Michelle Williams says she was depressed and 'suicidal' in Destiny's Child

Michelle Williams has revealed how she suffered from depression when she was a member of Destiny's Child.

She says being part of one of the biggest girl-groups of all time left her feeling "suicidal".

Michelle was a member of the group between 2000 and 2005, alongside Beyonce and Kelly Rowland.

And she says Beyonce's dad, Matthew Knowles (who was also the group's manager), was unable to understand why she was struggling.

"For years, I'm in one of the top-selling female groups of all time suffering with depression," said Michelle on US TV show, The Talk.

"It got really really bad, to the point of being suicidal."

Michelle joined Destiny's Child in 2000 but said she was "sad" during her time in the group

Michelle says she told Matthew Knowles about her problems, but he was unable to understand why she would be depressed as they had recently signed a multi-million record deal.

She says he asked her if perhaps she was just "tired".

"He wanted me to be grateful, which I was, but I was still sad," she added.

"I was at that place where it got so dark and heavy because sometimes you feel like 'I'm the provider, I take care of people, I'm not supposed to be feeling this way - what do I do?'

"I wanted out."

Michelle told the TV show she had been inspired to speak out by Demi Lovato, who has been open about her own mental health problems.

Jokes about "Poor Michelle" are still made on Twitter 12 years after the group split

Michelle joined Destiny's after original members LaTavia Roberson and LaToya Luckett left the band in 2000.

But during her time in the group, she became the butt of jokes and memes about "Poor Michelle".

More than 10 years after the group split, jokes about not wanting to be "the Michelle" among a group of girls are still common on social media, and was even referenced on HBO's hit TV show Insecure.

Since the group split, Michelle has released four solo albums, won Mobo awards, appeared on Strictly Come Dancing and starred in lead roles on stage including The Colour Purple, Chicago and Aida.

Find us on Instagram at BBCNewsbeat and follow us on Snapchat, search for bbc_newsbeat