Naturi Naughton’s New Album Will Cover Being ‘Ousted’ From 3LW
Power‘s Naturi Naughton recently chatted with People and opened up about her “tumultuous” split from 3LW. The 36-year-old actress and singer told the publication that her upcoming album, which she’s currently working on, will explore “some of the feelings I had after being ousted” from the trio. When Naughton was 15-years-old, she was a member of 3LW alongside Adrienne Bailon Houghton and Kiely Williams.
The girl group catapulted to fame in the early 2000s and is most known for their hits “No More” and “Playas Gon’ Play.” In 2002, Naughton left the pop group, and she told MTV at the time that her exit was due to management, growing tension between the members, and an alleged food fight that left her feeling “physically abused.”
3LW, at the launch of, ‘Gotham’ magazine, at Cipriani, West 42nd Street, New York City, Thursday March 1st, 2001. Photo: Nick Elgar/ImageDirect
Prior to Naughton leaving the group, the trio put out the albums 3LW and A Girl Can Mack. “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 explained.
Music group “3LW” arrives at the 2000 Billboard Music Awards December 5, 2000 at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Chris Weeks/Liaison)
Naught and her former group members aren’t close anymore. However, she and Bailon Houghton made amends a few years ago. During a 2017 episode of The Real, Bailon Houghton apologized to Naughton for the way things ended. “I genuinely from the bottom of my heart never meant any harm towards you. I think you’re talented and beautiful,” she said.
While Naughton was attending Seton Hall, she got her big break while starring in Hairspray on Broadway. Following her Broadway stint, she transitioned into acting, later garnering the role of Tasha St. Patrick on Power. Now, following six seasons and the spinoff Power Book II: Ghost (which premiered on Sept. 6), Naughton is returning to her first love: music.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JULY 26: (L-R from top) Naturi Naughton, Joseph Sikora, Rotimi, Michael Rainey Jr., Larenz Tate, Courtney A. Kemp, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Omari Hardwick and Lela Loren of ‘Power’ speak onstage during the Starz segment of the Summer 2019 Television Critics Association Press Tour at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 26, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images)
The singer says that her forthcoming album will be “R&B fused with a little bit of that hip hop, swag but done in a way where we can turn up and still hear real music… I want to bring back that ’90s era vibe with people really singing. I’m excited to just tell my story through song because a lot the songs I d talk about feelings I had after being ousted from 3LW.”
Naughton is working with producer Troy Taylor on the project, whom she refers to as the “Mayor of R&B.” Taylor has worked with Naughton’s idol Whitney Houston and other artists, including Trey Songz.
“I knew that I wanted to be a star, and she [Whitney Houston] was a Black woman who was from where I’m from. She really moved me to think, ‘Wow this is possible,'” Naughton said of the late legend. Naughton’s new upcoming album doesn’t currently have a release date.
