Monáe's Viral Bowie Time-Travel Claim Draws Skepticism

Janelle Monáe told Lucy Dacus in Rolling Stone’s Musicians on Musicians series that she traveled back to the 1970s to see David Bowie perform Ziggy Stardust, a straight-faced claim that has gone viral. Dacus reacted with visible disbelief, and outlets noted the chronological impossibility — Monáe was born in 1985 and Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust tour was in 1972–73 (Bowie died in 2016). Monáe framed the anecdote as both a literal-sounding moment and a metaphor for how Bowie’s theatrical transformation inspired her to create alter egos, musical worlds and a queer-centered community. The clip prompted amused, supportive and incredulous responses across social media. Coverage has also situated the moment within Monáe’s broader creative work, including ongoing screenwriting and production projects, and her public persona and use of she/they pronouns.