LW, an acronym which stood for 3 Lil Women. United by shared passion and familial bonds, Adrienne Bailon, Kiely Williams, and Naturi Naughton formed the core of this American girl group in 1999. Their journey began with humble origins, shaped by the visionary guidance of Michelle and Tse Williams, who oversaw the group’s management.
It wasn’t long before their harmonies reached the airwaves with their debut single, “No More (Baby I’ma Do Right),” which became a hit with audiences in the fall of 2000. This initial success set the stage for a cascade of achievements, as subsequent hits like “Playas Gon’ Play” and “I Do (Wanna Get Close to You)” cemented their place in the music industry’s spotlight.
Embarking on a whirlwind of tours and collaborations, 3LW found themselves in esteemed company, sharing stages and studios with icons like Destiny’s Child and Michael Jackson. Their versatility shone brightly, whether lending their voices to charitable endeavors or infusing youthful energy into soundtracks like “Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius.” However, like all journeys, theirs was not without turbulence. Internal strife and external pressures threatened to derail their trajectory, particularly during the tumultuous period surrounding the departure of Naturi Naughton in 2002. Yet, amidst the chaos, the resilience of their fan base heightened their spirits. Undeterred by setbacks, 3LW evolved, welcoming Jessica ‘J’ Benson into their ranks and recalibrating their sound for a new era. Yet, as they navigated the labyrinth of fame, individual aspirations beckoned, leading Bailon and Williams to embrace opportunities beyond the confines of 3LW.
The dawn of The Cheetah Girls marked a new chapter, as Bailon and Williams seamlessly transitioned from one venture to another, leaving an indelible mark on both music and cinema. Meanwhile, Naturi Naughton charted her own course pursuing an academic and artistic endeavor.
In a 2020 interview with People, Naturi said that she doesn’t speak to Kiely or Adrienne. But each of them has gone on from the group to have a successful career. Naturi said that she had been blacklisted from being signed to a label as a solo artist after she left 3LW. She eventually studied political science at Seton Hall University. Naturi then carved out a career on stage in Hairspray on Broadway and also in TV on the BET series Power. She recently married her husband, entertainment manager Two Lewis.
As for Adrienne and Kiely, they starred along with Raven-Symoné and Sabrina Bryan in The Cheetah Girls film series. Adrienne also co-hosted The Real for its entire run and she also stars in the web series All Things Adrienne. Kiely has continued to make music as a solo artist, although she has yet to come out with a solo album. She also made her mark as an actress starring in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, and more while also starring in Cheetah Girls movies. She has also worked on several web series like Dinner With Friends, March Moms, and Bad Sex With Good People. In 2021, Kiely starred in BET Presents: The Encore and now is a member of the R&B supergroup group BluPrint. It released its first album in August of that year.
So what about Jessica Benson? Jess seems to have completely disappeared from the public eye since quitting the band, although she reportedly works as a real estate agent in Atlanta.
With the beef between the members of 3LW still standing, we don’t think they will be getting back together anytime soon. But Adrienne did give us some hope. On June 1, 2022, she posted a picture on her Instagram with Naturi. She captioned the shot “#2LW #LetTheHealingBegin.” And then they went live to give that apology..
While reconciliation remains elusive, glimpses of camaraderie occasionally surface, hinting at the possibility of healing old wounds, and possibly seeing a musical reunion maybe?
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
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