
Victoria Monét Says There’s Power In Changing Your Mind: ‘It Starts With Your Mind.’

When talent and hard work meet preparation, you get a star like Victoria Monét. With years of songwriting for artists like Ariana Grande and Chloe x Halle under her belt, the release of her debut studio album: Jaguar II marks a time for Monét to step into her moment.
On a recent episode of The Scottie and Sylvia Show, the Grammy-nominated artist joined the podcast to discuss embracing the new chapter of life she’s in and not compromising her true self to make others comfortable.
“You're born so powerful as a Black woman, and I think sometimes we kind of, or maybe society has kind of taught us to shy away from showing that fully,” she shared on the podcast. “We're almost humbling ourselves and dimming our light to make other people comfortable, and we shouldn’t.”
As a full-range singer, dancer, and songwriter, Monét understands the power of not dimming your light or shrinking in order to fit the mold of the music industry that can often pressure female artists to fit into a box.
In fact, it’s important for the 7 Rings writer to not compromise on showcasing her gifts in the pursuit of fame and outward validation. “Actually, make them uncomfortable, and maybe they’ll be so uncomfortable that they’ll grow themselves,” she says. “It’s not our job to make people comfortable, it’s to make the world a better place and just be truly and infinitely ourselves.”
The power of positive thinking has served along her journey to manifest her current career trajectory. Becoming a mother during the pandemic, navigating label changes, and stepping into the spotlight as a multi-fascinate artist has been a lesson in patience and being present in every opportunity given to her. This is why Monét believes that changing one's mindset, affirming your path, and not ruminating on the “predictable past” are the keys to shaping one’s highest reality.
“If you don't like what you have, you have to change the way you think — it starts with your mind and how you speak,” she explains. “So just starting every morning with positive affirmations because when you say ‘I am’ anything, it directly tells all of the cells in your body to start being that thing.”
“‘I am beautiful, I am smart, I am abundant, I am free.’ All of those things really actually change the way you feel and the way you operate throughout your day,” she adds.
With social media buzzing following the release of her breakout single, "On My Mama" and its music video that pays homage to the Southern hip-hop scene of the early 2000s, Monét ensures that new and day-one fans will be able to connect with the timeless nature of her album.
“Whatever phase you are at in your life, you can find something on this album that you can relate to today,” she says. “I feel like this is what this album is meant to do. It's like in 50 years from now, when you put it on the vinyl player, and you're like, ‘Oh my God, I remember how I felt when I heard this,” because that's exactly how I felt at that moment.”
From stepping into the spotlight to sharing her light through her music, it’s clear that life is imitating art for Victoria Monét's next act. “I would call this chapter ‘the light’ because a lot of it has been shady, dark — some things have happened, but I guess that’s just any industry where a lot of people want to be successful.”
Allow Me To Reintroduce Myself ft. Victoria Monét | The Scottie & Sylvia Show Ep. 8
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Aley Arion is a writer and digital storyteller from the South, currently living in sunny Los Angeles. Her site, yagirlaley.com, serves as a digital diary to document personal essays, cultural commentary, and her insights into the Black Millennial experience. Follow her at @yagirlaley on all platforms!
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Celebrate International Women's Day With Wellness, Empowerment & More
International Women’s Day, celebrated on Saturday, March 8th, presents an excellent opportunity to honor and celebrate women. As March marks Women’s History Month, there are numerous chances throughout the month to pay tribute to the remarkable contributions of women.
Both International Women's Day and Women's History Month serve as reminders of the progress made toward gender equality and the work still left to do.
They inspire ongoing advocacy for women's rights, fostering discussions on issues such as workplace discrimination, healthcare access, and representation in leadership. By celebrating women's contributions and amplifying their voices, these observances help pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.
Here are four ways to celebrate International Women's Day and Women's History Month.
Attend a Women History Month Event
This month, there are numerous events happening, particularly for International Women’s Day. One such event is organized by Media Girls Network, which will be held over a multi-day period starting on Thursday. The entire event is dedicated to celebrating women.
On Friday, the organization will honor prominent women in business and entertainment, including the OMG Girlz, celebrity restauranteur Gocha Hawkins, and more.
"Women Making History Weekend is more than just an event—it’s a movement celebrating the powerful contributions of women across industries," says Jelisa Raquel, partial organizer of Women Making History ATL. "We’re creating spaces where women are seen, honored, and empowered to continue breaking barriers. From Atlanta City Hall to our upcoming takeovers in Detroit (March 14-16) and Houston (March 28-30), we’re making history in every city we touch. Get ready for an unforgettable experience filled with recognition, inspiration, and community!"
On Saturday, guests can indulge in a day of wellness and self-care, featuring a fitness class, massages, a journaling workshop, and other activities. For more information about these events, visit www.mediagirlsontour.com.
Support a Woman-Owned Business
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Reports indicate that women constitute 39.1% of business owners, and this percentage is steadily rising. In light of this, let’s celebrate and support women-owned businesses this month.
Here are a few ways to do so: shop at their establishments, leave positive reviews, follow and engage with them on social media, collaborate with them, or contribute to their crowdfunding efforts.
Support Women's Rights Groups
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Since President Trump took office, we’ve witnessed an unprecedented number of rights being reversed, including DEI programs. Women have been particularly concerned about his decision regarding abortion and reproductive rights. Recently, he dismissed the Idaho Emergency Abortion case, which was a legal battle to ensure Idahoans had access to emergency abortion care.
Writing in her Substack blog, Abortion, Everyday, journalist and abortion rights advocate, Jessica Valenti, said, “By dropping this case, the Trump administration is sending a clear message that anti-abortion states don’t have to adhere to [the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act] by giving pregnant patients life-saving care.”
Instead of waiting on Trump's next move regarding women's rights, support women's rights organizations and charities like In Our Own Voice Action Fund and Planned Parenthood.
Empower Others
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Use your voice to raise awareness about the challenges women encounter. This can be achieved through social media platforms or by speaking at local rallies and events. By leading by example, you can inspire others to get involved and contribute to the support.
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