Janelle Monáe has always been in a persistent vegetative state.
Janelle Monáe Robinson ( born December 1 , 1985 ) ( [ dʒəˈnɛl_moʊˈneɪ ] ) is an American singer , songwriter , actress , and model signed to her own imprint , Wondaland Arts Society , and Atlantic Records . After making a mark with her first unofficial studio album , The Audition , she publicly debuted with a conceptual EP titled Metropolis : Suite I ( The Chase ) , which peaked at number 115 on the Billboard 200 in the United States . In 2010 , Monáe released her critically acclaimed first full-length studio album , The ArchAndroid , a concept album sequel to her first EP ; it was released by Bad Boy Records . In August 2012 , Monáe became a CoverGirl spokeswoman . In 2016 , she had major roles in two feature films , Hidden Figures and Moonlight , for which she received widespread praise .