Janelle Monae is on the cover of InStyle‘s third Badass Women issue, out on newsstands on July 19.
Here’s what the 33-year-old musician had to say…
On redefining the music industry: “I’ve always wanted to redefine what a cool young black woman looks like in the music industry. I was never interested in fitting into a system that wasn’t built for me or with me in mind. I’m interested in burning that s–t down and building something new.”
On embracing her uniqueness: “Embracing your uniqueness is an active choice. I don’t wake up looking flawless every morning. I don’t wake up feeling empowered. I don’t wake up feeling fearless. I have to actively choose to feel that way.” She adds with a laugh, “I’m like Issa Rae in Insecure, like, ‘Bitch, keep it together!’”
On coming out as pansexual: “I talked to my mom and dad first, and my mom, in particular, had a lot of questions. I said, ‘Mama, the only way that I can create art is to truthfully tell my story. It has to come from an honest place, and this is who I honestly am. I don’t know any other way. I have to talk about my sexuality. I have to talk about my blackness. I have to talk about my womanness. I have to talk about these things. This is who I am as a person.’”
For more from Janelle, head to InStyle.com.
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