Janelle Monae

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    Janelle Monae: 'Antebellum' Shines Light on 'Centuries Long War' Against Racism

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    WENN

    Celebrating the release of her thriller movie, the ‘Make Me Feel’ singer expresses her gratitude to be given the opportunity to play ‘a fighter and the hero that is Veronica Henley.’
    Sep 21, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Janelle Monae has addressed the significance of her new movie “Antebellum”, which details the “centuries long war” against racism.
    The film, which tells the story of successful author Veronica Henley who finds herself trapped in a horrifying reality that forces her to confront the past, present and future, was released on video on demand last week, ends September 18.
    Taking to Twitter to celebrate the release, the “Dirty Computer” hitmaker penned, “ANTEBELLUM. IS. OUT. Shining light on what it’s like to be a black woman living in America (past and present) carrying the burden of dismantling white supremacy and systemic racism was my North Star. We are in a centuries long war with the same demons. The past is not dead.”

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    She continued, “Thank you @bushandrenz 4giving me an opportunity 2play a fighter and the hero that is Veronica Henley. Although she is a fictitious character, she carries the essence of many real life heroes to our community, and the every day acts of bravery by so many oppressed people,” Janelle continued. “I am forever grateful to the black women who inspired my commitment 2this character. Thank you for the activism you do daily to liberate, elevate, educate, and protect marginalized voices. It is important that globally the world understands the risks you take to fight for us (sic).”

    Janelle Monae celebrated the release of ‘Antebellum’ with lengthy post.
    Janelle concluded, “You are owed so much. YOU DESERVE MORE. YOU DESERVE PEACE. WE DESERVE FREEDOM. Sending Radical love and radical self care to you. The. fight. must continue (sic).”
    “Antebellum” is written and directed by Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz, marking their feature directorial debuts.

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      Director of Janelle Monae's 'Antebellum' Gets Real About Reason Behind VOD Release

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      Lionsgate

      While Gerard Bush explains why the film is too important to be put on hold, his leading actress stresses that it serves as an important reminder about what is at stake amid the Black Lives Matter protests.
      Sep 8, 2020
      AceShowbiz – The producers of Janelle Monae’s hard-hitting new movie, “Antebellum”, chose not to wait for cinemas to re-open after the COVID shutdown to release the project because it’s too relevant to the times.
      In her first leading role, the singer doubles up as a bestselling author studying the history of African-Americans and Civil War-era slavery, and first-time director Gerard Bush tells WENN the film is too important to be put on hold.
      Instead, “Antebellum” will be released via video-on-demand platforms this weekend, September 11.
      “The parallels with the pandemic of racism that has existed in this country for the past 400 years… meant that we not defer this much-needed conversation another day,” he explains.
      “Although we had designed ‘Antebellum’ for the theatrical experience, the urgency of getting the movie in front of as many people as possible now in this moment was much more important than waiting until later in 2021 to get it out in theaters.”
      And there’s another good reason to release the film now, “This feels like a divine time for the movie because the release date that we chose, September 18, unbeknownst to us, was the exact date of the anniversary of The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, and that gave us a feeling of, ‘This is what we’re supposed to do.’ ”
      Meanwhile, Monae insists the film is an important conversation piece following a summer of Black Lives Matter protests throughout the U.S.
      “This film highlights what black women have to deal with every single day as we carry the burden of dismantling white supremacy and systemic racism,” she adds. “This isn’t something that we should be doing, yet we are doing it. I think this film reminds us what’s at stake. If we don’t use our privilege for good to protect black lives, then we will continue to see an uprising and we will continue to lose human beings who matter.”
      “We need to continue the conversation, because through dialogue is how we get to change. If we are continuing business as usual and ignoring the past, which was channel slavery, and how it has informed all of the racist policies that we have today, then we won’t get real change.”
      “Policing even during the Civil War wasn’t meant to protect, but to terrorize; without realizing that we won’t get to the real solution to the real problem.”

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      Janelle Monae Keen to Play Storm in New 'X-Men' Movie

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      WENN

      The ‘Dirty Computer’ singer would love to be the next actress to play the Marvel female superhero made famous by Halle Berry in the ‘X-Men’ movie franchise.
      Jul 8, 2020
      AceShowbiz – Janelle Monae wants to take over the role of Storm in the “X-Men” movie franchise.
      The singer and actress created her 2018 album “Dirty Computer” in Atlanta, Georgia at the same time Ryan Coogler was filming his Marvel superhero movie Black Panther there – and reveals that spending time with its stars, like close pal Lupita Nyong’o, gave her a taste for comic book movies.
      However, it’s the role made famous by Halle Berry she’s really got her eye on, telling Empire magazine, “I definitely have thrown it out there. One of my dreams has always been to play Storm.”
      Storm, like the rest of the “X-Men” is a Marvel character, the mutant heroes have been kept apart from the main Marvel Cinematic Universe due to rights issues – which now could be resolved by Marvel Studios’ parent firm Disney’s purchase of 21st Century Fox.
      The star says she’d love to see a Black Panther X-Men crossover, adding, “I don’t know if she comes in Black Panther, but it would be a dream to have her in it. I don’t know where they are with that.”
      The actress currently in place as Storm is Alexandra Shipp, who played a younger version of the weather-altering mutant in the last two “X-Men” movies – but Janelle wants to be next in line.
      “A lot of women have played Storm and they’ve done an exceptional job, and I would love to be in that line of artists and get to do Storm justice,” she explains.

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      Janelle Monae Calls Out Misogyny in Rap Industry: 'Women Didn't Create Misogny, Y'all Did'

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      WENN

      The ‘Hidden Figures’ actress also notes that misogyny doesn’t only happen in entertainment as it occurs in ‘boardrooms, the WH, households, corporate spaces, army’ and church.
      Jul 6, 2020
      AceShowbiz – Singer Janelle Monae has had enough with misogyny in rap music. The musician, who has been known as an advocate of equal rights, recently took to her social media account to rant about the amount of misogyny in rap music which she said was “infuriating.”
      “Women (black women inparticular) have been betrayed by the majority of men for far too long . The systems that enable Patriarchy and abusers of power are burning . Either bring gasoline or burn with them,” she began her Twitter tirade on Friday, July 3.
      The “Make Me Feel” songstress noted that people “can’t wait to call women every b***h , h** , discuss violent acts against women, etc for clout in rap, rock, and through out music history.” She added, “Misogny has NEVER been okay yet it has become normalized. Women didn’t create misogny, y’all did. SO YOU DO THE WORK to ABOLISH IT.”
      The “Hidden Figures” actress then shared that misogyny doesn’t only happen in entertainment as it occurs in “boardrooms, the WH, households, corporate spaces, army, church, let’s us all know ya’ll do not care about women on a human to human level and you never have. If you did it would have been ABOLISHED centuries ago. You had time.”
      Concluding her rant, Janelle wrote to her followers, “A lot of my musical heroes and peers’ Work are problematic in many ways . And I just might be a problematic hero to someone.”

      Janelle Monae ranted about misogyny in entertainment.
      This arrives after she opened up about how “triggering” it was to film her upcoming horror film “Antebellum”. Talking about her role, which is an author who is transported back in time to a reality in which she is an enslaved person, Janelle said, “Oh, I brought all of my ancestors home with me. We were filming most of the stuff at night on a plantation, and I felt everything. There were just certain conversations even at craft services that if I heard would be triggering for me.”
      “This is a project that is so of the times, and it was not going to be a yes for me because I knew the responsibility and the weight of it and I knew what this character was going to have to go through physically and emotionally,” she went on to add during the Hollywood Reporter Drama Actress Roundtable.

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      in Television

      Todrick Hall and Janelle Monae Tapped for HBO's 'Human by Orientation' Pride Month Series

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      WENN

      HBO is having a Pride Month celebration through June 28 by providing ‘a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies to gather, recharge, and spread joy.’
      Jun 21, 2020
      AceShowbiz – Todrick Hall, Janelle Monae, and Kim Petras are among the stars tapped to perform as part of HBO’s “Human by Orientation” virtual Pride Month series.
      The U.S. network has repurposed its famous acronym – Home Box Office – to “Human by Orientation”, in celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride, to debut its first-ever digital Pride event.
      The new website is described as “a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies to gather, recharge, and spread joy – celebrating their queerest, proudest selves.”
      Fans can sign up and RSVP for free daily virtual events, from DJ sets to a drag brunch hosted by the cast of HBO’s “We’re Here” to queer comedy nights and more.
      Stars including Todrick, Janelle, Kim, and Cameron Esposito will also feature throughout the networks program of events.
      “Pride was, and is, a protest, originally led by black and brown trans women, fighting for all LGBTQIA+ people,” HBO bosses said in a press release. “It’s due to the activism of this oft overlooked community that Pride is the celebration we know today.”
      “Pride brings together the full spectrum of the queer family and it’s important-now more than ever-to stand in solidarity with those in need of support.”
      Events will remain ongoing through June 28. For more information, click here.

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      in Music

      Oscars 2020: Janelle Monae Shades the Academy, Eminem Makes Surprise Appearance

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      Also among the performers at the annual event in Los Angeles is Idina Menzel, who belts out ‘Frozen 2’ hit ‘Into the Unknown’ along with vocal performers for Elsa from other countries.
      Feb 10, 2020
      AceShowbiz – Besides announcing winners of each categories, the 92nd annual Academy Awards also offered both the audience and viewers at home with amazing performances. Opening the event was Janelle Monae, who took the time to call out the academy during her number.
      In the beginning of her performance, Janelle paid tribute to Mr. Rogers by slipping into the iconic red sweater while crooning a sweet rendition of “Mister Roger’s Neighborhood” theme song. At one point, she even ventured into the audience to serenade Tom Hanks, who was nominated for best actor in a supporting role for his portrayal of Mr. Rogers in “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”.
      Moments after handing Tom her hat, Janelle returned to the stage and broke out into an original song dedicated t this year’s nominated films and actors. That was when the 34-year-old sang, “The Oscars, it’s so white, it’s time to come alive,” before Billy Porter joined her onstage to perform Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing”. She received a standing ovation for her performance.
      [embedded content]
      Later on during the event, Idina Menzel treated everyone to a stunning performance of “Frozen II” hit song “Into the Unknown”. However, the actress wasn’t the only one singing the song on the stage. Clad in a strapless white ballgown, she was joined by vocal performers for Elsa from other countries such as Denmark, Germany, Japan and Latin America.
      [embedded content]
      Meanwhile, Eminem successfully made a lot of people shocked when he took the stage to deliver a surprise performance. Ahead of the performance, Lin-Manuel Miranda highlighted the importance of the songs featured in film as a montage of memorable cinematic music moments followed. Right after that, Em appeared on the stage to perform “Lose Yourself” from “8 Mile”.

      Some people in the audience looked noticeably confused by Em’s unannounced performance, including Idina and Billie Eilish. On the other hand, “The Irishman” director Martin Scorsese was captured on camera falling asleep. Despite making some people confused, Em still received a standing ovation.

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      in Music

      Janelle Monae Added to List of Special Performers for 2020 Oscars

      by

      WENN/Instar

      Billie Eilish has been tapped to deliver another special performance as well, whereas Cynthia Erivo will perform ‘Stand Up’ which is vying for the Best Original Song kudo.
      Feb 7, 2020
      AceShowbiz – Janelle Monae has been added to the list of performers at the Oscars, alongside stars like Billie Eilish and Elton John.

      Like Grammy winner Eilish, Janelle will deliver a special performance at the ceremony on Sunday, February, 09, but details are being kept under wraps.

      The musician and actress’ “Harriet” co-star Cynthia Erivo, who is up for Best Actress, will also perform her Oscar nominated Best Original Song, “Stand Up”, while Randy Newman, Chrissy Metz and Idina Menzel have also been booked to sing their Best Song nods.

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