By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
It's official.
After months of rumors and speculation, The BV Newswire has confirmed that Jill Scott is headed to splitsville.
The two-time Grammy Award winning neo-soul powerhouse is "going through divorce proceedings" with her longtime lover and husband of five years Lyzel Williams, an insider confirmed.
The two were married in the fall of 2001 during a private Hawaiin ceremony during a vacation.
Williams, who, at the time, was a much an in-demand graphic artist and DJ, dated Scott for seven years before the nuptials took place.
"We went to the club, we hung out, we danced, we shook it up, we drank, we partied," she spoke of Williams in an interview with 'Launch' in 2001. "But we also went to carnivals, and we took long walks. I enjoyed his company so much. I'm glad I can say I'm such, so resoundingly blessed to have him in my life."
He was the source of inspiration for many of her compositions, notably the fan favorite 'He Loves Me (Lyzel In E Flat)' -- which has been reinterpreted by gospel powerhouse Karen Clark-Sheard, and sang onstage by Beyonce Knowles.
Scott concluded a two-night stint at "Verizon Presents Two Nights of Soul" at New York City's Radio City Music Hall last night. The bill also included Robin Thicke and Chaka Khan.
During her near 90-minute set, the newly svelte "legend in the making" (as the evening's emcee Mo'Nique called her) seemed to stuggle through material, skipping songs from the repertoire, and even not remembering the words to her breakout hit, 'Getting in the Way.' She changed the words to 'He Loves Me' to 'You Love Me,' which was performed with an operatic vibratto that sent the audience into a frenzy.
Considered her best friend, Williams became hands-on in Scott's career management, along with her then bodyguard Bill Brown.
Her bookings are being handled by the William Morris Agency, and she is reportedly self-managed.
The 35-year-old North Philadelphia native has a new song, the groovey, hip-hop-tinged manifesto 'Hate on Me,' that has surfaced online, and is expected to tell the story of her divorce in an upcoming cover story for 'Essence' magazine. Scott just wrapped filming Tyler Perry's upcoming movie 'Why Did I Get Married,' which will also star Janet Jackson.
Scott's current publicist Chris Chambers -- who also reps Usher -- said her new album should be expected by the fall.
BV Extras:
Celebrate Black Music Month with Black Voices
Watch Jill Scott's 'Golden' video below ...
Comments: (131)
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By: LISA on 6/15/2007 1:31PM
I'm sorry to hear about Jill divorce if anyone can get through this it's Jill scott. She is uplifting and positive soul. Jill has gotten me through many rough patches just by listening to her music. By the way Jill if you read this you tore the house down at radio city music hall Wednesday it was a great show as usual. This is my fourth time seeing you in concert, and I will be back for a fifth when you come back to NYC keep your head up Jill.
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By: TheQueen on 6/15/2007 1:35PM
I am definitely sorry to see anyone going through a divorce, but quite honestly----my first thought was, "some GREAT music is about to come out of THAT SITUATION!" Jill is the best live performer, who really shows you vocal ability--more than her cd does. So, to hear that she is not doing well in concert makes me feel bad for her, worried about her making it through this tough time. Hang in there, girl! Fans are in your corner!
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By: Christine Stancil on 6/15/2007 1:40PM
I have such a hard time reading these post, because they are split in the middle!
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By: cassandra on 6/15/2007 1:40PM
MS.JILL-
YOU AND YOUR MUSIC ARE AWESOME! MY FAVORITE SONG OF YOURS IS "A LONG WALK AROUND THE PARK". I HAVE IT AS MY RINGTONE ON MY CELL PHONE. JILL, I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST. "SMILE" FOR ME.
PEACE & BLESSINGS,
CASSANDRA
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By: LISA on 6/15/2007 1:43PM
Karu I was at the Wednesday show and Jill performance was excellent like always. I did not see or hear a problem, but honestly Karu jill can sing her ass off and when she went into her operatic vibratto the crowd did go crazy. She is the ella fitz gerald of our time. none of these other r&b chicks I won't mention names has anything on jill this women can really sing.
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By: LeaDee V on 6/16/2007 3:28PM
No disrespect but now days people are getting married to get divorced when those vowels are said it is a done deal til death.i guess they dont realize how important it really means.marriage is for ever but not for everyone.
just make sure you do the right thing.now if he cheated or she cheated then i understand.those vowles came from god.so if you do it make sure you want to be there through whatever because it's not gonna be perfect then again nothing is.
except adultry.
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By: HARPER on 6/15/2007 2:02PM
SHE'S GOING TO BE ALRIGHT,JUST DON'T RUSH TO THE FIRST SET OF OPEN ARMS THAT RUSH IN. YOU ARE SPECIAL AND LOVE IS THERE FOR YOU. GOD FILLED THIS LADY WITH THE GOODS AND THAT'S NO JOKE. STAY STRONG HAPPINESS IS ON THE WAY.
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By: Smilze on 6/15/2007 2:17PM
I am truly sorry to hear about Jill Scott's divorce, she seemed so happy.
Jill is -Blessed- so I know she will get through
this, and move on with her life & career :)
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By: Spirritt on 6/15/2007 2:43PM
God Bless you Jill. Dvorce is not a pleasant thing but sometimes better than a marriage that is over. I have always had a problem with the line "Till death do us part" because people can only speak on how they feel at the moment. Promising the future is not possible. We all want to believe it is forever when we get married but the truth is people come into our lives for a purpose, a reason, and a lesson. When growth happens some people grow in diffrent directions. The key is communication and when we communicate how we feel sometimes feelings and desires change. Letting go is not always sad. The important thing is to remember all the things we loved about our ex's ad move on and try to be friends or atleast cordial. I have never been as happy as I was after my second divorce. Oh and I am not angry with anyone. Jill will handle her business and continue her music. Not only is she talented, she is smart and we can look forward to some awesome music coming out of this.
Rise Jill Gurl just Rise....
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By: Ann Ward on 6/15/2007 2:48PM
Jill you are a wonderful black woman don't let this stop you from making beautiful music.
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