Janelle Monáe is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, actress and model. She is signed to her own imprint, Wondaland Arts Society and Atlantic Records. After her first unofficial studio album, The Audition, she publicly debuted with a conceptual EP titled Metropolis: Suite I (The Chase), which peaked at number 115 on the Billboard 200 in the United States. Monáe has received six Grammy Award nominations.
Birth Name
Janelle Monáe Robinson
Nickname
Janelle
Profession
Singer, Rapper, Songwriter, Actress, Model
Genre
Psychedelic Soul, R&B, Funk, Soul, Pop, Art Rock
Instruments
Vocals, Guitar
Labels
Wondaland, Epic, Bad Boy, Atlantic Records
Nationality
American
Personal Life
Birthday / Date of Birth
Janelle Monáe was born on the 1st of December 1985, in Kansas City, Kansas, United States.
Age
She’s currently 37 years old.
Sun Sign
Sagittarius
Ethnicity
Black
Religion
Baptist
Education
Monae went to the F. L. Schlagle High School in Kansas City. Post that, she started studying drama at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City on a scholarship basis. However, she didn’t complete her studies there as she dropped out claiming that her creativity was stifled at the institute. She was also enrolled at the performing arts camp named, Freedom Theatre.
Family Details
- Father – Michael Robinson Summers (Truck Driver)
- Mother – Unknown (Worked as a Janitor)
- Siblings – None
Marital Status
Single
Boyfriend / Spouse
Janelle Monae has dated –
- Lewis Hamilton (2015) – In 2015, Janelle was reported to be seeing British F1 racer Lewis Hamilton after they were spotted together in Paris attending numerous events during the Paris Fashion Week. However, she being her private self didn’t say anything about her supposed new boyfriend.
- Tessa Thompson (2018-Present) – In April 2018, when the music video of PYNK was released by Janelle, the fans considered that they indeed were dating in real life as they looked quite comfortable in the video. Later in an interview given to Porter magazine, Tessa revealed that she was bisexual and she and Janelle are private persons. Overall, she didn’t accept nor denied the relationship rumors.
Physical Statistics
Height
- In feet – 5 feet
- In centimeters – 152 cm
- In meters – 1.5 m
Weight
- In Kilograms – 52 kg
- In Pounds – 115 lbs
Body Measurements
- Measurements – 36-25-36
- Bust – 36 inches
- Waist – 25 inches
- Hip – 36 inches
- Bra Size – 34B
Body Build
Slim
Eye Color
Dark Brown
Hair Color
Black
Shoe Size
She wears a size 6 (US) shoe.
Dress Size
Her dress size is 5 (US).
Sexuality
Bisexual
Professional Statistics
Famous For
Janelle is popular for her dressings style, which is tuxedo wardrobe, her signature style. Her black and white colour code is her signature style with which she relates to her early years when she worked as a maid. Her albums The ArchAndroid, The Electric Lady and Dirty Computer. Her portrayal in the movie Hidden Figures, alongside actresses Taraji P.
Album Debut
On May 18, 2010, Monae released her first studio album titled The ArchAndroid, which charted at #17 on the US Billboard 200. It also managed to reach the top charts in many countries. Her second album titled “The Electric Lady” was released on September 6, 2013 to critical acclaim and debuted at number 5 on Billboard 200, followed by her third album, “Dirty Computer” on April 27, 2018. It peaked at #6 on the Billboard 200. Her first appearance in the Billboard Hot 100 chart was “We Are Young” by fun., in which she was featured as a.guest vocalist.
Film Debut
In 2014, Janelle landed her first acting job as a voice actress in the 3D animated film Rio 2 in which she voiced the character Dr. Monae. Her first acting role was as Teresa in the movie Moonlight (2016).
Television Debut
In 2004, Monae hosted the music TV series Souled Out.
Brand Endorsements
Janelle has starred in commercials for Pepsi, CoverGirl for Whipped Cream Foundation, Sonos Wireless HiFi Home Audio System, Target Store, Gap & Sonos.
Janelle Monáe Favorites
- Favorite Movies – Psycho (1960), The Twilight Zone
- Favorite TV series – Game of Thrones
- Favorite Role Models – Josephine Baker, Grace Jones
- Favorite Writers – Aldous Huxley, Isaac Asimov, Octavia Butler
Janelle Monáe Net worth
Janelle Monae has a net worth of $12 million dollars as of 2023.
Social Media Profiles
- Facebook – Janelle Monae
- Instagram – janellemonae
- Twitter – Janelle Monae
Some Lesser Known Facts About Janelle Monáe
- Janelle had a very difficult upbringing due to poor financial condition of her family.
- As a child, she used to sing on holidays and Sundays at the local Baptist church.
- Her inclination towards music began as a child when she was inspired by the fictional character from the musical ‘The Wizard of Oz’. She started singing and songwriting at a very young age. She was part of the choir in the local Baptist church.
- Monáe was a member of Kansas City’s Coterie Theater Young Playwrights’ Round Table when’s she was young.
- In 2001, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia where she met OutKast’s Big Boi, and then founded the Wondaland Arts Society with some like-minded young artists.
- Janelle got her first break in 2006 when she performed with ‘OutKast’ in their album titled ‘Idlewild’ where she appeared in the numbers ‘Call the Law’ and ‘In Your Dreams’.
- In 2010, Monáe received the Vanguard Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers at the Rhythm & Soul Music Awards.
- She was featured in the “Style 100” of InStyle magazine.
- Monáe supports LGBTQ community.
- Janelle launched her own range of clothing products under the label of Electro Phi Beta Sorority.
- Her movies Moonlight and Hidden Figures were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
- She has been influenced by the music of Michael Jackson, James Brown and Stevie Wonder.
- In February 2017, Janelle received the “Breakthrough Award” at the 10th annual Essence Black Women In Hollywood event.
