Victoria Monét was hesitant to share her sexuality

2023 was Victoria Monét’s solo breakthrough year.

The singer-songwriter released her debut album Jaguar II, her track “On My Mama ”ended up on former President Obama’s list of favorite songs, and she is now is up for 7 nominations at this year’s Grammys, including for Record of the Year, Best R&B Album, and Best New Artist.

She’s done all of this while being an out and proud bisexual, singing about her sexuality in songs like “Smoke” where she playfully sings, “Pre-rolls in the bag, who should I shotgun?/To the left or the right, ‘long as it rotate/It’s a bisexual blunt, it can go both ways.”

However, in a new cover interview with Variety, the singer says that for a long time, she was hesitant about coming out and sharing her sexuality with the public.

“I thought that conforming would make me go further. Being picturesque, straight…” she said. “It almost felt like you didn’t want to add any more weights to your ankles trying to win a race. It’s like, you’re already a woman, you’re already Black – you’d better pick a struggle.”

Monét also referenced how Whitney Houston wasn’t able to be public about her bisexuality.

“I’m so sad she wasn’t able to do whatever that she wanted, and the world would [have] been fine,” she said. “Just do and love who you love. And so if I have the ability to talk about it without so much backlash… I know there are special people who hate it. But I feel like since I have the privilege to do so, I should and just be honest. So music has been a playground for sexuality. And some things I don’t even express in words will just come out in music because it’s on my spirit and soul to do so.”

The 2024 Grammys will broadcast live from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 4 at 5pm PT.