Janelle Monae On How Therapy & Love Helped Her Resolve Anger Issues
Since her debut in 2007, Janelle Monae has made it her mission to be a voice for the voiceless in the most unapologetic way. Her latest project, Dirty Computer, was a three-part project that offered her audience a breath of fresh air from her mysteriously elusive character that she so adamantly maintained in the past. Her latest work gave us a glimpse into her brilliantly masterminded vision of the future, which is of course doused in afro-futurism and flooded in vaginas.
Janelle Monae is black, queer, and here to stay.
The 32-year-old icon recently opened up about her fight against fear and her social obligation as a black woman with a platform in Trump's America. She told Allure that she made the decision to drop her mask and offer in her audience full transparency not for her own freedom, but for the freedom of the voiceless. She said:
"It's about all of us, all the people that at least I feel a responsibility to. I had to pick who I was comfortable pissing off and who I wanted to celebrate."
She said that the album was a direct response to our current leadership and the changes that we've seen under Trump's administration. Initially, Janelle had trouble channeling her emotions because the only thing she could really feel was anger.
"I will say that after this election, I dealt with a lot of anger. I dealt with a lot of frustrations, like many of us, when it came to the nonleader of the free world and that particular regime."
This anger manifested into feelings of animosity and fury because Janelle, like the rest of the black girl sorcery coalition, was tired of living in a society that subscribes to the idea that women are inferior.
Amanda Edwards/WireImage
"I felt it was a direct attack on us, on black women, on women, on women's rights, on the LGBTQIA community, on poor folks. I felt like it was a direct attack saying, 'You're not important. You're not valuable and we're going to make laws and regulations that make it official and make it legal for us to devalue you and treat you like second-class citizens or worse.' I got to the point where I stopped recording because I was just like, 'I'm going to make an angry album.'"
Her anger comes from a place of hurt, a narrative that is familiar among black American women. We live in a society that expects us to master each facet our identity with grace, and our strength is usually measured by how much abuse we can endure without breaking. Monae says that her celebrity does not exclude her from the injustices and crimes that black women face against our humanity every day.
"This is real-life shit that I'm having to deal with. You strip away the makeup, the costumes, and everything you know about Janelle Monáe the artist, and I'm still the African-American, queer woman who grew up with poor, working-class parents. When I walk off a stage, I have to deal with these confrontations. I have to deal with being afraid for my family."
Upon exploring her feelings with a therapist and having a heart-to-heart with Stevie Wonder, she found that the only way to win a war with hate, is to use love as your ammunition. She practiced this theology, and channeled it into her art.
"I was challenged. It's easy for me to just stay angry, but it's harder for me to choose love."
She realized then that her fight was not with government officials, but with fear.
She mastered her challenge in three parts, each detailing the phases from which she evolved to become the afro-futuristic badass that she is today. The three movements compose an "emotion picture" that realistically portray the hopes and fears of the American people today.
Although she understands that she doesn't have the capacity to speak for every member of the black or LGBTQ community, she will fight for the opportunity to support them no matter the cost.
"There's lots of fears that I have about just living openly and freely and criticizing those who are in the position of power. You just never know. You never know what could happen when you are outspoken. It's a risk. It's a risk that I've prayed on and I'm willing to take."
Her consistent advocacy for women is proof that none of us are free until we all are. It's celebrities like Janelle Monae who use their platform to speak about real issues affecting black women that have the power to change the culture, and she isn't done yet.
Janelle made it clear that as long as women of color are under oppression, she will be on the front lines fighting with a powerful weapon in her holster.
"I'm not running to Canada. I'm not leaving. I'm standing here, and I am gonna fight for love."
To read the full interview, click here.
Featured image by Amanda Edwards/WireImage
Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
I Tried The Signature Facial, And It Wasn’t Your Average Facial
My skin has been on the struggle bus lately. Between intense dryness and occasional hormonal breakouts, I don’t know what my skin needs some days. It had been about two months since my last facial when Isabelle McLeod, a licensed esthetician, recommended that I try a signature facial. I have tried several facials that all claimed to be “life-changing.” However, the itinerary for this treatment was more than I ever expected. The facial includes microdermabrasion, dermaplaning, enzyme treatment, extractions, red light therapy, cryotherapy, and a mask. Its mission is to cater to your skin’s needs for the best results moving forward.
I had never seen a facial packed with so many steps and was skeptical about it providing “instant results.” Still, I had booked the appointment in hopes that I would somehow be proven wrong. The beauty world can be full of promises; sometimes, it’s hard to see past glamorized marketing. McLeod welcomed me in her stunning office with open arms. Her energy was graceful and warm. I immediately felt comfortable opening up about my skin struggles as she listened openly. Here are a few of the questions I asked her.
How Often Should You Really Get a Facial?
Affording a facial regularly is a privilege most of us would kill for. I like to look at facials like doctor's or dentist's appointments. Yes, you don’t have to go as often, but you should at least try to shoot for a few times a year. McLeod advocates booking a facial every four to eight weeks, depending on your skin needs. Mcleod says, “If you’re someone who has acne or hyperpigmentation, I typically recommend coming in every four weeks until we can get the skin balanced.”
Regular Facials Don’t Mean Less Care for the Skin.
Even if you get a luxe treatment like the signature facial, we must care for our skin. Having dry skin during the winter months has caused me to be diligent about my skin needs. I expressed this to McLeod as she educated me on the importance of being selective about my skincare products each season. “I am big on using hyaluronic acid; it penetrates the skin well and allows you to achieve the moisture you’re looking for,” says McLeod. She also suggested using the popular skincare product twice a day for those with dryer skin textures. I appreciated this since my skin is mostly dry at night and when I wake up.
Signature Facials Are a Good First Step to Balancing Your Skin.
The signature facial intrigues me because it is dedicated to targeting your skin's needs. I hoped it would combat my dryness and put my hormonal pimple in place. As my consultation with McLeod went further, I wondered if I would need to get the 90-minute facial every time. McLeod's answer was the relief I needed. “We recommend people do the signature facial the first time they come in because it’s consultative, we build a routine for you, and it creates a foundation for healthy skin,” says McLeod. Before I knew it, it was time for me to get cozy and take my first step to having a better relationship with my skin.
CoffeeAndMilk/Getty Images
The Signature Facial Process.
McLeod tackled my skin needs with microdermabrasion first. I felt cozy under a heated blanket as she purged all the build-up in my pores. As the treatment continued, she provided dermaplaning and a cooling enzyme treatment. Both proceeders put me in a deep sense of relaxation. I was nearly about to fall asleep until McLeod informed me it was time for extractions. At the time, I only had one hormonal pimple that needed to be evicted. McLeod proceeded to tackle my breakout and smaller ones I had around my chin and forehead area. The extractions were painful, but knowing she cleared my pores was satisfying.
Once the extractions were finished, my face was on the sensitive side. McLeod soothed my sensitivity by providing a treatment mask and a hot towel now and then. Something about the hot towel put my skin at rest. I relaxed again as she offered a red light treatment to erase unwelcome bumps. At this moment, the battle of the extractions was worth it, and I was excited about the result.
The Results Are Better Than You Think.
I have had my fair share of facials, and not all have been worth the time or the money. The signature facial is worth every penny! When I got up for McLeod’s facial setup, my skin was glowing with intense moisturization. I had some redness from the extraction process. My hormonal pimple had subsided as a result, which was more than enough to satisfy me. As I continued my day, my skin radiated as if I were reborn again. Finally, I found a talented esthetician who could target my hormonal acne and dryness.
My skin did become sensitive, just like McLeod had warned me, as the day turned into night. But hey! What’s beauty without a bit of pain? I made sure to be gentle with my skin by washing it with a calming face cleanser. I also avoided putting any harsh serums (not that it needed any). Opting for a simple hydrating moisturizer was enough to hold my skin for the night. If you want to reboot your skin, I highly recommend the signature facial.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by CoffeeAndMilk/Getty Images