Janelle Monáe is known for her elaborate and meticulously planned Halloween costumes, often spending years in preparation. However, when the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) went on strike in 2023, the multitalented entertainer decided to delay her grand reveal out of solidarity with her fellow performers. “SAG-AFTRA issued guidelines discouraging members from dressing up like film or television characters, so I stood in solidarity with my people and switched up my plan,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. But Monáe didn't abandon the idea entirely. She kept her chosen character a secret until just hours before Halloween 2024, when she unveiled a breathtaking transformation into the beloved title character from Steven Spielberg’s 1982 science fiction classic E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
On October 30, Monáe dropped a series of videos and images on Instagram for her five million followers. The posts depicted E.T. living a full day-in-the-life: eating breakfast, getting dressed in both men’s and women’s clothing, and flying high in the sky on a bicycle with the caption “Janelllllliott.” The look was so convincing that fans and celebrities alike were stunned. The costume featured the iconic elongated fingers, glowing chest, and oversized head, all rendered with prosthetic makeup and animatronics. But Monáe added a modern twist: in one image, E.T. wears a Kamala Harris 2024 campaign pin, a clear political endorsement just days before the November 5 presidential election.
This is not the first time Monáe has used Halloween for political commentary. In 2020, she famously transformed into the fly that landed on then-Vice President Mike Pence’s head during a televised debate. At the time, she said the costume was a call to action: “I did it as a way to encourage people to get out and vote ahead of the 2020 election—and to discourage voters from supporting Pence and his running mate, former President Donald Trump.” Her 2024 E.T. costume continues that tradition, blending pop culture nostalgia with civic engagement.
Monáe’s Halloween transformations are legendary for their complexity and artistry. She works with a dedicated team of stylists, special effects and makeup artists, creative directors, and videographers to bring her visions to life. For the E.T. costume, she teamed with visionary photographer Pol Kurucz, who had recently photographed her for a cover story in The Hollywood Reporter. That feature, published a week before Halloween, depicted Monáe as an original monster inspired by iconic screen villains like Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll. Kurucz shared on Instagram, “Thank you a billion times for making my childhood dream come true, Janelle Monae.” The collaboration underscores Monáe’s commitment to treating Halloween as a serious creative endeavor, often spending upward of five hours in the makeup chair to fully embody a character.
Monáe, 38, is a singer, actress, and creative force known for her genre-bending music and bold visual storytelling. She has starred in films like Hidden Figures, Moonlight, and Harriet, and her albums—such as The ArchAndroid, Electric Lady, and Dirty Computer—are celebrated for their Afrofuturistic themes and social commentary. Her Halloween costumes have become an annual highlight, with past appearances as a medusa, a tiger, and a time-traveling robot. But E.T. holds special significance: it was the first movie she ever saw in a theater, and she has described it as a defining influence on her imagination.
“Halloween is such a happy space for me,” Monáe told The Hollywood Reporter. “It has been since I was a kid. It opens a larger conversation of how do we become agents of joy? How do we become agents of happy? How do we become agents of imaginary? I’m just doing what I want to see more of. Bringing Halloween experiences and creative experiences is heart work, not hard work. I do this because my heart needs it.”
In addition to the social media reveal, Monáe appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show in full E.T. makeup, marking the costume’s small-screen debut. She also posted a behind-the-scenes video showing the transformation process, from the application of silicone prosthetics to the final lighting tests. The amount of detail is staggering: the E.T. costume includes movable fingers, a mechanical neck, and a special harness that allows the wearer to simulate the character’s iconic waddling walk.
The political dimension of the costume has drawn attention in the final stretch of the 2024 campaign. Monáe has been an outspoken advocate for voting rights and social justice, and her endorsement of Kamala Harris aligns with her long history of activism. In 2020, she performed at rallies and used her platform to mobilize young voters. This year, by placing a Harris pin on E.T.’s chest, she connects the nostalgia of a beloved alien to the urgency of the election.
Monáe’s approach to Halloween is deeply collaborative and immersive. For each costume, she develops a backstory and often goes method during the process, staying in character for hours to capture the right mood and energy. The E.T. series includes shots of the character brushing its teeth, reading a newspaper, and even taking a selfie—all executed with deadpan humor and meticulous attention to texture and lighting. Photographer Pol Kurucz, known for his surreal and cinematic style, was the perfect partner for this project. He has worked with Monáe on multiple occasions, and their creative chemistry is evident in the final images.
The response from fans has been overwhelmingly positive. Many noted the cleverness of the political statement, while others were simply awed by the craftsmanship. The costume has been praised as one of the best celebrity Halloween looks of 2024, alongside transformations by Heidi Klum and others. Monáe’s ability to blend high art, popular culture, and activism has solidified her reputation as a cultural icon who uses every platform—including Halloween—to inspire and engage.
In the end, Monáe’s E.T. costume is more than just a funny photo series. It reflects her lifelong love of film, her commitment to her craft, and her belief that imagination and joy can be powerful forces for change. As she said, “Heart work, not hard work.” And with that, Janelle Monáe once again proves that she is the undisputed queen of Halloween.
Source: Yahoo News News