Janelle Monáe basically broke the internet when she stepped out of a spaceship—or rather, a very fancy dressing room—as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. It wasn't just a costume. Honestly, it was a full-blown cinematic event. For years, we’ve looked to Heidi Klum as the undisputed "Queen of Halloween," but 2024 felt like a massive torch-passing moment.
When Monáe showed up on The Jennifer Hudson Show waddling in foam latex, it wasn't just about the "wow" factor. It was about the weirdness. The commitment. The sheer, unadulterated nerdiness of a Grammy-nominated artist spending three entire years planning to look like a shriveled, beloved 80s alien.
The Janelle Monáe ET Costume: More Than Just Rubber and Glue
Most people throw together a costume on October 29th. Not Janelle. This specific Janelle Monáe ET costume was a labor of love that actually started back in 2021. Because of the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, she had to shelf the idea since actors were asked not to dress as struck characters. She stayed in solidarity. That’s why 2024 felt like such a massive release.
She worked with a heavy-hitting team at Autonomous FX, a legendary special makeup and animatronics studio. We aren't talking about a mask from a pop-up shop. This was a custom-sculpted, foam latex suit designed to mirror every wrinkle and texture of Steven Spielberg’s original puppet.
Two Different Versions of a Legend
Janelle didn't just have one suit. She had two.
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- The "Stubby" Version: This was the one she wore for the "Janelliott" photoshoot and her initial red carpet appearance. She was literally on her knees to get the proportions right. It featured animatronic eyes that blinked and a finger that actually lit up.
- The "Tall" Version: Later in the night, she switched into a version that allowed her to walk freely and, more importantly, dance. Both versions featured a tuxedo, which felt like a nod to her own signature style.
It's kinda wild to think about the physical toll that takes. Moving around on your knees for hours just to get the "waddle" right? That’s dedication.
Why This Costume Felt Different
Social media was instantly flooded with side-by-side comparisons because, in a cosmic coincidence, Heidi Klum also went as E.T. that same year. Talk about a glitch in the celebrity matrix. But while Heidi’s version was more of a high-fashion, "Mrs. E.T." interpretation with a blonde wig and hat, Janelle went for hyper-realism.
She wasn't trying to look "cool." She was trying to be E.T.
"I wasn't afraid to look silly. I wasn't afraid to investigate my fears and turn it into a costume." — Janelle Monáe via The Hollywood Reporter.
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She even used "Janelliott" to describe her dual role, posing as both the alien and the boy in the red hoodie. She recreated the iconic flying bike scene with such precision that some fans thought they were looking at archival footage from 1982.
The Tech Behind the Transformation
How do you turn a human being into a three-foot-tall alien without it looking like a cheap mascot suit? You hire the best. The team at Autonomous FX used multiple layers of prosthetics. They spent hours on the "sweat equity," as Janelle calls it. Some of her transformations in the past have taken upwards of nine hours in the makeup chair.
For the Janelle Monáe ET costume, the skin texture was key. Spielberg famously said E.T. was "more like a plant or a vegetable." Janelle’s team nailed that slimy, organic, translucent look.
Why the Finger Matters
The glowing index finger wasn't just a bulb. It was a mechanical piece that Janelle controlled. When she touched Jennifer Hudson’s hand on live TV, it wasn't just a gag—it was a performance art piece. She even used a stilted, raspy voice during interviews to stay in character.
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A Larger Message About Imagination
Janelle has mentioned before that she has a "Fairy Halloween Mother"—an anonymous benefactor who helps fund these massive creative projects. While some critics might see it as celebrity excess, Monáe views it as "heart work." She’s trying to remind people to play.
She often talks about how we lose our childlike spirit as we get older. By becoming a 42-year-old alien from a childhood classic, she's basically giving everyone permission to be weird. It's about bending the edge of possibility.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Big Project
You might not have a budget for animatronic eyeballs, but there are a few things we can learn from Janelle’s approach to creativity:
- Patience pays off: If an idea needs three years to bake (due to strikes or just getting the tech right), wait. Don't rush a half-baked vision.
- Commit to the bit: The reason Janelle’s costumes land so well is that she does the voice, the walk, and the "method acting." Total immersion beats a good outfit every time.
- Collaborate with specialists: She doesn't do this alone. Finding the right technical partners (like Autonomous FX) is what separates a hobbyist from a pro.
- Reinvent the classics: Taking a character from 1982 and putting it in a modern context—like E.T. eating a croissant—makes the nostalgia feel fresh and funny.
The Janelle Monáe ET costume will likely go down as one of the most technically impressive celebrity costumes in history. It wasn't just a fashion statement; it was a love letter to cinema and the power of staying a little bit strange.
To see the full impact of this transformation, you can look back at her previous "HalloQueen" hits, like her 2023 chameleon or the Diva Plavalaguna from The Fifth Element. Each one builds on a legacy of pure, unadulterated imagination that shows no signs of slowing down.
Next time you're planning a creative project, ask yourself: would I be willing to spend nine hours in a chair to make this perfect? If the answer is yes, you're on the right track.