What a year it’s been for Victoria Monét in 2023! Her debut studio album, JAGUAR II, dropped in August, featuring 11 tracks and collaborations with artists like Lucky Daye, Earth, Wind & Fire, Buju Banton, and even her two-year-old daughter.
In a recent Mixmag cover story (published on Dec. 20), Monét shared her reflections on the incredible success she’s experienced this year. She also revealed her dreams of working on a full-length project with KAYTRANADA. During the interview, the “On My Mama” singer spilled the details on a surprise invitation she received to attend the premiere of Beyoncé’s RENAISSANCE film.
Describing the experience, Monét emphasized the importance for fans to witness the effort behind such a grand production. “Just to see her have a 27-year career, you don’t see that a lot,” she expressed to the outlet.
Beyoncé’s RENAISSANCE documentary made waves, raking in over $20 million in ticket sales after its global debut on Dec. 1. Notably, it soared to the top spot as the No. 1 movie in the U.S., earning a remarkable 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. What an exciting journey for Victoria Monét in the midst of a stellar year!
Victoria Monét has always been open about her admiration for Beyoncé. In a recent interview with Elite Daily on Tuesday (Dec. 19), she shared that the music icon has been a significant influence since the early days of her career. Monét, an Atlanta native, praised Beyoncé’s 2016 album “Lemonade,” noting how it courageously addressed women’s experiences in relationships.
Recalling a personal connection to Destiny’s Child, Monét revealed, “At the time, I was in a play at my church, and one of the last songs we had to learn was Destiny’s Child’s [‘Gospel Melody’ from their ‘Survivor’ album]. Me and two other girls learned the song together. Actually, I guess that was my first real girl group experience.”
In a feature with Mixmag, Monét shared an exciting encounter during her “The Jaguar Tour” in London—none other than meeting Janet Jackson. She expressed her surprise, saying, “I knew FLO were coming, but my team knew about Janet before. My security said, ‘And that’s where Janet’s going to sit.’ I was like, ‘Janet… Janet Jackson?’”
Reflecting on the possibility of playing Janet Jackson in a future project, Monét shared her nervousness after the show, wondering if the encounter served as an inadvertent audition. “In some world, what if this is an audition for if I ever got to play her? After we spoke after the show, I replayed that moment so many times in my head, like, did I say the right thing?”
Monét’s album “JAGUAR II” made waves on various Billboard charts, including Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs. It even reached No. 4 on the Rhythmic chart. The album earned a nomination for Best R&B Album at the 2024 Grammy Awards held last month, marking another high point in Monét’s impressive journey.
