American star Janelle Monae has came out as non-binary.
The award-winning, 36-year-old rapper made the revelation on Jada Pinkett Smith's Red Table Talk show on Facebook Watch.
Monae had previously come out as pansexual in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine in 2018 - the description given to a person who does not limit their sexual choices based on gender, gender identity, or biological sex.
On the change in their gender identity, Monae said: "I'm non-binary, so I just don’t see myself as a woman solely.
"I feel all of my energy. I feel like God is so much bigger than the 'he' or the 'she'.
"And, if I am from God, I am everything. But I will always, always stand with women.
"I will always stand with black women. But I just see everything that I am.
"Beyond the binary. When I see people, I see their energy first.
"I don't see how you identify. I feel that opens you up to fall in love with whoever - with any beautiful spirit."
Monae appeared with their mother Janet on the talk show that is hosted by Pinkett Smith on the social media platform. In January 2020, Monae used the hashtag #IAmNonbinary on Twitter, which led to fans speculating that they were coming out as non-binary but the Wondaland Arts Society CEO clarified at the time that the post was just intended as a show of support to the community, as a means of raising awareness and visibility.
The Red Table Talk episode started with Pinkett Smith mentioning the now infamous incident at The Oscars when her husband Will Smith slapped Chris Rock for making a joke about her alopecia. She made no further reference to it, but did promise that it will be discussed on the show in the future.
Pinkett Smith did, however, issue a written statement at the beginning of the fifth series of her Facebook Watch show. It read: "Considering all that has happened in the last few weeks, the Smith family has been focusing on deep healing.
"Some of the discoveries around our healing will be shared at the table when the time calls. Until then…the table will continue offering itself to powerful, inspiring and healing testimonies like that of our incredibly impressive first guest."
The 50-year-old media personality's husband struck Rock minutes before winning the Best Actor award for his role in King Richard, where he played the father of legendary tennis sisters Venus and Serena Williams. Two weeks later, Smith was given a 10-year ban from attending any of the Academy's events, although he had already tended his resignation at that point.
Red Table Talk streams every Wednesday on Facebook Watch at 9am PST.
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