It’s Normani’s world, and we’re just living in it. The former Fifth Harmony member turned flourishing solo artist is quickly making a name for herself in music. After a string of hit singles, including one that landed in the top five of the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop chart, a debut album is in the works and scheduled to drop later this year.

Though fans are (im)patiently waiting for said project, it hasn’t stopped them from showing love to the New Orleans/Texas-raised entertainer. Ahead are five times Normani Kordei Hamilton had her fanbase on the edge of their seats, from her gravity-defying dance moves to her refreshing vulnerability.

1. When one dance move started an internet challenge

The music video for Normani’s 2019 single “Motivation” was iconic. Between the nostalgic vibes to the hair and makeup stylings, there was so much to love. One particular part that had Twitter replaying over and over came when the Atlanta-born star did a pirouette, bounced a basketball with her knee and booty-bopped it when it fell from above.

Equal parts impressed and curious, the #MotivationChallenge was born, and eager fans were soon doing their best rendition of the move.

They weren’t quite as smooth as the original, but points for effort.

2. When she successfully sampled Aaliyah

Normani’s 2021 single “Wild Side” featuring Cardi B easily became the song of the summer when the video dropped last July. They both delivered on looks, and Normani’s choreography was some of the best we’ve seen in a while. Artists are no strangers to sampling songs in their own work, and fans were quick to notice a sample of the late Aaliyah‘s hit “One In A Million,” another timeless bop from a female R&B artist.

Supporters naturally approved of the sampling, with one even going so far as to say the 26-year-old is the best artist to use Aaliyah’s work in their own projects.

3. The way she shuts down every red carpet

Some celebs just look great in everything, and Normani is definitely one of them. For the 2021 Met Gala, she rocked a breathtaking Valentino gown that proved once again, Black women look perfect in yellow.

For this year’s festivities, the dancer showed off her pilates-toned abs in a black Christian Siriano ensemble only she could pull off.

 

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Other stunning fashion looks include a silver two-piece she donned at the MTV VMAs in 2021 and a desert-friendly outfit for Coachella 2022.

4. She's brutally honest about the challenges she has faced in the music industry

Fifth Harmony disbanded in 2018, and while some members saw early commercial success in their solo careers, the same can’t be said for Normani. During an appearance on Today on April 7, she opened up about being the only Black woman in a very pop group and the constant comparisons to others.

“Being the only Black girl, I think that our experience, if I’m just being quite transparent, is fairly different,” she said on the program. “Our adversities, our journey is significantly, significantly different. But I step up to the plate. I try to be the best that I can possibly be, and that’s pretty much all I can do.”

Those experiences and many more are why Normani took her time working on her debut album.

“I needed to figure out what I wanted to talk about and what was important to me,” the “Love Lies” singer continued. “And I’ve had the time to do that. So, this will really be an introduction to who I really am.”

5. She's not afraid to get vulnerable

Normani’s latest song “Fair” is a definite shift from her normal bops. The slowed-down track shows her mezzo-soprano voice, and the lyrics reflect a more morose moment in her life. Speaking exclusively to Today, Normani said the track was inspired by her own love life.

“When you go through heartbreak and adversity, that often creates the best record,” the philanthropist said. “And for me, this was really just an opportunity to showcase my vulnerability. I think that I’ve never really been comfortable with being vulnerable in front of people. So for me, this was really a breakthrough and really just shattering the idea of perfection.”

Judging by the responses on Twitter, it’s another hit.

With the album coming and hopefully a tour, we’ll be able to properly stan Normani in all her well-deserved glory. In the meantime, we’ll just be over here trying to bounce a ball off our bums.

Black Women In MusicBlack-musiciansNormaniNormani Hamiltonsingers