Shine Theory

Sparks fly when Amandla Stenberg and Janelle Monáe collide in a conversation that takes on racism, politics and a mutual love of sci-fi.

- Elaine Welteroth

Her name literally means power. At 20, Amandla exerts a rare, discerning on-screen force that is changing the moviemaking industry from the inside out, one riveting role after another. Each character she breathes life into seems touched by something out of this world. Off-screen, she’s steadily bringing visibility to the unseen through her work with the Art Hoe Collective, which is led by gender-nonconforming teens and young adults determined to create space for queer artists of colour. Who better to unpack the enigma that is Amandla Stenberg than Janelle Monáe, 33, who traffics high concepts onto mainstream stages from the Oscars to Madison Square Garden. Together, they explore how an epic sister-friendship got offthe ground, how they make art (and joy) in a world that would prefer they remain silent and what it takes to become an icon.

JANELLE MONÁE: First: pronouns! I want to make sure that I’m being respectful of how I’m referring to you. I know that the way we view ourselves and how we want to be addressed can change depending on where we are in life.

AMANDLA STENBERG: I love that you asked me. Thank you. I have felt, at times, that she/her pronouns weren’t entirely fitting, but I’ve never felt uncomfortable with them. It’s more important for me to open up that conversation around pronouns and how gender itself is a construct that doesn’t make much sense in our society.