Janelle Monáe’s latest album might be called “Dirty Computer,” but she radiates warmth and unerring humanity in person. She wears many hats, both literal and figurative, a fashion icon and media mogul who’s also one of the finest actors at work.
In the deeply affecting and wildly-fun Ugly Dolls, she plays ‘Mandy,’ a doll who desperately wants everyone to think she’s perfect despite her self-described flaws in plain view. Sounds like life to me.
Monáe and I talked about what this movie means in 2019, Urkel’s impact on my life and how she hopes to shape the future.
The Knockturnal: Hi, so nice to meet you. Just wanted to let you know this movie did make me cry.
Janelle Monáe: Aww. Forreal?
The Knockturnal: I do be crying generally, but this movie really got me. So thank you so much. Was it important for you to be in a movie like this in the political climate we’re in?
Janelle Monáe: Absolutely. I felt like it was so timely. And I love playing Mandy. She is definitely me, if I was a cartoon character, an animated figure. I am kind of animated in real life. But she’s super cool cause she stands up to bullies. She’s a threat to patriarchy, she’s a threat to those who abuse their power and try to belittle the outcasts and the weirdos. This is a celebration of folks embracing the things that make them unique, even when it makes other people uncomfortable.
The Knockturnal: And she has a particular, not a tick, but she can’t see very well so she hides that she wears glasses, which I totally did as a kid.
Janelle Monáe: Did you? Why? Did you get teased?
The Knockturnal: Yeah. Because Urkel was super big when I was a kid. So it was like, all day.
Janelle Monáe: And now look at you. You have clear glasses, you totally look cool.
The Knockturnal: I’m at the Four Seasons.
Janelle Monáe: [laughs]
The Knockturnal: Was there anything you had like that when you were a kid? Maybe something you were trying to hide.
Janelle Monáe: I went through a couple stages. I think I went through a stage when I was a little more chubby. You’re growing into your height. And I remember getting teased a little bit about that. And I do remember being bullied by a girl who was taller than me in school. I know what that feeling feels like. Then all of a sudden something just…came out of me, and I stood up for myself. And I feel like I also, in my real life, feel a responsibility to stand up. Not that people need me, but whether it’s to help give them a microphone so that they can voice their own concerns. When you come from marginalized communities; from being an immigrant, part of the LGBTQIA+ communities. When I think about the platform that I have, I always want to highlight voices that don’t typically get highlighted. I think in this film she does that, and I think she finds out a lot about herself through that journey. She grows to love herself because she watches them love themselves. It’s like they all need each other.
The Knockturnal: When it comes to Wondaland Productions, are those the kind of artists you’re trying to highlight?
Janelle Monáe: Of course! Jidenna, Roman GianArthur, St. Beauty, Deep Cotton; we’re looking for more artists as well. Super proud of what we’re doing. I was just with everyone. We’ve been hiding out in LA working from a secret location on some cool stuff, so I’m excited.
The Knockturnal: I have to namedrop. My friend had a meeting with Mikael (managing partner at Wonderland Films) recently…
Janelle Monáe: Who’s your friend?
The Knockturnal Amanda Kramer. She’s a director.
Janelle Monáe: Oh cool! Cool. But yes, my film company. I’m super-excited to highlight voices and stories that we don’t normally see or hear. We’re not putting ourselves in a box. We want to be able to tell universal stories in unforgettable ways. And we’re also excited about doing it with innovators and folks who have a vision and a unique perspective.
The Knockturnal: I love that. Thank you so much. This was rad.
Janelle Monáe: Thanks. Cool hair.