Asia Monét on Music, Growth, and Embracing Every Version of Herself

Photography by Jonny Marlow, Hair & Makeup by Nichole Ray.

Asia Monét has never known a life far from spotlight performance. From her earliest years as a dancer to her evolution across television, acting, and music, she has grown up with audiences watching each new version of her take shape. But for Asia, that history is not something to outrun. It is something to honor, carry, and transform.

As she enters a new chapter of music, Asia is leaning further into the sounds, visuals, and confidence that feel most true to her now. Inspired by the energy of ’90s and 2000s R&B, her upcoming work reflects an artist who is both deeply aware of where she started and fully invested in where she is going. In conversation with LO’AMMI, Asia opens up about the lessons that shaped her, the realities of growing up on screen, the role dance continues to play in her life, and why embracing every version of herself remains central to the journey.

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You've spent most of your life performing in front of audiences, whether through dance, television, or music. Looking back, what lessons from those early years have stayed with you the most as you step into this new era of your career?

It’s true, I feel like I’ve lived many lives throughout my life in entertainment. A lot of lessons learned through trial and error. Some things that have stuck with me are: “Don’t stop when things stop being easy, cause when things get hard, there’s always someone out there who wants to work harder than you.” People don’t have to love you and what you do, but YOU have to love you and what you do. As I enter this new era of my career, I continue to grow, learn, make mistakes, and thrive. That’s the most beautiful part, you never stop learning and evolving. 

Tell us more about your upcoming music, as it marks the beginning of a fresh chapter for you. What can listeners expect from this next body of work, and how does it reflect where you are personally and creatively today?

I'm so excited for this new era of music. It’s so unapologetically me. You’ll  be transported back in time with a continuation of my 90s/2000s R&B feel with a modern Asia touch. The projects to come will make you feel, dance, cry, love, and more. My life is a constant roller coaster, and I’m a LEO, so I always have to do my big one. These projects are just about staying true to myself and creating artistry based off my life and shared experiences. I want to be the artist I wanted to listen to growing up.

Dance introduced the world to Asia Monét Ray, but you've since expanded into acting and music as well. How do those different creative outlets influence one another, and which side of your artistry has surprised you the most?

Dance was and still is my life. It was an art form that allowed me to express myself in all aspects of life and bring that into my adulthood. It created opportunities I could’ve only dreamed of. It allowed me to create a name for myself and branch out into different fields such as music and acting. It brought me into spaces with people I was inspired by and people I had looked up to since I was little. It became the stepping stone into the dream reality I wanted for myself. Dance, Music, Acting, they are all artistries I’m so passionate about and they all co exist with each other in my life. 

Having experienced both reality television and more scripted acting, you've seen two very different sides of the entertainment industry. How did that transition shape your confidence as a performer and storyteller?

They couldn’t be more different, you’re right. The only similarity to me personally was a camera in my face at all times. Reality TV is so unique because there are reality shows you watch where what you see is exactly what you get. In my case, there was a lot of creative editing and situations that aren’t normal for the average person to relate to, which made it entertaining and good TV. It creates a sense of vulnerability, accepting all eyes will be on you. Scripted acting was so enjoyable and felt so natural to me.

Becoming a character, or someone so opposite of my normal self, was so fun. I’ve never been camera-shy, so that was never the problem. It took me a hot minute to earn respect from casting directors and the acting world to no longer label me as just a “reality star.” I hope to eventually be apart of a project that incorporates it all, dancing, singing, acting, something like the Cheetah Girls.

Your 2024 album showcased a more mature artistic voice and a deeper sense of self. What did creating that project teach you about your identity as a recording artist?

My self-titled album was so beautiful to create. Seeing myself write lyrics down and for them to blossom into the songs they’ve become was so crazy. It’s something I definitely don’t take for granted and a process that’s so difficult in the moment but so rewarding. It made me really realize who I wanted to be as an artist and create a new sense of self while writing the records. I was fortunate to have a team  that understood my vision, and I hope to only go up from here. BIGGER AND BETTER.

Many people feel like they already know you because they've watched you grow up on screen. How do you balance honoring that history while also introducing audiences to the person you've become today?

It’s funny because in some places in the world they are just now being introduced to 6-year-old Asia, which is crazy to think about. It’s such a shock to them when they find my socials and rediscover me and im 20. There’s so, so much more to me as a person than people have been able to see. I’m actually quite a private person, and I think I’ve become more private in my personal life since the majority of my childhood was televised and documented. I always remember how and why I got here. Where I am today. I don’t forget any of those experiences. 

What’s so amazing about having my life documented and people knowing me from such a young age, is that they get to see the evolution of me. Now, nearing 21, people have been watching my life unfold since I was 5. It really is so amazing that I can even say that. I'm super grateful. I can only hope that, as I grow more into the woman I want to be, I bring along the people who were there from the beginning and introduce myself to a new audience on my journey. 

Fashion, beauty, and visual storytelling have become important extensions of modern music careers. How would you describe your personal style, and how does it help communicate the artist you want the world to see?

I've always had a passion for fashion. It’s a big part of my life and self-expression. I'm heavily inspired by the 90s and 2000s and try to incorporate them into all looks, even if it’s just a sprinkle. I love leopard & cheetah print ‘til I die, and a lot of people caught onto that being a big inspiration surrounding my “Oh Boys” song rollout. I want my style to inspire others to be confident in their skin and find their niche. If you don’t  portray the artist you want to be in all aspects of your life it’s hard for people to really get an idea of who you are and your identity within your career path. 

You've successfully maintained a connection with fans across multiple generations, from those who first discovered you as a dancer to newer audiences finding your music today. What do you hope people take away from your journey as it continues to evolve?

That at the end of the day, I'm just a girl. It’s my first time living too. I'm a severe perfectionist who overthinks everything and is constantly striving to be better every day. The one thing I’m sure about is my identity as an artist. I’m still the fiery little girl who wants to be the best at everything and will never be satisfied ‘til I make my dreams a reality. Growing with me means loving all versions of me, and I’m excited for everyone to see this next chapter of my life.