Janelle Monae's Husband: A Glimpse into Her Love Life & Sexuality
Despite openly expressing her true sexuality in public, the life of singer and actress Janelle Monáe—and the burning question of whether she has a husband—continues to captivate fans' curiosity.
For years, musician and "Hidden Figures" actress Janelle Monáe has consistently embraced both her personal and professional life with authenticity, gaining admiration from fans worldwide.
While curiosity persists about her romantic journey and marital status, Monáe has occasionally been linked with a handful of fellow celebrities.
Janelle Monáe attends the 2018 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 24, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Janelle Monáe's Rumored Romances
In 2015, Janelle Monáe captured the public's attention when she was spotted in France with British F1 racer Lewis Hamilton at Paris Fashion Week, despite an attendance glitch during one of its remarkable shows.
Although Monáe and Hamilton's relationship remained uncertain, it's important to mention that the F1 superstar was previously linked with other notable female celebrities, including Nicole Scherzinger, Rihanna, Gigi Hadid, and Kendall Jenner.
In April 2021, Monáe and her longtime creative collaborator Nate Wonder from Wondaland Arts Society were spotted getting cozy while on a yacht in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Janelle Monáe and Lewis Hamilton arrive to attend the Stella McCartney show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2016 on October 5, 2015, in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
Monáe and Wonder first met while studying at Atlanta's Morehouse College in the early 2000s, and their creative partnership has continued to flourish. Despite their seemingly strong connection, they never confirmed the status of their relationship in the public eye.
As her music career took off, rumors circulated that Monáe and actress Tessa Thompson were in a romantic relationship.
Nate Wonder and Janelle Monáe attend the Thom Browne show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2020/2021 on March 1, 2020, in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
Janelle Monáe Opens up about Her Sexuality
In April 2018, Monáe identified as "a queer black woman in America." She revealed she had been in relationships with both men and women and considered herself a "free" individual.
While initially labeling herself as bisexual, her journey of self-discovery led her to the concept of pansexuality, which resonated deeply with her. Monáe expressed her openness to further self-discovery.
Four years later, Monáe identified as non-binary and embraced the pronouns "they/them" and "she/her." She also opened up about her identity on a "Red Table Talk" show in April 2022, with hosts Jada Pinkett-Smith, Willow Smith, and Adrienne Banfield-Norris. She said:
"I'm non-binary. I don't see myself as a woman or solely, or you know, I feel all of my energy. I feel like God is so much bigger than 'he' and 'she.'"
Janelle Monáe attends the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 27, 2022, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Monáe explained that she believes that her energy goes beyond traditional gender labels. While she has discovered what her sexuality is, Monáe continues to advocate for women, particularly black women.
Embracing her true self and not conforming to others' expectations, she has also admitted to being involved in monogamous and polyamorous relationships. Through her self-discovery, Monáe gained the confidence to discuss her experiences openly.
Janelle Monáe's Music as a Vehicle for Self-Discovery
Monáe has been using her music to address questions about her sexuality and hopes to inspire others to embrace their true selves. While she evaded direct questions about her own sexuality in the past, she cleverly weaved her honest answers into her songs.
As her music career took off, rumors circulated that Monáe and actress Tessa Thompson were in a romantic relationship following Thompson's appearance in Monáe's 2018 music video for "Make Me Feel." However, Thompson said they "love each other deeply," emphasizing their closeness.
Tessa Thompson and Janelle Monáe attend the premiere of Paramount Pictures' "Annihilation" at Regency Village Theatre on February 13, 2018, in Westwood, California. | Source: Getty Images
While many were speculating about the true status of their relationship, Thompson remains unbothered by it. Both she and Monáe highly valued their "privacy and space," but they also recognized the opportunity to use their influence on important issues.
Beyond her music, Monáe aims to empower her listeners, especially young people facing challenges related to their sexuality. She wants them to feel acknowledged, assuring them that her album is a tribute to them and encouraging them to take pride in their uniqueness.