Normani is speaking out to Billboard!.
In a new interview, the Dancing With A Stranger singer spills about how she struggled with her race and identity while a member of Fifth Harmony — as well as how her time with the group is shaping her identity and solo success to come.
Video: Give A Listen To Normani’s New Collab With Sam Smith
But first, ch-ch-check out her stunning cover shot for the music mag (below):
Saying she found parallels between her time at a predominantly white elementary school and being the only black woman in the group, the 22-year-old revealed she often felt she couldn’t turn to her bandmates:
“I don’t think they had the tools that they needed, because it’s not their experience. I can give them credit for trying to be there for me, but at the same time… The girls don’t experience things the way I did.”
In 2016, fans of bandmate Camila Cabello believed Normani shaded her during a Facebook Live session, and Camila’s fans came out attacking her with racial slurs and death threats, despite being told by Camila to back off.
Normani says her bandmates tried to help:
“They tried to be there for me as best as they could.”
Operative word being “tried”?
She goes on to shares how things really took a toll on her mentally:
“You think, ‘Why am I the least followed in the group?’ Even if you don’t recognize that you’re paying close attention to it, it takes a toll on your confidence. You worry — is it me? Is it because I’m black? Or am I just not talented?”
Since the unraveling of the group in 2017, each of the five members have gone their separate ways, but she lets questions of who will be the most successful solo artist roll off her back:
“Honestly? I’m in such an amazing place that I don’t feed into any of that. I’m way too blessed to even allow myself to focus on that. This is my time. Just like [Cabello] had an amazing run. I am so proud of everything that she’s doing. She’s nominated for a freaking Grammy! Like, that is amazing. And all from what girl group? Fifth Harmony. Like, that s**t’s fire. And I know that all of us are more than capable of doing that. I’ve come to believe that I am that talented. Before, I didn’t wholeheartedly believe that.”
Keep your chin up, Normani!!
[Image viaIvan Nikolov/WENN.]
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