Janelle Monáe is the HalloQUEEN of AMC’s FearFest!
The network has named the actress and singer as the host of its annual horror-centric programming block, “featuring over 700 hours of iconic horror film franchises, new series, specials and more,” according to an official release from AMC.
PEOPLE has an exclusive look at the trailer for FearFest, which stars Monáe, 38. Dressed in her signature black-and-white — a tuxedo, at that, giving shades of her 2010 “Tightrope” music video — the award-winning artist expertly channels The Twilight Zone and Alfred Hitchcock.
“Behind this door is a month-long bash of your favorite fears: FearFest,” she begins before launching into some of its programming, from Halloween to Child’s Play, Carrie, The Shining and more.
Speaking with PEOPLE about her gig, the Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery actress and self-professed Halloween/horror fanatic says, “It just feels like an organic fit, especially if you know me and you know my love for Halloween and horror.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.
“When I was asked to be the host and to be their HalloQueen, I was like, ‘This feels so right, because every movie you guys show, I watch, and I’ve watched since I’ve been little,’ ” Monáe continues, adding that AMC has “done just a remarkable job of being a source of a place of joy for all of the horror enthusiasts like myself.”
The Dirty Computer singer has also curated her own film list from the programming block titled “Janelle Monae’s ‘FearFest’ Faves,” which includes An American Werewolf in London, Candyman (1992), The Fly, Killer Klowns From Outer Space, Puppet Master, Carrie, Jeepers Creepers and more.
Halloween and Child’s Play also top her list, she tells PEOPLE — and she even used to dress up like the killer doll Chucky from the latter franchise as a young child, down to the Good Guy-esque overalls, striped shirt and a mask.
“I would walk around school in [the mask] and then I would go home and sleep in it,” she recalls. “And then somebody stole it and I don’t know what happened after that. I never got it back again.”
And while she was a child at the time, “I wasn’t young enough to not know what I was doing,” Monáe says. “I was like, ‘Yes, this is what I want to do. I want to wear this all day.’ I never took it off.”
The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!
Monáe has been open about her love of Halloween and dressing up for the spooky holiday, having put together impressive costumes in past years ranging from a lifelike chameleon to Johnny Depp’s version of Willy Wonka, Diva Plavalaguna from The Fifth Element and Jim Carrey’s The Grinch.
“Halloween, and transforming into characters, it brings me joy,” the Antebellum actress tells PEOPLE. “I can be working, and moving and traveling, and trying to problem solve, and I didn’t get a chance to get the lyrics right on this song. But whenever people want to talk to me about Halloween, my cortisol levels just drop, and I’m happier.”
She also believes that “the rest of the world is finally realizing and giving themselves permission to be silly, to be gory, to be frightful, to be angelic — whatever that is, you’re giving yourself permission to experiment.”
“And that’s what I love about it. And so I give myself that permission too,” Monáe adds.
The full schedule for AMC’s FearFest, running all the way through Oct. 31, is available at amc.com.
Read the full article here
