All Access with Jae Stephens 🎫
Just five minutes...
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This May, Jae Stephens has been on FLO’s “Access All Areas Tour” and her final show opening for the British R&B girl group was on Thursday (May 22) at the Hollywood Palladium. Of course I had to be there. I arrived right before she hit the stage, which was promptly at 8:30 p.m. The crowd was heavy and the fans were ready. Opening with her SELLOUT cut “WET,” Jae went through the EP’s tracks “Girls Don’t Cheat,” “PDA,” and after being bullied by the JaeBaes, gave in to the demands and performed the iconic “Body Favors.” She also taught the crowd the words to her newly released single “That’s My Baby” and performed “SMH” aka “So Many Hoes” — the mic was ON. Confirmed.
Shortly after that, I was summoned back stage by her manager who escorted me to her room where Jae greeted me with a hug and apology for being “too sweaty.” Honestly, it was fine. There was one problem though. My phone was on its death bed and it needed a charge. Thankfully Jae came through and offered up her charger for my poor iPhone.
As I sat down next to her, she was staring into the abyss very intently as if something was on her mind. Suddenly, she offered me the thickest cookies I had ever seen in my entire life. I suspected they were scones and she assured me that they were indeed cookies. I grabbed one, took a bite and they were indeed very thick, but also tasty. The tastiest I have ever had. So tasty, I am still day dreaming about those cookies as I type this.
Then it was time to get what I came for — five minutes with Jae. Read our short and sweet conversation below.
Alright Jae. Let's do this. First question I have — I want to talk about beyoncebeytwice.
Jae Stephens: *uncontrollable laughter*
Did I say it right?
JS: I'm sorry, I spit on your cookies.
Now you have to give me another one.
JS: You can have as many as you want. I can't eat that shit. It's so thicc.
Yes, what about her?
Did I say it right?
JS: You can honestly say it however you want to say it. I let everyone just speak from the heart when they pronounce it. What did you say?
Beyoncé Bey Twice.
JS: That's how I say it. I've heard Bey Once Bey Twice — which doesn't make any sense.
Bey Once, Bey Twice?
JS: I've heard Bay Once Bay Twice — which I'm just like…her name is Beyoncé. You could at least get that part right.
Ooh, BEY ONCE, BEY TWICE?? That's clever.
JS: Wait…what do you mean? You didn't know?
I just was saying Beyonce Bey Twice. It's like you're the second Beyonce. The second coming.
JS: There you go. Bey Once Bey Twice. That's where it all begins for me.
Okay…So, obviously, Beyoncé knows who you are.
JS: Yes, she checks up on me.
Clearly. So, what song of yours do you feel like is her favorite ?
JS: Of mine? Wow, that's a crazy question that I've never thought of in my life. Okay, let me enter Delulu Land a little bit.
*taps her head and enters Delulu Land real quick*
JS: I feel like Beyoncé would really appreciate “Kiss U Back.” I feel like “Kiss U Back” is a classic. It's got vocals, it's got a little sex appeal, it's got a nice groove to it. It reminds me of something that could have been on 4.
Ooh, that's my favorite Beyoncé album.
JS: She's up there. She's up there for me.
That's THEE Beyoncé album.
JS: I feel like she would like that one because she appreciates a classic record and to me, that feels like one of my more classic sounding records.
What's an inside joke that only be you and the JaeBaes would get?
JS: “The Raisin Song.”
“The Raisin Song” — Why do you make that face?
JS: 'Cause I hate it. And I don't ever…I don't even want to talk about it right now.
You’d never perform it live?
JS: No. I don't even remember how it goes. They remember how it goes more than I do and they keep bringing it up. I can never be free. I'm gonna let them have that inside joke. I personally am moving on.
What emoji would you say describes your vibe?
JS: My vibe? The one with your tongue out. 😜
What's next for you? This is the last stop [of the tour].
JS: OMG, it is the last. It's very bittersweet, but it's not gonna be chill for long, 'cause I'm shooting a music video next week for the next single and then the next project is coming out. Then we might be doing some more shows to wrap up the year.
I'm really excited. We're hitting the ground running with this next project. I'm excited for everyone to hear it.
What music video? “That's My Baby”?
JS: Well, no. This song isn't out yet. We got one more in the vault.
I'm assuming with the songs you've been releasing, there's a project coming out soon.
JS: Yes, there's absolutely a project. So “SMH,” “That's My Baby,” and this next one that we're shooting my video for — which I haven't even teased, which is so unlike me. You know, I talk too much on the internet.
No one's heard it. So that'll be like. I'm shooting a video for it and they're all going to be on this next project. I'm excited for everyone to hear.
If you prefer the visual to this interaction, watch the interview in full below.