Janelle Monaé has never been an artist to confine herself to one look or one genre, expressing herself as she's seen fit throughout the course of her career. It's not surprising that she refuses to live by the standards of normalized society, as she shared with Rolling Stone magazine last year that when it comes to her sexuality, she doesn't label herself.
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Her openness has made the singer a target for critics, but overall the response to Monaé's vulnerable admission has been welcoming, especially within the queer community. Last night she rocked the Coachella stage in Indio, California, but before she performed in front of thousands of adoring fans, she sat down with Lizzo who interviewed her for them. magazine. Monaé discussed her sexual fluidity and what that means to her as she learns more about herself as the years go on.
"It's been a journey," she says. "For me, sexuality and sexual identity and fluidity is a journey. It's not a destination. I've discovered so much about myself over the years as I've evolved and grown and spent time with myself and loved ones. That's the exciting thing — always finding out new things about who you are. And that's what I love about life. It takes us on journeys that not even we ourselves sometimes are prepared for. You just adapt to where you are and how you've evolved as a free thinking person."
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Monaé also gave advice to those who are struggling with their sexual identity or with coming out to friends and family. "Don't allow yourself to feel any pressure other than the pressure you put on you," she said. "And I think there's so much power in not labeling yourself. That said, there's also power in saying "This is how I identify,” and having community with the folks you identify with. Everyone is on a journey of self-discovery, and those of us who may not understand others’ journeys should be more empathetic and tolerant and supportive.
Monaé continued, "A big thing for me is just being patient with myself, and not allowing myself to make decisions based in fear, or a fear of people not understanding me. And it's hard. You go through experiences where you feel fearful, and you end up being depressed, or having anxiety, and not taking care of you. But that fear should not get in the way of how you love or who you love."
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