*Janelle Monáe is no stranger to delivering memorable performances, but her tribute to Michael Jackson at the 2025 Grammys has sparked backlash.
Fans were quick to voice their disappointment on social media, calling her impersonation of the King of Pop “cringy.” The 10-time Grammy-nominated artist took on Jackson’s iconic track “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” produced by Quincy Jones, as part of a star-studded tribute to the late music producer that also included performances from legends like Stevie Wonder and Cynthia Erivo.
Monáe nailed MJ’s signature look, sporting a sparkling tuxedo, bedazzled socks, and penny loafers, but it seems that her attempt to channel the music icon didn’t resonate with some viewers. The performance sparked mixed reactions, some viewers were impressed, with one fan calling Janelle “one of the GREATEST and most multi-talented artists this world,” while others called her MJ tribute “underwhelming.”
“Enough time has passed, Janelle Monae needs to never touch another Michael Jackson song again,” another X user wrote.
“Whoever told Janelle Monáe that she was a talented singer and thus made her think she was good enough to cover “Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough” at the Grammys should be indicted for crimes against humanity,” X user Horatio Quartzjixler wrote.
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Janelle Monáe the PERFORMER. PLEASE PUT RESPECT ON HER NAME pic.twitter.com/oINgCBNbyJ
— ✧✶ ★･ˎˊ˗ (@CELESTlALY) February 3, 2025
One person tweeted, “Why do they continuously give this lady a platform. I’ve never met a Janelle Monae fan in real life.”
“This Janelle Monáe MJ performance was DEI,” another critic added.
Check out additional reactions from Twitter users below.
Janelle Monáe don’t ever do no bullshit like this again. We could have gotten Chris Tucker up there if you was gonna play like that #Grammys2025 #grammys pic.twitter.com/9Z4cOGj9lz
— anoceangoddess (@Anoceangoddesss) February 3, 2025
Michael looking at Janelle Monae like pic.twitter.com/X9Io0kDsXZ
— ₙₐₘₐₛₜₑ bₑₐᵤₜᵢfᵤₗ (@ShaysSerenity) February 3, 2025
Janelle Monáe’s moonwalk is flawless. pic.twitter.com/pJDXSlqEPT
— Art Tavana ?? (@arttavana) February 3, 2025
Me watching this Janelle Monáe performance: pic.twitter.com/Usyaxsxl8V
— Tommy Strawn (@GymiHNDRXX) February 3, 2025
Why they got Janelle Monae playing with Micheal Jackson like this ?? pic.twitter.com/7nN9Ac2PP1
— Rizzy (@Visions_ByRizz) February 3, 2025
I think Janelle Monáe is Absolutely & utterly fantastic!!!! She kills EVERYTHING she does! But I would’ve LIVED, love or hate him, if @chrisbrown would’ve done that part of the tribute. He would’ve sang & danced his face OFF in that 3 min performance #GRAMMYs #Grammys2025 pic.twitter.com/8EXPE6iuKy
— Rachelle Leconte (@RachelleLeconte) February 3, 2025
They had Chris Tucker and Chris Brown telephone numbers. But they chose…… Janelle Monae? pic.twitter.com/JdeRfKmXuq
— Blade Brown (@MindOfMickens) February 3, 2025
The Black Delegation would like to address this matter. Janelle Monae should not have performed the MJ song; Chris Brown would have been a better choice. Janelle Monae’s performance was underwhelming, and I find her stiff on stage. The Grammys made a mistake in this matter, and… https://t.co/HoKRY8Pk2v
— ?️lackDeleg?️tionTN⚫️????? (@BlkDelMemphisTN) February 5, 2025
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