Destiny's Child star Michelle Williams engaged: Who is Chad Johnson?

August 2024 · 7 minute read

Former Destiny's Child star Michelle Williams's boyfriend Chad Johnson liked it, so he put a ring on it. 

The pair announced their engagement on Thursday, though they've been engaged for nearly a month in secret. 

'On March 21, 2018, the love of my life @chadjohnson77 proposed and I said "Yesssssssss.....I will. I will, I will!!!",' she captioned two Instagram photos of her and her man.

Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child is engaged to Chad Johnson after about a year of dating

Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child is engaged to Chad Johnson after about a year of dating

Michelle and Chad have been together for roughly a year. The gospel singer has shared several photos of herself and Chad since they got together, but many fans remain unfamiliar with her beau. 

What do you need to know about Chad Johnson? Here's the scoop.  

Who is Chad Johnson?

He works as a pastor and pro sports chaplain

According to a recent interview, Chad Johnson grew up with a passion for all things religious. He obtained a bachelor's degree in Christian Ministries from Arizona Christian University.

He's found work as a pro sports chaplain, working with athletes on the Arizona Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers and L.A. Dodgers in daily devotionals. 

Chad runs a nonprofit organization that serves urban youth and their families called Elevate International. He met Michelle at a retreat the organization put together for adults in 2017. 

There’s a difference people! Haha �� Now stop tagging me! @chadjohnson77 and @ochocinco

A post shared by C H A D J O H N S O N (@chadjohnson77) on Jan 27, 2018 at 9:17am PST

He's rooted in Phoenix, Arizona 

Although Chad was born in Colorado and grew up splitting his time between there and New Mexico, he's currently calling Arizona home. He moved there for college and has been there ever since. 

He plans to make a move for love, however. Once he and Michelle marry, he'll pack up life in Arizona and move to Los Angeles, California, to be with his bride. 

He's met Kelly Rowland, Beyonce, Jay-Z and Beyonce's mom, Tina Lawson

Michelle was secretive about her relationship with Chad at first, because she 'wanted to treat this relationship differently', but once they made their love official on Instagram, it was time for him to meet her friends.

Chad met Kelly in July and Beyonce and Jay-Z in September at Made in America Festival. He also met Tina Lawson, who's a big fan of them as a couple, at the event.

'This is my newest favorite couple', she wrote on Instagram. 'They are evenly Yoked A fine young man A gorgeous young lady inside and out,' she captioned a photo of the three of them together. 

On March 21, 2018, the love of my life @chadjohnson77 proposed and I said “Yesssssssss.....I will, I will, I will!!!” More of our love story is in the link in my bio from @people!!! Take a walk with us on our journey!! ��: @lizettetrentphotography Styled by: @ericowes Hair and Makeup: @kymmyizabeauty

A post shared by Michelle Williams (@michellewilliams) on Apr 19, 2018 at 9:40am PDT

He's ready to settle down and start a family

Chad's been a family man since he was young. He helped raise two of his nephews and and told People: 'The biggest desire in my life is to have a wife and kids.'  

He told the outlet he's spent much of his adult life too focused on work to build a family, but now that he's with Michelle he's ready.

'I was getting ready to turn 40, she's in her late 30s,' he said. 'Neither of us have been married, had children, and I think you just get to a place sometimes where you're just so career-driven, so focused on what you're doing at the moment, that it's kind of a comfort zone....Both of us were in very similar places on a personal level.'

I used to be so bitter and a hater when Valentine’s Day would come around. I even found myself tweeting things like “Valentine’s Day is for suckers!” Welp....I’m a sucker! The Lord has been kind! ����#HeDatesMe #HeBuildsMeUp #HePraysForMe #HeBelievesInMe #HeLovesMeTheWayIAm #HePlucksMyChinHairs #HeToleratesMyMoodSwings #HeCooksForMe #HeSwagsMeOut #HeKeepsJsOnMyFeet #HeTeachesMeTheWORD #AndTheListGoesOn #YouGetThePicture #BeEncouraged #LoveIsOnTheWayForYouToo #EveryDayIsValentinesDayForUs #LoveIsAnACTIONWord #MyChad

A post shared by Michelle Williams (@michellewilliams) on Feb 14, 2018 at 12:33pm PST

Michelle Williams engagement ring

Michelle Williams's boyfriend Chad Johnson got down on one knee and popped the question with a five-carat engagement ring he bought from Denis Mahgerefteh, according to People magazine.

Chad, who has only been dating Michelle for a year, has been saving up for the ring for more than 10 years. 

'On my 30th birthday, everybody came and celebrated me. The next day, I woke up alone. I was so lonely. I had a little pity party. My personal life was lacking so much and I was living single,' he said. 

'So as a response to that moment, I opened up a ring account, and for 11 years, I put $150 into a ring account.'

He continued: 'Every month I'd put money into that account; I would just say, "My wife's coming; this is for my wife." I did that for 11 years.

'At six, seven, eight years in, I wanted to pull that money out and spend it on a sports car!'  

Chad Johnson ethnicity

Chad Johnson appears to be Caucasian. 

Throwback #1996 ���� #vandamme hair & #michaeljordantuxjacket �� #TBT #goodtimes

A post shared by C H A D J O H N S O N (@chadjohnson77) on Jan 11, 2018 at 6:23am PST

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