The Grammy Award winner talks to The Hollywood Reporter concerning the "no-brainer" model deal, a primary journey to the Tremendous Bowl and setting sights on Hollywood as a author, director and thespian: "We are going to see some appearing from Megan Thee Stallion this 12 months.
Megan Thee Stallion says she’s been consuming Flamin’ Scorching Cheetos “since beginning,” so when Frito Lay approached the Grammy-winning MC about showing within the model’s new Tremendous Bowl marketing campaign, she didn’t hesitate. To make issues additional spicy, the rapper seems reverse pop star Charlie Puth within the first mixed Flamin’ Scorching spot that includes each Doritos and Cheetos, debuting a pattern of the traditional Salt-N-Pepa observe “Push It.” The Hollywood Reporter caught up with Megan by way of Zoom forward of the Tremendous Bowl to speak about the advantages of being in a Tremendous Bowl spot (“I’m going to want a Cheetos closet”), her Hollywood aspirations (“I additionally actually wish to be a director”) and what she realized about herself in the course of the pandemic (“I needed to replicate”).
Of all of your accomplishments — Billboard chart rankings, a Grammy win with Beyoncé, headlining concert events, Coachella, and so forth. — the place does having a Tremendous Bowl business rank? It’s an enormous deal.
When individuals ask me, “Megan, when do you are feeling such as you actually made it?”, I really feel like that is a kind of occasions. I've to say, “You already know what? I've a Tremendous Bowl business with Flamin’ Scorching Cheetos. I’m most likely just a little well-known. I most likely made it just a little bit.”
I can verify. To prime it off, you’re doing it with a model that you simply stated you’ve loved your complete life. Are you a Flamin’ Scorching Cheetos or a Doritos individual?
I’ve undoubtedly been consuming Scorching Cheetos since beginning, however undoubtedly as I received older and I began discovering the Flamin’ Scorching world, now I make my nachos with Flamin’ Scorching Doritos. I actually can’t decide or select between the 2. You bought to eat one after which the opposite. The Flamin’ Scorching Doritos you may dip into something. It’s actually up within the air.
With model offers like this, I all the time surprise in the event that they’ve stacked your cabinets with luggage upon luggage …
I already had my inventory of Flamin’ Scorching Cheetos at house however since I’ve been working with them, it’s undoubtedly rising just a little bit extra. There’s an overflow. I’m going to want a Cheetos closet.
Talking of luggage, if you posted the Flamin’ Scorching picture on Instagram, one among your followers wrote, “If getting a bag was an individual,” referencing the success you’ve had with model offers. If you find yourself approached by manufacturers, what standards do you search for earlier than signing on?
I don’t comply with issues that don’t really feel genuine to me, issues that don’t actually transfer me or issues that don’t really feel actual to me. With Flamin’ Scorching Cheetos, it was a no brainer. I can speak about this for days. Ask me something about Scorching Cheetos, I’ll inform you. I actually eat it; I actually get pleasure from it. However undoubtedly, when I'm contemplating model offers, it needs to be one thing that makes me completely satisfied and one thing that I can promote you on.
One of many belongings you actually offered within the spot is your appearing. I do know you’ve had some alternatives come your means — there’s a movie you're connected to referred to as Greatest Man Marriage ceremony — however what are you able to inform me about your aspirations on that entrance?
I undoubtedly wish to be an actress, however I additionally actually wish to be a director. For me, I like films. I’m simply undoubtedly like a movie buff. And I don’t really feel like appearing ought to appear to be appearing. Any time I get the chance to behave, I simply behave like myself. I really feel like that’s what makes it come throughout so naturally. Undoubtedly, we'll see some appearing from Megan Thee Stallion this 12 months.
Why directing?
As a result of I prefer to create. Not solely do I like to jot down music, I like to jot down tales. I undoubtedly wish to see these tales come to life.
Again to Tremendous Bowl weekend. The place will you be when your business debuts?
I'm going to be on the Tremendous Bowl, and it’s my first time. I’m so excited. I’m so excited for the halftime present and simply the entire expertise normally. It’s about to be a film.
It’s about to be probably the most star-studded Tremendous Bowl ever, too. The Pepsi Tremendous Bowl Halftime Present lineup options legendary MCs, and your business samples Salt-N-Pepa, two extra legendary MCs. What does this second for hip-hop imply to you?
It simply makes me know that hip-hop is larger than ever. It’s all the time been so large, however I’m simply so completely satisfied that it’s so appreciated, and I’m so completely satisfied to be part of one thing that touches all people on this planet. All people is watching the Tremendous Bowl. These artists have been breaking floor for years, and to have this hip hop-themed halftime present, it’s such an enormous deal. Me being there as part of it, doing a remake of a Salt-N-Pepa tune — the OG sizzling women — I simply really feel like, sure, I'm doing the best factor. Sure, I'm a sizzling woman coach. Take a look at me making my mark in hip-hop.
Talking of creating your mark, I needed to ask about Coachella. It’s a stacked lineup that you're featured on. Should you had an opportunity, is there one other artist’s set that you simply wish to sneak away and see?
To start with, I’ve by no means been to Coachella, so I’m sneaking off, and I’m seeing all people as a result of I want this full expertise. I want I may have noticed Beyoncé dwell at Coachella, although, however hopefully someday once more, I'll. As quickly as I get executed performing and possibly even earlier than I carry out, I’m undoubtedly going to observe all people that I can.
Lastly, I’m curious what the pandemic was like for you. Did you be taught something new about your self in the course of the quiet occasions?
Being in that home on my own and with my canine and one different individual, I undoubtedly discovered that it's OK to be by your self. It's okay to take that psychological break. You don’t have to be round all people and their power 24/7. I simply undoubtedly needed to recharge throughout that point. I needed to replicate. I needed to develop into this Megan Thee Stallion that I'm proper now. When you may’t do one thing, you must determine. Nicely, what can I do now? How can I enhance, and I actually can’t make a transfer?
I had to determine new methods to be artistic. I had to determine new methods to get inspiration aside from being out and about. I might go outdoors. I might take walks. I’m doing issues on my own now. I’m actually simply determining, nicely, what’s occurring on this head? I used to be actually in a position to write some wonderful issues, and never solely was I writing music, I used to be writing tales. Having that point to myself, it undoubtedly put me in a great area.
Interview edited for size and readability.