

Amidst breakout roles in film, daring red carpet looks, and constant rumors about her sexuality, Janelle Monáe affirms that despite the opinions of others, the most important opinion is the one that we have of ourselves.
She is primed to transition from telling the story of the futuristic, human-loving android Cindi Mayweather, to telling the personal and, sometimes misinterpreted, real story of a 32-year-old woman from Kansas City, Kansas named Janelle Monáe.
Leading up to the release of her fourth studio album, Dirty Computer—set to drop on April 27—Monáe opens up in FAULT Magazine's cover story about speaking up for the marginalized due to their sexuality, staying present, and why choosing freedom over fear is the ultimate boss move:
This project is about my freedom and challenging myself to live in the present and not in 2719 through Cindi. I feel like I can contribute to the present day and that I should contribute. I'm choosing to live in the now and to celebrate the people that are not celebrated in the present day. I want to honour those living on the outskirts of society due to their sexuality or gender identity. These are people who I love, and that love me but waking up as an American who cares deeply about the American dream and the rights of all people to it, I feel there is too much at stake to be quiet and to mince my words on specific issues.
Monáe reveals that despite many of messages she's previously sent about embracing your uniqueness, she says was afraid that she would lose supporters if she had been completely open and vulnerable enough to tell her own truth. She has seemingly gained a new superpower in vulnerability which comes with a lot of self-love and soul-searching.
There is power in vulnerability, and I think that it needed to start with me. I was inspired by many movies, some of which I've been a part of and the stories I read and people I've met; when people shared their stories with me so honestly, it resonated.
I've been talking about it, but I feel I wasn't entirely embracing the things that made me unique. I was telling others to as part of my music, but I wasn't living it, and I think that I was afraid I would lose supporters for doing so. I had a lot of conversation with myself about who was going to be the subject of the album myself or Cindi, but I'm here now, and I think it's right that I stay in the present and share my story and walk in my truth as fearlessly as possible.
In shedding the persona of Cindi, Monáe is not only willing to live in her truth, she is also embracing the freedom that comes with pushing past the fear of others opinion and embracing this truth as the ultimate compass for her life.
It's not that I don't experience fear, but in those moments, I choose freedom and freedom is not free. Freedom always comes with great sacrifice, and there will be people who say hurtful things and not support me because I'm living my truth.
Monáe says she has already put in the work and is prepared for any criticism that might come. And while she hopes the music speaks for itself, she won't be strangled by anyone else's misinterpretation of her words or her intentions.
I have soul searched, and this time around, I think being honest is most important. It's about being able to say "hey I'm ok if people don't like that I'm embracing this side of me", it's the side that my friends and family get to see and they still love me the same. I think that my evolution is more important than pleasing people and I may not say it right, I might get some things wrong, and I may stumble along the way but was I honest, was I sincere, was my heart in the right place? Yes, yes and yes.
Monae's ability and willingness to be open and honest with not just those around us but with ourselves as well is an incredible message, in and of itself. Self-love is actually a process that can be arduous, scary and time consuming. Sometimes we might not even like what we find out, but it is essential for bossing up. We end up stifling our own growth by spending too much energy worrying about what others might think of our choices and ways of life.
The true measure of self-love is being able to take a look within and defining for ourselves who we truly are at our core.
This may ruffle the feathers of those who have their own perceptions of who we are and who have already placed us in their self-imposing boxes. Time to bust out of that box, because the freedom you receive from caring more about your own opinion of yourself over the opinion of others is both liberating AND empowering.
Monae is choosing fearlessness in all aspects of life and defining herself for herself in more ways than one. Once quiet about her sexuality, Monae has shown us through Dirty Computer how to truly show up and show out for growth and evolution. In a recent cover story for Rolling Stone, the "PYNK" singer came out 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 motherf*cker."
She initially identified as bisexual, she clarifies, "but then later 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."
I know I, for one, can't wait to hear what Janelle Monae has cooked up with Dirty Computer. No doubt we will be embracing our own "computer viruses" while we stomp it out and break it down like a true "Django Jane" would.
Read the full FAULT Magazine cover story here. Check out the newly released visual for "I Like That," the fourth single from Janelle Monáe's anticipated fourth studio album, Dirty Computer below. The album drops Friday.
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Michelle Schmitz is a writer and editor based in Washington, DC originally from Ft Lauderdale, FL. A self-described ambivert, you can find her figuring out ways to read more than her monthly limit of The New York Times, attending concerts, and being a badass, multi-tasking supermom. She also runs her own blog MichelleSasha.com. Keep up with her latest moves on IG: @michellesashawrites and Twitter: @michellesashas
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Synthetic Braiding Hair & Chemicals: What To Know & What To Do Next
When I was younger, one of my favorite hairstyles was cornrows. I would get them long (as long as mom would allow me to get) with beads on the end. To get the length I wanted, I would add synthetic braiding hair.
Just like many other Black women I know, going to the hair store with my mom or other family members to grab a pack of kanekalon braiding hair was the norm. As I grew up and advanced, so did the hair industry.
Now, when you go to the hair store you are inundated with all kinds of hair textures, colors, and more. That’s why it was so upsetting to read the latest report about synthetic braiding hair.
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A Feb 27 Consumer Reports article revealed that most popular synthetic hair brands that are used for braiding have dangerous chemicals such as carcinogens, lead and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The report stated that 10 of the brands were tested and all 10 had these chemicals. These brands included Shake-N-Go, Sassy Collection, and Sensationnel.
These chemicals include benzene, which is a carcinogen that has been linked to acute myeloid leukemia and unsafe levels of lead, which can cause kidney damage, brain damage, and cardiovascular problems in adults.
In children, it can cause brain and nervous system damage, learning disabilities, behavioral problems and even developmental delays.
James E. Rogers, PhD, director and head of product safety testing led the testing for synthetic braiding hair. “Our exposure and risk analysis found all nine products could expose a regular user of any of these products to a level of lead that could be concerning over time,” he said.
As shocking as this is, it also brought some clarity around why I’ve had issues with wearing braiding hair as of late.
Not only have I dealt with scalp irritation, I’ve even had breakouts on my back from the hair touching. Since then, I’ve started rinsing the hair with apple cider vinegar, and haven’t had that many issues. However, the report stated that ACV isn’t a “cure-all” and can potentially release harmful chemicals when rinsing the hair.
@javonford16 Replying to @Julianna Rebundle vid: @Javon Ford Beauty #blackhairstyles #braidinghair #blackgirlhairstyles @Consumer Reports
While the report sparked some outrage, chemist Javon Ford has a different view. In a TikTok video, he shared that the report was tested for oral exposure and not dermal exposure.
He showed a screenshot of an email he allegedly sent Consumer Reports questioning their decision to test this way. The email said, “the best model to use, in our view, is the ingestion model for the reasons given in the article.”
“While I understand they went with that model, I don’t agree with it because you’re not intentionally ingesting braids,” Javon said. The chemist also said that the amount of chemicals found in the brands is “conservative” compared to other types of products.
So what does this mean for us braid-wearers? If you still want to wear braids, but have some concerns, you can limit how often you wear them. Another option is wearing non-toxic braiding hair or plant-based hair. The only downside is that it's pricier than synthetic hair.
The Consumer Report also suggested checking for recalls, reading labels carefully, and reporting adverse effects. Hair isn’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, so it’s best to do your research when making purchases.
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