SZA has long advocated for women’s self-confidence, so it is not surprising that she recently praised Janelle Monáe for her self-assured sexual expression.
SZA has recently increased her vocal prowess in embracing her sexuality and self, and this has been heard in her music. It makes fitting that she would laud Monáe, who recently gained notoriety for often showing off her bare breasts.
While some individuals opposed to the “Tightrope” singer’s NSFW promotional campaign for her upcoming new album, The Age of Pleasure, SZA enthusiastically backed them, arguing that there’s no need to put limits on women because they can also be smart, sophisticated, and seductive.
SZA wrote in the comments section of an Instagram image by RNB Radar starring Monáe, “I love that’s it’s HER being free rn because ppl LOVE to box women in and claim that because your articulate respected and intelligent you can’t show your body or be sexual or anything else lol.”
She added: “I’m ALL FOR HER SELF RENAISSANCE.” She also expressed respect for Monáe’s “self-renaissance.”
The timing of Monáe’s latest act matches that with the release of her new song, “Lipstick Lover,” the music video for which includes additional naked people.
SZA had already stood up for a different female entertainer. She came out in favor of Angela Bassett earlier this year after she was passed over for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2023.
The singer expressed her displeasure with Bassett’s past in a tweet before the ceremony, writing that the fact that “Angela Basset [sic] doesn’t already have an Oscar” made her want to “knock shit over” and seemed to foretell Bassett’s defeat.
For her part in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Bassett received a nomination. Her portrayal of Tina Turner in What’s Love Got to Do with It earned her a 1993 Oscar nomination for Best Actress, but Holly Hunter in The Piano won the award.
SZA has previously supported encouraging women to embrace their identities and feel good about themselves.
When accepting this year’s Woman Of The Year award at Bilboard’s Women In Music awards ceremony in March, the New Jersey singer gave a stirring statement about acceptance.
SZA said during her speech, “There are so many women in this room right now that I respect so deeply.” “This could have been any of us in this room, whether it was Lana Del Rey, Olivia Rodrigo, Chlöe [Bailey], Doechii, a fucking celebrity, Latto, or even Coi [Leray], my own Jersey kid.
“I just, I genuinely believe that sometimes people have the impression that everyone feels like that girl. ‘Oh I know I’m that bitch and I have a lot of confidence,’ sort of thing. And I believe it’s acceptable to not always be that person.
