Monica Addresses Not Being A Bigger Star: "I Made The Choice Not To"

BY Erika Marie 2.8K Views
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Monica, Career, Instagram Live
The singer shared that she was offered many opportunities but wasn't willing to make "sacrifices" that others were.

She's been readying the release of her forthcoming album and hinted that she's been in the studio with The Neptunes, but we haven't received a project from Monica in years. Her talent is both undeniable and applauded, but some feel as if Monica could have reached even greater heights in her career. She recently hopped on Instagram Live to answer a few questions from fans, and in the process, she addressed why she decided to make certain choices and business moves.

“I’ve always bared my soul and was transparent, which I catch a lot of flack for, all the time. But I’m still cool with it because if I don’t do nothin’ else, I’m going to be me,” she reportedly said. Monica also acknowledged that because she opted to maintain her authenticity, that may have contributed to her not being as big of an entertainer as some people expected.

"Listen, I would have been a much bigger star, a much wealthier woman, had I put on for you," the singer added, also mentioning that she regularly sees artists doing just that. "That was a choice, a decision that I made. A lot of the stuff that you haven’t seen me do, is not because it wasn’t offered. It was because I made the choice not to. I got all the calls, but I knew what people were sacrificing to do what they were doing. I didn’t want to sacrifice that.”

Watch her Instagram Live below to hear more from the Atlanta artist.

[via]


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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