American singer-songwriter and actress Janelle Monáe was BOTD in 1985. Born in Kansas City to a working class family, she was a star student, performing from a young age and writing her own plays and musicals. She won a scholarship to study at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City, dropping out to pursue her music career. In 2005, she was spotted performing at an open mic night by hip-hop duo OutKast, who featured her on their next two albums. Signed by Sean “Puffy” Combs to his Bad Boy Records label, she became a star with her 2010 debut album The ArchAndroid, a concept album about an androgynous android. Her single Tightrope, a dazzling fusion of hip-hop, rock and R&B, prompted comparisons with Little Richard, James Brown, Michael Jackson, Prince and Grace Jones. The album received rave reviews and a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary R&B Album, bolstered by Monáe’s electric live performances, typically wearing a tuxedo and performing James Brown-inspired dance moves. Her second album The Electric Lady, featuring guest singers Prince, Solange and Erykah Badu, peaked at No 5 on the Billboard Top 200. In 2018, her album Dirty Computer was Grammy-nominated for Album of the Year. She made an impressive Hollywood acting debut with a supporting role in the Oscar-winning queer-themed drama Moonlight, and played NASA mathematician Mary Jackson in the hit film Hidden Figures. She is set to play queer singer and activist Josephine Baker in a forthcoming TV biopic. Monáe identifies variously as queer and non-binary, and has embraced LGBTQ causes, dedicating Dirty Computer to young queer people dealing with bullying and ostracisation. Classily protective of her private life, Monáe was in a three-year relationship with actress Tessa Thompson. Her current relationship status is unknown.