Asia Monét: From Dance Moms Star to Rising Recording Artist

Photographer: Perazena / Asia Monét for RYMER&Co

From television to music, Asia Monét continues to evolve as an artist with authenticity and ambition. In our exclusive conversation, she opens up about her creative journey, the lessons she's learned and the exciting road ahead.

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We have readers in different countries, could you introduce yourself for those who might not know you?

Hi my name is Asia Monét, I'm a R&B Recording Artist, Dancer & Actress.

Becoming the youngest StarPower National Champion at just five years old is extraordinary.

How did your family help you manage that level of success so early?

My family has always been super supportive and has always let me do what my heart desired, allowing me to be a dancer, a gymnast, and an ice skater and navigating what my true passions truly are. Both of my parents being familiar with being in the public eye allowed me to almost be desensitized to success and always keep myself humble and strive for more in this life being that young I had no idea what impact I even had on the dance world or even had on myself but now looking back at it, it was a start of something so much bigger than me & I'm so blessed. 

What do you remember most from your early competition days: the pressure, the discipline, or the excitement of performing?

It’s funny because even though my parents kept me incredibly disciplined and made me the hard worker I am today, it never felt like work. It was always so enjoyable. It was so exciting. I loved performing for people. I loved performing for myself. I love the entertainment aspect of performing. I just loved putting on a show for people. My life is definitely not the ideal for people. It does require a lot of hard work, continued growth and a lot of no’s and frustration but at the end of the day it’s so rewarding. It has opened so many doors for me and it has made me excited to enter the doors that haven’t even been opened yet..

Having your own Lifetime docuseries, Raising Asia, is rare for someone so young. What did that

experience teach you about yourself and the industry?

My childhood and my life could not be further from normal. Having people record your every move and film you day and night every day as a child creates such a weird sense of self.

It makes you so much more aware of who you are good and bad. As I got older, it made me feel as though everybody was watching my every move to the point where I felt like i had to be perfect all the time but at the same time people can now see my growth,  I can always go back and look at who I was at one point and reminisce and compare then versus now. 

Photographer: Perazna

How did your transition from dance into scripted acting roles like Grey’s Anatomy and American

Crime Story happen?

I had always loved acting and had always wanted to test the water with it. Once I stopped reality TV, I was blessed with major back to back opportunities that were such an experience.

Grey's Anatomy had been a show I binged for years, and Ryan Murphy and the American Crime Story series had been something I had always wanted to be apart of and if really made my dream a reality.

When did you start to truly see yourself as a recording artist, not just a dancer or performer?

Since I was a little girl I had loveeeed music. Singing, performing, you name it. Music moved me, it was all around me. So when i was about 8, I started taking it seriously and looking at it as my future. I love being an artist and being able to express myself through music. It has been such a creative outlet and the most rewarding experience and I cant wait to see whats in store for me. 

You’re entering a new era with upcoming music releases this summer. How would you describe this new phase in your artistry? Does this new direction feel more like a reinvention or more like a deeper version of who you already are?

I'd say this next era is a deeper version of myself. More raw, more in depth & more me.

A new wave of growth with more stories to tell and more music to make. I want people to really connect with this era and me as i navigate life.

Who would be your dream collaboration, and what do you think the two of you could create

together?

Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, SZA, Summer Walker, Leon Thomas, Teyana Taylor, Kehlani, the list goes on. As for what we would create? ABSOLUTE MAGIC!

How would you describe your relationship with social media today, especially growing up in the

public eye and still connecting with a global audience?

Social media is such a crazy thing. It has so much influence on the world today for good and bad. I love that it allows me to connect with my audience and reach audiences that havent even heard of me before. It's such a blessing to be able to connect with people all around the world through social media. Now that I'm older I have control over my own narrative and creativity + self expression which is so lovely.

When you think about the little girl who started dance competitions at five years old, what would you tell her today?

I would tell her I'm proud of her. The things she's overcome, the continuous drive through adversity and hard times, that one day all the hard work with pay off and dreams wont seem so far. Everything happens for a reason and God was and will always be on my side. 

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Journalist: D.R.

Courtesy of Icon Publicity #AsiaMonet #Music #DanceMoms