Janelle Monáe Explains Why She Doesn't Discuss Their Love Life: "It's Not Necessary"

Published on May 22, 2023 at 3:00 PM

Janelle Monáe is open to discussing her music, acting projects, and sexuality, but when it comes to her love life, they prefer to keep that private. Speaking to Rolling Stone in May, the 37-year-old cover star said they have "a policy and agreement with myself" to keep that part of their life away from the spotlight. She explained, "I can talk about my identity, I can talk about my sexuality. I can talk about all things Janelle Monáe without having to go into detail. You know what I mean? It's not necessary."

Monáe — who came out as pansexual in a 2018 Rolling Stone cover interview — talked about being nonbinary during an April 2022 appearance on "Red Table Talk." "I'm nonbinary, so I just don't see myself as a woman solely," they said. "I feel all of my energy. I feel like God is so much bigger than the 'he' or the 'she,' and if I am from God, I'm everything. I will always stand with women; I will always stand with Black women; but I just see everything that I am beyond the binary. When I see people, I see your energy first. I don't see how you identify. I feel like that opens you up to fall in love with any beautiful spirit."

It's unclear if Monáe is currently dating anyone, but she has been linked to a couple stars over the years. Learn more about their dating history ahead.

Tessa Thompson (2015; 2018)

Romance rumors between Monáe and Thompson first began swirling in April 2015 when Thompson made a cameo as a backup dancer in the singer's "Yoga" music video. The following month, the two attended the 2015 MOCA Gala together, and speculation later intensified when they starred as lovers in the "emotion picture" version of Monáe's "Dirty Computer."

Speaking to Porter Edit in June 2018, Thompson addressed the dating rumors, saying, "It's tricky, because Janelle and I are just really private people and we're both trying to navigate how you reconcile wanting to have that privacy and space, and also wanting to use your platform and influence."

Thompson added, "We love each other deeply. We're so close, we vibrate on the same frequency. If people want to speculate about what we are, that's okay. It doesn't bother me." Thompson's comments led many to believe she had confirmed their romantic relationship, but she later clarified in a tweet: "I didn't say I was in a relationship. But I said lots of other things."

Nate Wonder (2021)

The longtime friends and frequent collaborators sparked romance rumors in April 2021 when they were spotted cozying up to each other during a trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. In photos published by Page Six at the time, the two musicians were seen hugging and kissing while on a yacht, though neither ever publicly commented on their relationship status.

In Monáe's May 2023 Rolling Stone interview, the reporter noted that Wonder was at Monáe's home during one meeting, and Wonder is mentioned throughout as working with them.