There is strength in numbers. No one knows this better than 3LW (Three Little Women), the platinum
award-winning trio that embodies the perseverance of the heroines of the 19th century classic novel
Little Women; and the artistry of historical female groups such as Destinys Child, TLC, and SWV. Although
many of todays female R&B groups suffer from a deficiency of these key artistic elements, 3LWs divine
musical unity prevails. After a four-year hiatus, Kiely Williams (20), Adrienne Bailon (22), and Jessica
Benson (18), are getting reacquainted with their loyalists with their upcoming album which is slated to
relase in 2007,
Although 3LW fans have been fortunate to witness Kiely and Adrienne growing up on the small screen as
Aqua and Chanel in Disney's The Cheetah Girls series, it's the group's latest musical effort that offers
a glimpse into their evolution as artists and maturing women. Moving forward, the ladies enlisted a cadre of
hit-making producers including Jermaine Dupri (Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson), Rich Harrison (Beyonce, Amerie), Dre and
Vidal (Ciara, Destiny's Child), Scott Storch (Mario, Chris Brown), and ATL newcomer Maestro (David Banner,
Dem Franchize Boyz) to bring Return to life.
Kiely,
a New Jersey-native by way of Virginia, infiltrated the industry as a five-year-old toddler co-starring
with Laurence Fishburne in a TV pilot directed by Robert Dinero. Adrienne, who is of Puerto Rican and
Ecuadorian descent, was first exposed to music by her singer/songwriter father. At the tender age of 5,
Adrienne recalls her house being filled with the sound of Latin legends such as Celia Cruz and La Lupe as
well as new jacks Marc Anthony and La India. By the time she was 14 years old, Adrienne was handpicked to
by Latin sensation Ricky Martin to sing back up for his evening performance at New Yorks Madison Square
Garden, after he heard her sing for her church choir during a conference held earlier that day in the arena.
Jessica, the final addition to the trinity, joined the group four years ago. She credits her love of
singing to the time she spent singing in church on Sundays with her family. On a whim and with the
encouragement of her mother, she went to an open audition held in D.C. and became the No. 1 choice to
replace an original member.
