Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images for Absolut ElyxJanelle Monae will bring the heat to the Academy Awards on Sunday.
The 34-year-old singer/actress, who starred in the Oscar-winning Moonlight in 2016, will be part of a “special performance.” But we’ll have to wait until the broadcast to find out what that performance is.
“I can’t tell you that,” she said Wednesday at Alfre Woodard’s annual Sistahs’ Soirée in Los Angeles, according to The New York Times reporter Kyle Buchanan. “I can tell you that I’m ready to light the stage on fire, for my ancestors and for Kansas City.”
The eight time-Grammy nominee was born in KC, then moved to New York City to study music and drama.
Several stars were full of joy on Instagram at the news of Janelle’s performance, including one of her cast mates from Harriet.
“Yeeeeeassssss,” wrote Cynthia Erivo, who’s nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, and Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures.
Taraji P. Henson commented, “SHINE BABY SHINE!!!” She starred with Janelle in Hidden Figures, which was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar in 2017.
In addition to her performance, Janelle will also star in a commercial during the Oscars for “The 1619 Project,” about the role slavery has played in America.
The Oscars air live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC.
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