EXCLUSIVE: Janelle Monae Wears Pop of Yellow on Red Carpet, Explains Her Signature Black-and-White Look

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Janelle Monae is known for her signature black-and-white looks, but she rocked a pop of yellow at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Gala in Los Angeles on Thursday.

ET's Courtney Tezeno caught up with the Hidden Figures and Moonlight star, where she opened up about her ensemble, and the sweet meaning behind her black-and-white "uniform."


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"I picked this out a long time ago. I knew this is what I wanted to look like for Essence," Monae revealed.

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"I'm a no stress, no drama type of girl and my mom is here, too, tonight," she said. "My story has been really inspired by her… her wearing her uniform and being a high school janitor and me wearing my uniform, which is black and white, to honor her and pay homage to those who work every single day to make this country go round and around and around and work."

Monae, who used to work as a maid, has been rocking her black-and-white "uniform" for years as a tribute to those wearing their own uniforms in the working world.

"I just wanted to feel in my element," she explained.


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Monae has definitely come a long way, as both of her films, Hidden Figures and Moonlight, are nominated for Best Picture at Sunday's Oscars.

"Oh my gosh, I haven't even thought that far ahead because every time we see each other we celebrate," she said of celebrating with the Hidden Figures cast. "The fact that we were able to honor these three women, these three African American heroes, was already worth celebrating. Finally, they're hidden no more: Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, all the women who helped our first American Astronauts get to space have voices. They have names and they're story was told."


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