As has been evidenced over her last few interviews, R&B stageblazer Normani is clearly in album prep mode.

Following her critically acclaimed, commercially panned debut solo project ‘Dopamine‘ (2024), the songstress temporarily gave fans hope she would be reuniting with her former group Fifth Harmony for a new project.

But, if a recent chat with ‘Variety’ is anything to judge by, that plan seems to be getting put on hold in light of updates surrounding Mani’s highly anticipated sophomore effort.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by That Grape Juice (@thatgrapejuice)

Ahead of rocking the stage as one of the scheduled performers at Variety’s ‘Power of Women’ on Wednesday (September 23), Normani stunned on the event’s red carpet in a sleek, form-fitting, Dsquared2 black gown with a slit.

Chatting it up with the mag’s resident anchor, the 30-year-old spoke glowingly about her upcoming musical venture while reflecting on the journey to get to it.

“I never want to feel like I’ve arrived. I feel like I’m ten steps behind if I ever get to a point where I stop learning and allowing myself the opportunity to grow…that’s what this next project is going to be all about” Normani said of her career so far before sharing, “I’m not going to say too much, but I’m very excited; I’m in a very great place!”

As for a tentative release date, the ‘Dancing with a Stranger’ diva danced around the answer but still gave her dedicated fans (affectionately called the #NormaniNation) something to whet their appetites.

“Exciting things…lots of new beginnings,” she said with a smile. “[It’s] like right around the corner.”

The yet-titled LP would come as the long-awaited successor to the June 2024-released ‘Dopamine,’ home of fan-favorite singles ‘Wild Side’ and ‘Candy Paint.’

Bonus: Check out Mani’s rocking acoustic performance of her 2019 debut solo single ‘Motivation‘ at the ‘Power of Women’ event.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by That Grape Juice (@thatgrapejuice)

Your thoughts?