Kehlani and Monaleo Open Up About the Realities of Being Working Moms in Music
At a Billboard House panel presented by BetterHelp, Kehlani and Monaleo discussed the challenges of maintaining personal identity while raising children. Kehlani admitted that motherhood is a nuanced struggle, especially for young working moms who want time for themselves without guilt. Monaleo emphasized that accepting imperfection and making mistakes is part of the journey, which humanizes the experience for mothers under pressure.
The panel occurred at the Billboard House summit during the 2026 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players celebration, moderated by a licensed perinatal mental health counselor and a Billboard editor. Kehlani, a single mother and primary provider, noted that her daughter's excitement now fuels her career reinvention, whereas she previously considered quitting.
Monaleo explained that parenthood made her songwriting more deliberate, as she now seeks to embed educational themes into her tracks for her son and other young listeners. She acknowledged past lyrical missteps and emphasized the importance of showing up imperfectly for her child.
This candid discussion could resonate widely with working mothers in creative fields, offering validation for those struggling with guilt and perfectionism. By openly addressing mental health and the pressure to be "superwomen," the artists may help normalize seeking support and accepting imperfection. This could influence fans and industry peers to prioritize self-care, potentially shifting workplace expectations for touring and recording schedules to better accommodate parenting, though broader structural changes remain uncertain.