Janelle Monáe is back on stages across the nation as they continue to promote their latest studio album, The Age Of Pleasure, which came after a steamy video for the project’s lead single. Janelle Monáe is once again the topic of discussion after they flashed their right boob during the 2023 Essence Fest, which sparked some comments from other entertainers and observers.
Janelle Monáe, 37, rocked the Essence Fest stages over the weekend back by a troupe of dancers in what looked to be a spirited performance. For years, Monáe kept their physical frame largely from the public view but has shown flashes of themselves in revealing attire as well. According to some, Monáe’s embrace of nudity and expression seems like it came out of left field but fans of the entertainer know otherwise.
During Essence Fest, Monáe took a moment to lift up their bikini top and showed off their right breast with the nipple portion covered with a sparkling tassel. This adds to Monáe’s recent run of baring their breasts during concerts and leaning deeply into the concept of the new album. While most people are appreciative of Monáe’s expression, their recent actions have prompted some harsh criticism from some of their peers.
Singer India Aire took to social media to seemingly throw a subtle shot towards Monáe and Megan Thee Stallion and there are reports that Uncle Luke of 2 Live Crew fame also had something to say. As it stands, acts like Janelle Monáe, Megan Thee Stallion, and others who promote sexuality on their terms are ruffling feathers.
We’ve got related reactions to Janelle Monáe and the boob flash below. Because of the nature of the video, we won’t post it in the body of this text but it can be found here.
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Photo: Paras Griffin / Getty
1.
It’s interesting seeing peoples disdain for Janelle Monae, simply because they came into the game wearing tuxedos, and is now revealing their body. Nothing riles y’all up more than someone who you’ve desexualized claiming their sexuality.
— Mayowa (@mayowasworld) July 3, 2023
2.
it’s so fascinating being able to *immediately* tell who was paying attention to Janelle Monáe before now and who wasn’t
—
𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐦.
(@HnyVnm_music) July 3, 2023
3.
Y'alls brains really break when women you've categorized as "respectable" post any parts of their breasts on the internet, and you should examine why that is.
— Naima Cochrane (@naima) July 4, 2023
4.
Why does Janelle Monae keep flashing her titties? Lolol. No one else thinks it’s kinda weird?
— DRR (@DiggsWayne) July 3, 2023
5.
y’all need to stop projecting y’alls internalized misogyny onto janelle monae fr pic.twitter.com/perzfqStVo
— ꜱɪʟᴋᴋ ᴅᴀ ꜱᴏᴀᴋᴀʜ (@soberthots_) July 5, 2023
6.
In defense of Janelle Monae. The entire point is that breasts are not pornographic. Kids seeing breasts is not going to turn them into perverts. In many cultures they see them all the time. People are forever trying to hide their respectability politics behind the kids.
— Sean Mc Esq. (@ResistanceSean) July 5, 2023
7.
Y’all. My very southern, Black, churchy mother is completely verklempt that Janelle Monae has armpit hair…
Nothing that I’m saying is getting through lol
— Millennial Golden Girl
(@BrilliantBlkGrl) July 1, 2023
8.
Tell her Janelle Monáe is still fine as f*ck, arm pit hair and all.
https://t.co/kMw81mKAUR
— Jami (@mb93) July 1, 2023
9.
I said to @JanelleMonae a couple weeks ago. “They don’t try you. They let you do whatever you want.” She told me then that wasn’t the case and that she gets a lot of flack for her choices. Now I SEE what she means, I never seen this level of…ignorance towards her. Wack AF.
— A N G E L I C A (@angelicaross) July 5, 2023
10.
Tichina Arnold made a tweet about how black women should stop aiding in the emasculation of black men and “Black Twitter” basically dragged her for it which was asinine. Now India Arie gave her take on how Megan The Stallion and Janelle Monae did not represent the black community…
— Gregory Bell II (@BobbyBooshay713) July 5, 2023
11.
The way some of y’all talk about Janelle Monae sounds eerily similar to Janet Jackson. She was 31 when she released The Velvet Rope, and I know y’all remember the HBO concert. She was 35 when she dropped All For You, and you know the lyrics.
Stop shaming them. Bffr.#Essence pic.twitter.com/CgIY72sO6J
— La Mar is Le Tired. Fire ze missles!
(@lamarford) July 3, 2023
12.
Don’t nobody give a damn what India Arie thinks about Megan Thee Stallion and Janelle Monae. pic.twitter.com/gRZFJ6VPYN
— The Moment. (@itsKARY_) July 5, 2023
13.
If you know me you know that I know that @JanelleMonae is one of the most gorgeous, passionate, and thought provoking people I've ever seen
People, chill……it's a nipple— Henny Hendrx (@hen6rxx) July 5, 2023
14.
I guess I'm a feminist now…. I'm entirely flabbergasted of the audacity people have against Janelle Monae revolutionary act at the Esscene Fest.
— Blaq Gurl Fya (@blaqgurlfya) July 4, 2023
15.
It’s annoying to see these thinkpieces about @JanelleMonae showing her boobs and being naked when she did all this back in 2018 and nobody was vocal about it! Mama made an ENTIRE song about the female anatomy and now y’all mad about a titty. go stream “The Age Of Pleasure”
— Brian.LaMar (@cre8tivedude) July 5, 2023
