What a monumental year it has been for Normani!
The 23-year-old is Cosmopolitan‘s latest cover girl — and for the mag’s December issue, the starlet opened up about finding herself through Fifth Harmony, being a black girl who does pop music, the creative process behind her smash hit single, Motivation, and so much more.
Related: Normani & Sam Smith’s Collab Got Snubbed In 2020 Grammy Nominations!
Normani took the music world by storm when her aforementioned debut solo single and its accompanying music video premiered in August. In the interview, she recalled adoring pop superstars like Britney Spears, Shakira, Christina Aguilera, Mandy Moore, and Jessica Simpson at a young age, idolizing their careers, and using it as fuel for the future.
However, none of those women looked like her, and when it came time to pull inspiration for the singer’s visuals, it was important to see more color on-screen in every way. She said:
“I told the director, ‘I want this to be as black as possible.’ I was like, let’s show black culture. Why does pop music have to be so white? Why don’t we make it a little bit more me?”
Hence, the very clear homage to African-American culture in entertainment with twerk-filled dance numbers and Beyoncé-inspired moments left and right throughout her vid.
In the feature, we also learn the former Fifth Harmony member used to be a very talented gymnast before she became a recording artist. Despite impressing her peers and getting looks from top coaches of the sport early on, Normani recalled liking gymnastics simply because it meant her true self could hide in plain sight behind the all of the glitz, glam, and her acrobatic skill.
She didn’t realize it at first, but the Atlanta native admitted she was drawn to the concept of a girl-group for the very same reason:
“I remember always being asked, ‘Why do you wanna be in a girl group? So you can hide?’ And that’s exactly what I was trying to do.”
The former Dancing With the Stars contestant added:
“I’m not sure what that turning point was but I was like, Normani is enough. You can be onstage and perform and you can be enough.”
Yass! You are MORE than enough, girl!
At one point, the performer offered a lighthearted take on why she and her former sisters on stage — Camila Cabello, Ally Brooke, Dinah Jane, and Lauren Jauregui — are no longer together. Downplaying any negative rumors about the split, she said:
“People do what people do—take the information they have and blow it up. I’m happy everyone has an opportunity ’cause we worked our asses off. We do our own things. We’re good.”
Normani also teased her upcoming album is going to be heavily influenced by R&B crooner, Brandy, and boasted an early stamp of approval on her growing career from none other than JAY-Z and Queen Bey:
“The specifics of it I like to keep to myself because it’s just so special. But Bey and Jay-Z have definitely been vocal about how much they want me to win.”
The artist sees herself as the next black pop superstar and noted, “Those women before me, I wanna finish what they started.”
With her efforts solely focused on making the music she loves, Normani suggested we won’t see her venturing off to pursue acting or anything of the sort:
“You’ll hear me more when I’m dancing than if we’re sitting here having a conversation. You’ll be able to see me.”
Nice!
We’re certainly rooting for you, girl, and all the exciting things to come! But, wait. Is the starlet actually upset about the interview?
Related: Normani Says Being In Fifth Harmony Took A ‘Toll’ On Her Mental Health
Many were inclined to think so, since she cryptically posted the following tweets late last night as the article popped up online:
Hmm…
Fans replied to the tweet showing support, and calling out the interview! One even said:
“Don’t let it get to you, sis. People always wanna put words in yourself mouth but you’re a queen and you know yourself better than anyone!”
I guess some can assume Normani felt she was misquoted, but, where exactly? We can’t spot anything off-the-wall in the original article (see HERE). Perezcious readers, do YOU?
She also hasn’t shared the cover story on social media yet — and considering it dropped hours ago, that’s telling as well.
Before you go, check out the glossy’s cover shot:
And then let us know your theories about all of this in the comments section (below)!
[Image via WENN/Avalon]
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