No Need For Details When You’re Talking About Love
Janelle Monáe, the multifaceted artist known for her musical talent, acting prowess, and candid expressions about her sexuality, maintains an unmistakable boundary when it comes to her personal relationships. In an interview with Rolling Stone, the 37-year-old cover star expressed her self-imposed policy to keep her romantic life out of the public eye.
Monáe shared, “My identity, my sexuality, my essence as Janelle Monáe can be expressed without divulging details about my love life. It’s simply not necessary.” Monáe, who publicly identified as pansexual in a 2018 Rolling Stone interview, further discussed her non-binary identity during an appearance on “Red Table Talk” in April 2022.
She elaborated on her perspective, stating, “I am non-binary, and I don’t exclusively identify as a woman. I feel the entirety of my energy. I believe God transcends the binary of ‘he’ or ‘she,’ and as a child of God, I embody all.
I am a fervent supporter of women, particularly Black women, but I see my identity as surpassing the binary. When I meet people, I perceive their energy first, not their identity. This openness allows me to fall in love with any beautiful spirit.”
While Monáe’s current relationship status remains undisclosed, her romantic links to various celebrities over the years have been the subject of speculation. Read on for more insight into her rumored relationships.
Tessa Thompson (2015; 2018)
Speculation about a possible romance between Monáe and Tessa Thompson was ignited in April 2015 when Thompson made an appearance as a backup dancer in Monáe’s “Yoga” music video. The rumors gained momentum when the two appeared together at the 2015 MOCA Gala and played lovers in the “emotion picture” version of Monáe’s “Dirty Computer.”
In a 2018 interview with Porter Edit, Thompson addressed the rumors, saying, “Balancing the desire for privacy with the responsibility of influence is challenging for both Janelle and me, as we are fundamentally private individuals.”
“Our love for each other is profound. We share a deep connection and resonate at the same frequency. If people wish to speculate about our relationship, that’s their prerogative. It doesn’t bother me.”
Despite the ambiguity in Thompson’s comments, many interpreted them as a confirmation of their relationship. However, Thompson later clarified on Twitter that she did not confirm a relationship.
Nate Wonder (2021)
Monáe and longtime friend and collaborator, Nate Wonder, were rumored to be romantically involved in April 2021. These speculations arose after they were seen getting close during a trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Photos shared by Page Six showed the two musicians sharing affectionate gestures on a yacht, but neither of them ever publicly commented on their relationship status. The Rolling Stone interview from May 2023 mentioned that Wonder was present at one of Monáe’s home meetings and he is frequently referenced as a collaborator in the article.
