Janelle Monae Talks Gay Rumours & More

Published: Wednesday 7th Jul 2010 by Sam

Break-out star Janelle Monae recently sat down with Rolling Stone magazine. During the candid interview, Monae was quizzed on a number of topics, including the quiet speculation surrounding her sexuality.

Check out what the 24 year old had to say after the jump…

Excerpt via RS:

Monáe’s sci-fi weirdness can feel a bit forced; when asked if she still attends church (she was raised Baptist), she only says, “I attend an Android community church in Metropolis.”

She gives a similar answer when asked about her sexuality (her outré look and penchant for pants over skirts has caused some to wonder if she’s gay). “The lesbian community has tried to claim me,” she says. “But I only date androids. Nothing like an android — they don’t cheat on you.”

But Monáe also believes — quite plausibly — that she will help redefine what’s possible for black female performers. “I’m trying to open doors for girls who look like myself and have been told they can’t sing about this or that,” she says.

In all honesty, suggestion that Ms. Monae was gay is news to me (am I late?). My focus has been on her undeniable talent since she registered on my musical radar not too long ago.

Saying that, the Atlantic Records star seems to be playing the fame game quite well – opting for a showbiz/promotional answer to a potentially controversial question, rather than risking an answer which may alienate an audience. That or she could be dodging the question for ‘other’ reasons. In any case, does it really matter?

Monae’s critically acclaimed sophomore effort ‘The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III)’ is in stores now.

Your thoughts?

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  1. bjksolo July 7, 2010

    WHETHER SHE’S GAY OR NOT HER MUSIC IS STILL HOT!!!!!!!
    ===================================================
    CIARA- BASIC INSTINCTS IN STORES AUGUST 17TH!!!!!!!!!

  2. MIKENBK July 7, 2010

    cool

  3. MIKENBK July 7, 2010

    damn bjksolo . u beat me

  4. Ghetto Fab July 7, 2010

    Instead of worrying about if she’s gay or not how about we buy and listen to her amazing album. Folks are way too caught up with what’s going on with artist’s personal lives these days. I’m not here for that. I don’t care that she’s a lesbian. I ain’t tryna f*** her. She’s not a p*** star so I don’t see why she needs to tell anybody that information. She’s an artist. Listen to the music. If you like it buy it. If not then go away!

  5. MB July 7, 2010

    This is ridiculous, she is NOT gay!!!

  6. FreshUrbanEnt July 7, 2010

    THIS MADE ME SO ANGRY WHO CARES, ALL THAT MATTERS IS IF THE MSUCI IS GOOD!
    WHY ARE PEOPLE SO CONCERNED WITH EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE ACRUAL MUSIC THESE DAYS.

    CHECK OUT MY NEW ENTERTAINMENT SITE >>> http://WWW.FRESHURBANENT.CO.UK

  7. Last Boy on Earth July 7, 2010

    I never heard that rumor but even if it was true, fuckers we need to focus on the music, art, and Janelle is one of the most amazing artists nowadays so please..

  8. Elease Drennen July 7, 2010

    Guys Please Vote for me Elease Drennen on TubeGirlsExposed.com (I will send Pics if you add me on Facebook)

  9. Mr.727 July 7, 2010

    I guess the people wondering if she is gay must wanna lick her p**** !!! Her talent goes why beyond her sexuality !!! I love the answer that she gave, cuz she could have given a half ass answer or try to divert her attention away from the question by sounding all passe, but this girl is going to be the next big thing! Haters continue to stay pressed!!!

  10. bjksolo July 7, 2010

    LOL @MIKENBK
    ========================================================
    CIARA- BASIC INSTINCTS IN STORES AUGUST 17TH!!!!!!!!!

  11. Last Boy on Earth July 7, 2010

    and I loved her answer

  12. DANBOFFICIAL (AALIYAH/XTINA/RIHANNA) (STAN) July 7, 2010

    Always thought this b**** looked like a lesbian, talks like a man, walks like a man, dresses like a man.

    MAN !!!

    *WHO OWNS THE THRONE?*

    *YOU DO MOMMY!*

  13. MIKENBK July 7, 2010

    LMAO @danbofficial … extra rude for no reason .

  14. DANBOFFICIAL (AALIYAH/XTINA/RIHANNA) (STAN) July 7, 2010

    @MIKENBK

    awww truth hurting you sweetie ?

    take a seat B**** !!!

    *WHO OWNS THE THRONE?*

    *YOU DO MOMMY!*

  15. bjksolo July 7, 2010

    OMG TRENT POST DAT NEW CIARA SONG DAT SHYT IS FIYAH!!!!!!!!!!!
    ==========================================================
    CIARA- BASIC INSTINCTS IN STORES AUGUST 17TH!!!!!!!!!

  16. hihihihi TRANSFORMING INTO GOATiiiiiii July 7, 2010

    ITS HER DEBUT ALBUM

    THE OTHER THING WAS AN EP

    STUPID BLOGS

    SECOND TIME I HAD TO CORRECT U TODAY

  17. bjksolo July 7, 2010

    @hihihihi TRANSFORMING INTO GOATiiiiiii
    THEN Y DONT U GO AND MAKE YO OWN DAMN BLOG!!!!!

  18. DANBOFFICIAL (AALIYAH/XTINA/RIHANNA) (STAN) July 7, 2010

    LMAO @ SAMANTHA calling this lesbian a “BREAK OUT STAR”

    she’s had how many worldwide hits ?

    0 did I hear you say ?

    okay I thought so too sweetie.

    *WHO OWNS THE THRONE?*

    *YOU DO MOMMY!*

  19. SWEXY July 7, 2010

    Gay … but boring!

  20. AlexanderTG July 7, 2010

    Her music is good, and its refreshingly different, she’s talented and very good looking. Who the h*ll cares whether she’s gay or not – that’s so totally her own business and nobody else’s. Why is anyone interested in this? – is it that guys have some kind of fantasy that if she isn’t they stand a chance of ‘dating’ her?
    —————————————————————————
    @HIHIHIHI TRANSFORMING INTO GOATIIIIIII
    What’s an EP except a short album? EPs chart with albums. If Metropolis isn’t her debut album then is Fame Monster Gaga’s sophomore album or just an EP? The dividing line is so blurred these days it seems a bit harsh to start getting picky.

  21. FUTURESTARdelux July 7, 2010

    I never actually thought about Janelle being a lesbian but now i have it seems plausible but that was a rumour about Alicia Keys too, maybe they’re Bi.
    I don’t actually care either way to be honest though she is fantastically tallented and is melding all sorts of genre’s into something new and amazing 🙂
    I have er EP and when her album is released in the UK i’m gonna get that too 😛

    ===================================================================

    News that you will not here because of (low rent) Trent is that XTina’s AMAZING album {BIONIC} has ben certified Gold in Australia and the new video for “you lost me” has critics falling over themselves with it’s epicness watch out just like i predicted XTina is gonna snatch them wigs and burn them! you can’t hold her down!

  22. AlexanderTG July 7, 2010

    @FUTURESTARDELUX
    Its also gold in Greece. Have you seen the new video yet – if so where can I sneak a peak?

  23. FUTURESTARdelux July 7, 2010

    @ALEXANDERTG yeah i just read that too! 🙂 no i havn’t seen it yet, they showed a clip but i missed it but apparently it looks REALLY good i know she isn’t gonna mess around with this video after that mess Hype Williams created for NMT.

  24. DANBOFFICIAL (AALIYAH/XTINA/RIHANNA) (STAN) July 7, 2010

    It still baffles me as to why we are getting no Xtina posts ?

    Does trentishinaqua really have that much power over what sam posts here that he wont allow him to post anything about Queentina…..smh……..

    VERYYYYYYYYY shady

    *WHO OWNS THE THRONE?*

    *YOU DO MOMMY!*

  25. Daddy July 8, 2010

    What’s sure is that DANOFFICIAL is gay! lol

  26. JonathanGardnerTV July 8, 2010

    LETOYA LUCKETT? WHERE ARE YOU WHEN I NEED YOU!! I NEED YOUR BAT HONEY!! I NEED TO “SWING BATTA BATTA BATTA” ALL OVER DANBOFFICIAL’s DIMENTED, HATING-ASS HEAD!!!

    THAT ANNOYING B**** IS PISSING ME THE F*** OFF!! ALWAYS HATING ON PEOPLE WHO HAVE, DO AND WILL ALWAYS HAVE W A A A A A A Y BETTER LIVES THAN HIS CRUSTY ASS!!!

    Now…onto Janelle!! Love her and her music! She’s a true artist!! She puts soo much into her music, I love how it isn’t just handed to her like so many “artists” *cough* …I won’t mention names…just gotta take a look at all the “artists” DANBOFFICIAL “stans” for to get a good list 🙂 xxx

    Now “WHO OWNS THE THRONE?” – Clearly not you DANBOFFICIAL (or your “MOMMY” judging by the way she must have brought you up – and don’t say that us other grapejuice viewers don’t know you, because it’s clear that your ENTIRE LIFE R E V O L V E S around hating real “artists” on the internet)

    🙂 God bless 🙂

  27. Seán July 8, 2010

    Just because her chosen attire is a suit, does not make her gay! SMH!

  28. OBI TEXAS July 8, 2010

    When did entertainment become about “who’s sleeping with who?” and not about “dang, he or she is very talented?”

    This needs to change! The fact is that there are many closeted people in this music industry because they know that they could be alienated or sell less records.

    Think about it! If your favorite male R&B singer just came out and said “I’m gay or bi” for real, would you still support them?!

    Everybody wants someone to “come out” just to alienate them and not except them. Until people in the business, especially a business dominated toward a BLACK market, can learn to stop judging, I don’t really blame any of these guys (or women for that manner) for hiding and staying closeted.

    Many people wouldn’t except them so let them continue to feed into your fantasy that they are straight. It’s too bad someone’s sexuality can so strongly affect their career when TALENT is all that matters in the end.

    TRUTH SPOKEN

  29. Lady Gaga’s Invisible Twin Marty July 8, 2010

    Sometimes I swear this girl either does shrooms or smokes weed. That’s really the only explanation I can come up with for some of the things she says. Some of the stuff she writes on twitter and says in interviews just leaves me like “WTF?”

    But i love her nonetheless.

  30. Shelly July 8, 2010

    Her music IS incredible. There’s no debating or discussing that.

    The rest of it doesn’t make a difference. It’s a shame rollingstone even thought to ask about her sexuality. It’s definitely a rumor i ONLY heard from them. SMH – they were late to the JM party anyway. Just now being aware of her talent?! C’mon rollingstone. WAKE UP. Your tardiness says a lot about their credibility now a days…

    Long live good music and the people who enjoy it.

  31. Outta this world!!!!!!!!!!!! July 8, 2010

    @DANBOFFICIAL (AALIYAH/XTINA/RIHANNA) (STAN)

    How old are you? 14 or 15? You seem very immature.

  32. BENJAMIN July 8, 2010

    Yeah, count on Rolling Stone to ask a quation like that, as well as dumb media who analyze the artist’s music instead of their personal lives.

  33. gh_Mikie July 8, 2010

    lmao! “…But I only date androids. Nothing like an android — they don’t cheat on you.” LMAO! thats awesome!

  34. EXPOSED July 8, 2010

    SHE’S THE NEXT ADAM LAMBERT.

  35. DANBOFFICIAL (AALIYAH/XTINA/RIHANNA) (STAN) July 8, 2010

    @DADDY

    siddown sweetie !!!

    *WHO OWNS THE THRONE*

    *YOU DO MOMMY!*

  36. AlexanderTG July 8, 2010

    @EXPOSED
    Sorry, don’t agree, I just think this girl is so, so much more talented than Adam – the style of music, the way she’s put the whole concept together, everything.

  37. veebz July 8, 2010

    I dnt care weather she is gay or not, I just like her music and her stage performance is crazy entertaining

  38. Myway July 8, 2010

    Don’t like her style at all! who cares if she is straight, gay or bi she looks a hot mess and sounds just as bad! Ppl need to stay out of other folks lives like that. Judge ppl for their artistry or lack there of in most cases!

  39. ULISES July 12, 2010

    I think being gay or not doesn’t matter. What I look for is talent. If I like what I hear and see, then I’ll buy your music.

    http://WWW.ULISESWORLD.COM
    “Jungle”- s***, tribal, exotic summer anthem. Don’t click on the link! You’re not ready for it, or are u?

  40. Ian August 6, 2011

    Janelle Monae has raised the bar.How do you categorize a talent so richly diverse and powerful? Good luck to anyone who tries to follow in her footsteps.

  41. jessica June 13, 2012

    I agree with all the positive people. She is a GREAT artist and has so much talent. She will go far and I will follow her till the end. If she gay or not doesnt matter at all. We should focus on the things people do, not who thwy date or like.
    And to those haters out there… you only hate on those who are succesful because you are unhappy with your life.

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