Latto On Manifesting Motherhood: 'I'm Not Going To Feel Like I Made It For Real Until I Have Kids, I'm Married'
Rapper Alyssa "Latto" Stephens is baring her soul like never before by offering a glimpse into her love life and unveiling her aspirations of becoming a mother.
The 24-year-old rose to fame in 2016 after winning the first season of Lifetime's competition series The Rap Game, produced by Jermaine Dupri. Immediately following the show, Stephens would continue to release music and landed her big break in 2019 with "B--h from da Souf." The track ultimately earned the emcee her first entry on Billboard's Hot 100 charts in 2020.
That same year, Stephens released her debut album Queen of da Souf. Since then, the lyricist's stardom has only skyrocketed from there after dropping her second studio album, 777, in 2022. The album featured her Grammy-nominated single "Big Energy" and "It's Givin."
At the height of her success with her recent track "Put It On Da Floor," Stephens sat down with Cosmopolitan magazine for the publication's Skin Issue cover story. In the June interview, Stephens revealed why she keeps her relationship away from the spotlight and why she considers motherhood the most significant achievement.
Latto On Keeping Her Relationship Private
Although there are few details surrounding the "Muwop" rapper's romantic partner, news outlets report that Stephens is dating fellow rapper 21 Savage and has been for years. (Last weekend, 21 Savage brought out Latto and Cardi B during his performance at Hot 107.9’s Birthday Bash in Atlanta.)
Despite the claims, neither party has addressed the rumors. In the discussion with Cosmopolitan, Stephens shared that she doesn't publicly talk about her relationship or disclose her boyfriend's identity because it's something she wants to keep sacred.
"If something is special to me, I'm going to keep it close to me because everything else has to be front and center about my life," she said.
When asked if Stephens ever thought about having her partner see her perform onstage, "The Biggest" lyricist explained that although it has crossed her mind a few times, she values her privacy a lot more.
"I be thinking that, but my privacy is more important. I can't have people putting two and two together," she stated. "This is the longest relationship I've ever been in."
Latto On Motherhood
As the topic shifted to motherhood, Stephens revealed that she can't wait to experience that next chapter in her life because of its impact.
Stephens added that she idolizes motherhood so much that she constantly watches TikTok videos about mothers and finds opportunities to spoil friends and family members with children by purchasing lavish gifts.
"I want to be a mom so bad. Let me tell you, I think moms are superheroes. Man, I literally idolize motherhood. Like, with Mother's Day, I get all my friends that have kids, my grandmas, my aunties, cousins, anyone who's a mom around me, I send them flowers and gifts. I don't play," she said.
"I send my assistant to Chanel to get, like, 10 bags for everybody I know. I'm obsessed. My TikTok algorithm is all moms talking about their experiences and packing like, 'Get ready with me.' Moms cleaning up after their kids. It's so weird."
Further into the interview, Stephens disclosed that despite all the professional success she has accomplished over the years, she still feels like she has yet to reach her greatest potential, at least in her personal life.
"I'm not going to feel like I made it for real until I have my kids, I'm married, I just got my house out in the country, and I'm just ducked off with my little family," she said.
Stephens wrapped up her remarks by praising other female artists, including Rihanna, Cardi B., and Yung Miami, for showcasing that motherhood doesn't hinder one's career and inspiring her when she decides to become a mother.
"That's why I love RiRi down. Cardi did it too. And Yung Miami. I feel like they kind of supersede the stigma that it's over for women when you have a baby—like your career is over," she stated. "They give me inspiration for real. They make me feel like I can do it too one day when the time is right, you feel me?"
Feature image by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images
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.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage
