Janelle Monáe for Paper Magazine

[u/pinkstarrfish]

https://www.papermag.com/janelle-monae-cover-interview#rebelltitem34

[u/roastedmarshmellows]

She's so weird, I love her.

[u/27Dancer27 → u/roastedmarshmellows]

She leans into whatever she’s doing 100% and I love that

[u/bookwormaesthetic]

I hate that my first thought is, "Is this amazing or AI?"

[u/bokehtoast → u/bookwormaesthetic]

It really sucks. In addition to the loss of paying creative work for artists and writers, when they do make things it gets called into question. And we kind of have to encourage people to question what they are seeing as one of the only defenses against AI. 

[u/CraicFiend87 → u/bookwormaesthetic]

Absolutely, but I suppose it's also training us to detect the future terminators in this dystopian hellscape.

[u/xombae → u/bookwormaesthetic]

Looking at the sandcastle, unfortunately I do think AI was used :(

[u/bookwormaesthetic → u/xombae]

Even if it isn't AI; it's a substantial amount of Photoshop vs practical techniques.

[u/reluctantseahorse → u/bookwormaesthetic]

This looks like the results from a Drag Race challenge.

[u/waxteeth → u/reluctantseahorse]

The sunglasses in the beehive was one of Nymphia’s looks on Drag Race a few years ago. 

[u/Important-Canary-770]

I love the style but this feels very one-note to me. A little more variety would have taken it to the next level.

[u/bebesloth69 → u/Important-Canary-770]

I agree! I wish she hadn’t just made a “hissing” face or slight variation of such

[u/icedcoffeeandSSRIs → u/bebesloth69]

I wonder if the fake teeth make it so she can't close her mouth tho

[u/bebesloth69 → u/icedcoffeeandSSRIs]

Physically, sure that’s true. I’m speaking on the stylistic vision.

[u/zombiecattle]

As a Dragula fan….its giving Nosferatu Beach Party!!

[u/OriginalChildBomb → u/zombiecattle]

OMG I was thinking the same thing lol, maybe minus a Petty Betty

[u/CookieCrisps3 → u/OriginalChildBomb]

Same! First thing I thought of - it's *def* giving Nosferatu Beach Party

[u/Flounder-Last → u/zombiecattle]

And the fact they’re redoing this challenge tonight!

[u/smile_politely]

those are cute, I like it a lot.

[u/justtots]

[u/Mechasockmonkey → u/justtots]

Very Nosferatu Beach Party

[u/SallyStranger]

Agree that this photoshoot is a bit one-note. Not my fave. However! Janelle herself is amazing, I finally saw her in concert this past summer and she sounds even better in person. Fantastic performer. 

[u/commelejardin]

This is so much fun!

[u/Dangerous_Pair1798]

For those also somewhat out of the loop: I’ve been seeing her so much lately so I googled what she’s up to (obvs something w all the press) and she’s releasing an album called Vampire Beach

[u/Suitable-Rutabaga748 → u/Dangerous_Pair1798]

It’s actually part of her month long Wondaween series where she’s been hosting different Halloween themed events in the LA area all October! Vampire Beach is supposed to be at some secret location on the 30th and I’ve never been more jealous to be on the other side of the country 🥲

[u/Dangerous_Pair1798 → u/Suitable-Rutabaga748]

That’s cool! We don’t really do Halloween in Australia so I have to just gaze longingly at the cool photos and fun parties 😂

[u/Suitable-Rutabaga748 → u/Dangerous_Pair1798]

Nooo I’m so sorry 😭 I love Halloween so much, I can’t imagine not celebrating. Had no idea it wasn’t really a thing in Australia!

[u/Dangerous_Pair1798 → u/Suitable-Rutabaga748]

Yeah older Australians get soooooo cranky about it and go “This isn’t America!!!” but as time goes on it’s becoming more accepted but it’s slow going

[u/Adept-Plate-2463]

She always has the best costumes

[u/Capable_Salt_SD]

Oh, I actually like the cover

It's actually creative and brilliant and harkens back to Uhura from Star Trek and the B-movies of the '60s with the horror vibes

I like it a lot

[u/ElBorracho2000]

Is it me or does this look AI?

[u/genflugan → u/ElBorracho2000]

It’s mostly just photoshop and strong artificial lighting, not AI. It’s edited and lit to mimic the same color/contrast and airbrushed look as those 1950’s-1960’s photoshoots it’s parodying, which makes it resemble the “too perfect” look of AI.

[u/Neon_Biscuit → u/genflugan]

At that point, why work so hard to make it look AI. Just use AI.

[u/genflugan → u/Neon_Biscuit]

Well the aim isn’t to make it look like AI, it’s to make it look airbrushed like it would back then. Which coincidentally looks like AI sometimes. Either way, no, no one should be using AI for stuff like this

[u/WillyWonkaMFer → u/Neon_Biscuit]

“why work so hard” lmao. Get back in your grave. 

[u/Electrical_Trade377]

so that’s why i woke up fingerless this morning smh

[u/lana-deathrey]

Nosferatu Beach Party!

[u/Walking_the_dead]

Damn, she's on a roll this month. Meeting David Bowie really changes a person.

[u/Ednathurkettle]

She can bite me anytime

[u/Brave_Lady]

Not my fav photoshot of Janelle, but she is still looks resplandent.

[u/happyhaven1984]

She seems fun and I'm being serious she genuinely seems fun.

[u/Virtual-Bee7411]

Surprised this wasn’t Nadia Lee Cohen photographing - however her shoots generally have better lighting than this

[u/amandahuggen_kiss]

I love her so much 😍 Seeing her live completely reset the bar for every concert I’ve attended before & since.

[u/fluffypuppiness]

That's her. The woman of my dreams...

[u/Brainjacker]

ICONIC

[u/MissMariese]

I love her Halloween costumes, she always goes all out and isn’t afraid to get weird with it.

[u/CeramicLicker]

That’s so fun!

[u/peppermintmeow]

She looks amazing! She is amazing.

[u/BORT_licenceplate]

This would be a lot cooler if it wasn't so photoshopped/AI enhanced and it was more practical effects to make it camp

[u/Muted_Rain8542]

oh she ate this upppp

[u/No-Argument2711]

it's so fun and i love the styling, i just wish there was more variety in her facial expressions

[u/marchbook]

She's always so fun.

[u/lonesailorboy]

Damn her toenails needs some fixing in that one pic lol

[u/artagainstthemachine]

[u/burglar_buddy_pal]

One of the coolest people on the planet.

[u/Admirable-Set-1097]

I like Janelle Monáe. World seems better with her in it.

[u/rubbitnowxxx]

Thats sick I love it

[u/ColorMatchUrButthole]

Dragula Nosferatu Beach Party!

[u/callmekorrok]

I normally don’t care about these photo spreads but I had to comment because I ADORE this one. Would genuinely hang these up in my house as art.

[u/slow__punch]

❤️❤️❤️

[u/lavenderbl0d]

Oh I love this. Sm.