Janelle Monáe Comes Out As Pansexual: 'I'm Open To Learning More About Who I Am'
"Make Me Feel" singer Janelle Monáe talks about her gender preference in a recent magazine interview where she finally put to rest rumors about her sexuality.
Sexual Orientation
Monáe had always dodged questions about her sexuality. She had been linked with Thor: Ragnarok actress Tessa Thompson (Westworld) but refused to address the rumors and preferred to keep her dating life private.
Now, the 32-year-old singer from Kansas City candidly opens up about her sexual orientation in an exclusive interview with Rolling Stone ahead of the release of her new album Dirty Computer. As Monáe sings in her new album, "Let the rumors be true," she admits that she identifies herself as pansexual.
"Being a queer black woman in America, someone who has been in relationships with both men and women, I consider myself to be a free-ass mother****r," she says.
Monáe says that she initially identified herself as bisexual. However, she later realized that she also relates to pansexuality.
"I read about pansexuality and was like, 'Oh, these are things that I identify with too.' I'm open to learning more about who I am," the American singer, rapper, and music producer adds.
Pansexuality differs with bisexuality. The latter refers to those people who are sexually or romantically attracted to people of more than one gender, while the former pertains to the emotional or sexual attraction toward someone regardless of sex or gender identity. Pansexuality gives people the freedom to express attraction to multiple genders.
Music
Monáe adds that her music actually has subtle nods to her sexuality. Fans only have to listen carefully to pick out the references. Her songs "Mushrooms & Roses" and "Q.U.E.E.N." makes Mary an object of an affection. The original title for "Q.U.E.E.N." was "Q.U.E.E.R." In the accompanying film for Dirty Computer, female "dirty computers" are given the name "Mary Apple."
The "Electric Lady" singer holds a close relationship with her family. However, she has not discussed her sexual orientation with everyone yet. Monáe quips that she does not have the time to hold a town-hall meeting to open up about her sexuality. But she is certain that they will be asking questions when she goes home to Kansas.
"There are people in my life that love me and they have questions and I guess when I get there, I'll have to answer those questions," Monáe tells the publication.
Dirty Computer arrives on Friday, April 27.
