Monifah Confirms Most of 90s R&B Starlets Were Dating Each Other

By: Amanda Anderson-Niles

R&B singer Monifah is back in the spotlight thanks to her role on TV One’s hit reality show “R&B Divas.” And with the return to the spotlight comes the magnifying glass to one’s personal life. So Monifah wasted no time and made sure she revealed her sexuality on her own terms before the show made its way to the network. While things are going great for Monifah in her romantic life and career these days, she did admit to HuffPost that she didn’t come out of the closet for attention or accolades. She even confirmed that despite what some people think, most of the biggest names in 90s R&B music were involved in lesbian relationships behind the scenes.

When it comes to coming out of the closet as a celebrity, Monifah says she thinks it’s very different for men to reveal they are gay:

“I don’t know if it’s easier. I just think it’s different. It’s a boys club. First of all, people directly go to the act of sex when it comes to homosexuality, which it’s not what it’s about. So of course it’s going to be a bigger deal about Jason Collins or Frank Ocean because it’s a guy.

“I also applaud them for their bravery and for paving the way for that next guy and for kids. So that they know that they’re not alone. And so that they know … they have everyday and extraordinary people who look like them, that feel like them and that they can identify with. That’s what’s important.”

 

She wasn’t looking for accolades when she admitted to being a lesbian:

“I didn’t come out to get accolades. I just showed my truth. I wasn’t trying to be a pioneer. I knew that it would help somebody and it has definitely helped me live my best life.”

 

And according to Monifah, a lot of the 90s R&B starlets were indeed dating each other:

“Oh yes. There were a lot of women that were dating each other on the scene in the ’90s.There were executives saying not to mess their money up and to keep it on the low (on both sides of the coin for the men and the women).”