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Photo: Erica Snyder; Wardrobe: Balenciaga dress, Bulgari jewelry.
Victoria Monet's music used to be fluid. Her voice flowed in rich, honeyed waves that seamlessly transitioned into sensual rhythms and orchestral symphonies. Her new music, however, soars. This perfectly suits the image of a former jaguar who, in her words, has traded her claws for butterfly wings.
The sugar-sweet voice I've heard her belting out "On My Mama" a million times on the radio and at glittering New York City parties greets me during a brief hour of free time in early May. I hesitate to even call it that, as it's the only time she could find during a busy rehearsal day. We've already rescheduled everything to accommodate her dancers' schedules, as their "Romantic Tour" with Bruno Mars is about 40 days away, and Monáe will be joining him this month in Saint-Denis, France. You see, the singer-songwriter (and recent culinary school graduate!) has been constantly on the move since winning three awards at the 2024 Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist, but if you've been wondering where she's been for the past two years, she doesn't blame you.
Photo: Erica Snyder; Wardrobe: Dress by Nia Thomas, jewelry by Bulgari.
Newcomers to Monét's musical universe, buckle up. The star spent over 15 years in the industry, much of it writing hit songs and frequently collaborating with stars like Ariana Grande, Chlöe x Halle, and Fifth Harmony, before dedicating herself to a solo career. Six studio albums, 26 singles, and 36 award nominations later, we meet Monét in a metamorphosis, as she sheds the weight of expectations, awards, and time constraints, opening a new chapter in her story.
I met this multifaceted personality just a few days after her 37th birthday, which Monet used as a launching pad for a new, squeaky-clean chapter in her life. She also celebrated the occasion on her social media by deleting all photos taken before May 1st (Taurus rising!) from her Instagram profile—yes, even photo evidence of her iconic awards. This sends a subtle but powerful message that no one needs to see her resume to appreciate her worth. They just need to see her. Now .
Photo: Erica Snyder; Wardrobe: Balenciaga dress; Bulgari jewelry
I ask her about the sudden change in her social media activity. It usually means one of two things: a new album or a terrible breakup. Luckily for devoted fans of Monáe's music, it's the former—an album. She tells me it's "the longest album she's ever released," with a release date and title so set in stone that even I couldn't get her to change her mind. However, fans got a taste of what's to come thanks to her soulful single "Let Me," which became the most-added song on R&B radio in its first week.
«"I wanted to start over, using my birthday as a jumping-off point," she explains in her irresistibly soft voice. Monét's goal is for listeners to understand the world of her upcoming album before they even step inside. It's a world imbued with monochrome nostalgia—inspired by childhood memories of dancing in front of her grandmother's analog TV in Mobile, Alabama—and reflects her new outlook on life. After three Grammy Awards, the world began to see you differently, and she quickly realized that wasn't always for the better.
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While the singer-songwriter took these coveted awards as confirmation that she was truly on the right path ("It's a peer-voted award," she notes), Monáe was disappointed by the aftermath of that career-changing evening. "When you have an award like that, people often look for an excuse to discredit why you won it," she says, almost whispering, her soft voice tinged with longing. It's the old story of supporting others until your achievements expose their own insecurities. "Once you reach the top, another group of people comes along and questions your deservingness," she continues. Monáe discovered that it really is lonely at the top.
Photo: Erica Snyder; Wardrobe: Balenciaga dress; Bulgari jewelry
Despite the online buzz, the award brought a huge sense of personal pride and attracted media attention, so a plethora of new opportunities soon opened up for the singer. However, the recording studio was extremely rare. "After the Grammys, I was so busy that I hardly went to the studio, which I don't like," says Monáe. Her life quickly devolved into a series of rehearsals, as she oversaw preparations for the music festival and devoted every free minute to press meetings, interviews, and performances at events. "I waited so long for these opportunities that my team said yes to everything," she explains. The artist doesn't blame anyone; it was a lesson for everyone. But ultimately, this period sucked her into the marketing maelstrom and distracted her from what had earned her those awards in the first place.
«That’s one of the reasons why this album took so long,» she explains. «I think if [the Grammy Award] came my way again, I’d do the opposite and lock myself in the studio,» she muses, imagining life after what I’ll call it for now. Victoria Monét 7. She describes this content-creation part of her career as ongoing and, by her own admission, alien to what she thinks the music industry should look like. «But I’m ready because I want my music to reach as far as possible,» she tells me. Her voice briefly betrays the tenacity it takes to work for years to finally become a crowd favorite. She calls her upcoming album, which I’m told will be released later this year, her own. Thriller — similar to Michael Jackson's genre-defying sixth studio album. Coincidentally, I just came back from devouring the film to the last drop. «"Michael"» starring the star's nephew, Jafar Jackson, over a huge bowl of popcorn, just like in the cinema, so naturally I started asking her for more details.
Photo: Erica Snyder; Wardrobe: David Koma dress; Wolford tights; Magda Butrym shoes; Bulgari jewelry.
«"When he was working on Thriller , »He wanted to go beyond what people might imagine,« she continues. The artist cites Jackson’s next steps in genre-blending—experimenting with yacht rock and other contrasting themes to move beyond R&B—as one of the driving forces behind her new project. “The album doesn’t have clear boundaries, so there will be moments that sound more unexpected, but also moments that feel like a natural extension.” Jaguar »to this day,” she adds.
This is evident in the seven tracks I listened to from the password-protected vault: they are adorned with vintage guitar and violin strings, spiced with synths, and enveloped in sweet, seductive vocals. The nostalgic, orchestral opening track reminds me of grainy VHS tapes and dancing Disney princesses—a nod to her Southern grandmother's living room, the birthplace of many of Monáe's early musical references. «"Chiti-Chiti-Bang-Bang"» , «The Sound of Music» и «Mary Poppins» were constant hits in her grandparents' home, which ultimately played a role in the development of the singer's music and style. The world would soon see the nostalgic influence of Dorothy Dandridge's glamorous photographs, costumes from "Singing in the Rain"« and choral performances «Mr. Holland's Opus, forming a new chapter in Monet's work.
«"The jaguar is always alive within me, but now I feel like a softer version of myself," she explains. "My claws are retracted, and I don't growl. I've become calmer. I constantly think about the caterpillar… and the metamorphosis, the complete release of self that must occur for it to become a butterfly.".
Photo: Erica Snyder; Wardrobe: David Koma dress; Wolford tights; Magda Butrym shoes; Bulgari jewelry.
The synergy Monáe feels with Jackson and other references to her childhood was more than just a catalyst (or rather, a chrysalis?) for her new work. It was a wake-up call. The artist realized she was on the cusp of something great, but ultimately, she needed to shed some layers to move forward and continue growing as an artist and a person. «That’s what this year is about: spiritual growth,» she explains. «It’s about becoming a better person while I’m here… [and] making sure I have enough strength and mental capacity to handle the stresses that the next chapter of my life will bring. I’m asking for more, so [I’m] making sure I’m ready for more.».
The theme of spiritual and personal growth ran throughout the songwriting process and gradually permeated the project itself. "[This album] feels much clearer, purer," she explains. This clarity allowed her to practice self-love, give it to others ("even to those who don't really deserve it," she muses), and weave it into every beat of the music. I mean that literally. She infused healing frequencies into some of the melodies to achieve harmony. You could think of these upcoming tracks as a modern take on "Ring My Bell," the 1979 Anita Ward hit that went viral on TikTok thanks to its 432 hertz frequency—considered by many to be an uptempo song for attracting abundance. Monáe herself believes this, having once danced under a lunar eclipse while listening to Ward's hit in her bedroom.
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As if being a singer, songwriter, Grammy Award winner, and mother (yes, Monét has an adorable 5-year-old daughter) weren't enough accomplishments to boast about, she's decided to add another—this time in a completely different industry. After graduating with honors from the Institute of Culinary Education in Pasadena, California, this spring, she can officially call herself Chef Monét. Among her new projects are hosting lavish brunches and dinner parties for friends, featuring fried chicken and caramelized waffles, French omelets with scallions, and date pie with bourbon ice cream.
Photo: Erica Snyder; Wardrobe: Magda Butrym dress; Wolford tights; Stuart Weitzman shoes; Bulgari jewelry.
«I’ve always wanted to do this,» she replies when I ask what prompted her to take on this new endeavor. «Last year was so emotionally crazy for me that I started to consider it, but I’d always take the first step and then immediately back down.» Eventually, the star finally took the plunge. «I said, „Screw it!“» she exclaims with a laugh. «I went on a tour of the culinary school and started telling them about the requirements, including the internship you have to complete to graduate. And a couple of days later, Teyana Taylor texted me that she was going to culinary school, and I was like, „Wait, what? You too? I’m going too!“» It’s like freshman year of college.
While I lack Monáe's culinary prowess, I experienced the phenomenon of "mind wandering," described in a paper by University of Virginia psychology associate professor Zachary Irving, while chopping vegetables. Essentially, these are those brilliant, crystal-clear ideas that seem to fall from the sky once your mind settles during monotonous work. Since some of my best opening lines and song ideas have come to me while chopping cucumbers, I ask if culinary school helped me with the songwriting process for her upcoming album, or even helped me overcome writer's block. Unsurprisingly, she says yes.
«"Actually, one of the songs for my album came to me while I was baking cookies," she says with a smile. The baking itself became a meditative experience for her: she listened to music while cooking and hummed a melody while holding the pan over an open flame. "Food and music—they're all connected," she says. But as for songwriting in general, Monáe found the process entirely connected to her ego.
Photo: Erica Snyder; Clothing: Top and pants by AWAKE Mode; Jewelry by Bulgari
«"The opposite of writer's block for me is letting go of the ego: simply looking within and letting go of all the 'bad' stuff—bad melodies, bad songs, bad lyrics—and not judging yourself for it," she reflects. Whether in the kitchen or the studio, Monáe has learned to trust her abilities, and this includes the initial cleansing process necessary for every songwriting session. "Eventually, you'll come up with songs you like, but you have to do it without ego," she adds.
At this stage of her career—marked by graduation caps, Grammy Awards, and a growing daughter—you'll see plenty of Instagram comments like "Queen of Side Hustles!" under the star's social media posts. While Monáe has no plans to stop there (her future plans include massage, gardening, and studying ancient Chinese medicine), one thing will always remain constant: family. The star's daughter, Hazel, a kindergarten student despite her small stature, has also achieved success: this energetic, button-headed girl made history as the youngest Grammy nominee at age 2 when her mother's song "Hollywood" was nominated for Best Traditional R&B Song in 2024.
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Although her daughter Monét has achieved a goal most musicians never achieve in a lifetime, the star is leaving her daughter's future in her own little hands. "Just yesterday, I was looking at a piece of paper she brought home from school saying she wanted to be a dentist when she grew up, and that was the first time I'd heard that," Monét says with a bright laugh. "But she also wanted to be a hairdresser, a singer, a scientist. She does jiu-jitsu. She plays the piano. She loves dancing—she's in my rehearsal right now. As soon as she arrives, she's posing in front of the mirror, dancing, choreographing, and telling people what to do." She got that from her mom, didn't she?
Photo: Erica Snyder; Clothing: Top and pants by AWAKE Mode; Jewelry by Bulgari
Monáe's relationships have long been the subject of much speculation, but at this stage in her life, the artist approaches romance wisely. "It's really hard," she says in response to my question about dating as a successful woman. "First, it's hard to attract someone who understands this lifestyle, and second, it's hard to maintain it. So I'm focused on my daughter, myself, and what's next for me, because in a relationship, I also put the other person first." That's as it should be, she says, but with an upcoming tour, a busy child, and a forthcoming album, there are only so many hours in the day. Still, she wouldn't turn down a nice date.
Overall, Monet's main wish is for her daughter to have a shining example of how a mother can achieve her goals, pursue hobbies, get excited about new things, and more. "I'm just trying to show [Hazel] that she's truly Maybe "I just push through it, and show her how to do it, even when it's hard, or when you're sleep-deprived, or when you don't like your job, or whatever," she explains, her voice shaking slightly. "I just push through it and show her how to do it, not just in words.".
While artists, especially women, are taught to measure their talent by the number of awards they win, Monáe took care to rethink her approach to success and make it much healthier long before this new chapter began, ensuring she doesn't "live and die" by awards. "I'd love to win another Grammy and feel like a musician for musicians, but I also want to make sure that if it doesn't happen, I don't feel less empowered, less supported, or less successful," she explains. "I'm just learning a new way to detach from certain things and grow, but ultimately with love.".
Photographer: Erica Snyder Stylist: Dion Davis Hairdresser: Davonte Washington Visagiste: Diana Shin Manicure: Coca Michelle Creative Director: Amy Armani Production designer: Lucy Holt Entertainment Director: Jessica Baker Producer: Erin Corbett