Lucy Liu Reflects on Being Namedropped in Destiny's Child's 'Independent Woman,' Jokes She's 'a Part of History' (Exclusive)

Staff AuthorSun, April 26, 2026 at 2:30 PM UTC

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Lucy Liu in 2025, Kelly Rowland (left), Beyoncé (center) and Michelle Williams (right) in the 'Independent Women, Part 1' music video.Credit: VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty; Destiny's Child/YouTube -

Lucy Liu reflects on being name-dropped in Destiny's Child's hit song "Independent Women, Part 1" in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE

The girl group released the song to support 2000's Charlie's Angels, starring Liu, Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz

Destiny's Child — made up of members Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams — later included the track on their 2001 album Survivor

Lucy Liu loves being a part of "history."

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the actress, 57, reflects on being name-dropped in Destiny's Child's hit song "Independent Women, Part 1," and how the song, released in the late 1990s, is still a fan-favorite to this day.

"I guess it means you're a part of history," Liu says with a smile.

"Independent Women, Part 1" was recorded by Destiny's Child — composed of members Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams — for 2000's Charlie's Angels, and it was later also included on the girl group's 2001 album, Survivor.

The track opens with a nod to Liu and her Charlie's Angels costars, Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz, with Beyoncé, 44, singing, "Lucy Liu / With my girl, Drew / Cameron D. and Destiny / Charlie's Angels, come on."

"I think it's incredible to have that value that was connected to Charlie's Angels," Liu tells PEOPLE, referring to the song, which held the number-one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for eleven consecutive weeks, and the action movie.

In Charlie's Angels, Liu, Barrymore, 51, and Diaz, 53, star as three women working in a private detective agency. It marked a continuation of the television series of the same name that ran from 1976 to 1981, starring Kate Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and Jaclyn Smith.

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Drew Barrymore (left), Cameron Diaz (center) and Lucy Liu (right) in 'Charlie's Angels.'Credit: Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty

Liu's lead role in the movie marked a groundbreaking moment for Asian representation in Hollywood.

"For me, my pride is knowing that my character was able to change the visual aspect of what Americana was, and to create that image that led the way for all other people," she says.

According to Liu, she has often heard "Independent Women, Part 1" played in public throughout the more than two decades since the tune was released.

"I've heard that song so many times in different places," the star — who is working with Pfizer for the company's Every Breakthrough Matters campaign —says.

Lucy Liu in April 2026.Credit: John Nacion/Variety via Getty

She adds that sometimes she even wonders if hearing the song was a deliberate action taken by another. "Was it already in the mix, or did someone just put that on because I happened to show up in the restaurant? I don't know," Liu says.

"Either way, it's such a wonderful song. And as soon as you hear the beat, you know what's coming," the mother of one continues. "You get into the mode, and it kind of transports you. That's the beauty of music."

on People

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”