Known mainly as a musician, Janelle Monáe spent the last few years appearing in high-profile films. You could find her supporting in the Oscar-nominated film “Moonlight,” leading in 2020’s “Antebellum,” and winning a Screen Actors Guild Award alongside her ensemble for “Hidden Figures.” During this past awards season, Monáe graced many red carpets as the favorite in the Best Supporting Actress category for her performance in Rian Johnson’s “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.” She appeared at the Academy Awards despite missing a nomination.
As much as we’ve loved her detour into the world of cinema, she’s back with her fourth studio album, “The Age of Pleasure,” released on June 9th from Atlantic Records. Just this week, she graced the cover of Rolling Stone, wearing exotic ensembles, sometimes on her body and sometimes just on her head. Her music video for “Lipstick Lover” is just as steamy as her RS spread, emerging from a pool wearing a wet T-shirt that reads “Pleasure.” Her album cover shows her swimming topless under a group of people, and her vinyl fold-out has (assumedly) her breasts painted on the inside. Monáe is not new to the risque world, appearing at the past year’s MetGala in New York, first in an enormous black-and-white suit, only to reveal very little underneath. She’s also posted steamy photos and videos on her social media, including a topless birthday celebration.
