Emerging singer Normani was right at home during her ESSENCE Fest performance on Sunday. The New Orleans native, who recently hit the road for the first leg of Ariana Grande's Sweetener tour, has experienced plenty of success since her former pop group Fifth Harmony went on indefinite hiatus last year—and performing in her hometown only added to the glow.
"I'm stronger than I give myself credit for," the singer says about one of the things she learned since going solo. "There's so many things I've learned not only as an artist, but also as a business woman."
Normani has built her name around major collabs that tug at your heart strings: "Dancing With A Stranger" wth Sam Smith and "Love Lies" with Khalid. Her latest single, "Waves" feat. 6lack, lets her powerfully magnetic vocals shine alone.
"Even though I'm a new artist, I've also taken what I've learned from the last seven years that I was in Fifth Harmony," she said. Regarding openning on tour for the "7 Rings" singer, she said they have more than a working relationship.
"It's been amazing. It's been the best experience ever and I'm just really grateful that I get to support such an amazing artist, I mean the biggest pop star in the world right now ... I genuinely can call her a friend of mine and I don't take that word lightly."
Her solo debut album is in the works and it's something she's been taking her time with. While her fans are at the edge of their seat, taking it slow has meant she's been able to put her all into it, as she said: "I want this album to represent and encompass all that Normani is."
