*Fifteen years after an unsuccessful group run, Victoria Monet is reaping solo benefits as a Grammy-winning mover and shaker with famous fans and pride in representing the LGBTQ+ community.
Among those fans is Beyoncé, who shined a light on the 35-year-old singer by recently naming her as one of her favorite artists right now. Less than 24 hours later, Monet found herself trending on social media as someone to watch and listen for
“I woke up to texts from people sending me that screenshot because they know that she’s my absolute favorite. It was just an honor to have her mention me and to have her listening to my music,” she excitedly recalled to The Standard.
She added: “It actually makes me want to be better knowing that she’s listening. I just want to continue to make her proud.”
It’s safe to say that Monet is doing just that. Years after posting a song she wrote for Queen Bey on X (formerly Twitter) in 2018, the Jaguar II entertainer has expanded her list of artists she’s composed hits for including longtime friend and collaborator Ariana Grande, Dirty Money, Chloe x Halle, Nas, Travis Scott, Blackpink, Fifth Harmony and Brandy.
In 2023, Monet cemented her status with a Grammy for Best New Artist for her debut studio album “Jaguar II.” The achievement comes after her initial entry into music with the girl group Purple Reign was not meant to be after it was dropped from its record label before releasing any music.
“There were times when I felt defeated and I would throw little fits. I’d say, ‘Man, I don’t wanna do this anymore,’ but even when I said it it was a lie,” Monet shared. “You’re allowed to have those moments when things get hard as long as you pick back up. It’s about how you get up.”
Although it was a slow and steady climb, Monet did rebound with a buzz on the underground resulting Grammy win. Honing her craft through it all, The Standard notes the wonder of seeing her live and the icon who saw for herself how great Monet is in the flesh during her show in London. Needless to say, the moment was a certified highlight.
“I was near death, probably. I wasn’t supposed to know that she was there before I went on stage, but my security kind of spilled the beans,” Monet said. “He was showing me around where the VIP people would sit and he said, ‘And Janet will sit right there.’ I said, ‘Janet who!?’ She waited and saw me after the show as well, it was amazing.”
Along with the tight choreography and vocals, Monet brings her music to life by bringing her personal vibe, per the embrace of her sensuality via her lyrics, like Jackson.
Unapologetic in bringing sex, redistributing power, and putting women in control of their sexual narratives with her music, the Atlanta-born vocalist admits to being “a bit of a late bloomer” in vocally presenting her sexual side to the masses
“It’s probably coming out now because I’m a bit of a late bloomer. I was super rigid growing up, anything sensual I was a goody-two-shoes, Monet confessed. “Maybe at one point it won’t be the subject at the top of my mind, but right now, I feel liberated to talk about however I feel sensual.”
Liberation for Money came in 2018 when she came out as bisexual. The “On My Mama” singer’s revelation sparked a personal movement where songwriting includes penning tunes about her relationships with women., including ex-girlfriend, and fellow musical stylist Kehlani. For Monet, her bisexuality and status as an LGBTQ+ representative represent only a fraction of her total self. Ideally, she hopes the rest of the world can take that part of her for “what it is” and keep it moving.
“I wish it were more normal. I’m excited to get to a place where it is what it is and doesn’t necessarily have to be a headline or a subject. We can just exist and be accepted as what we are,” Monet told The Standard. “So the question alone kind of shines a light on the perspective that it’s still not completely normalized. In the next few years, I’m hoping it can just be what it is. And I hope that’s the case for a lot of other people too – to be able to be themselves without that being a highlight of their personality or a clickbait type of thing. But for now, I think I’m in a class that is coming into their own and closer to that being the case. Until that day, I’m willing to put my business out there and make it known, so people feel like there is representation for them.”
For more of Victoria Monet’s interview with The Standard, click here.
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