Welcome to my new blog series Dr. A-L Tells: What to Read & Watch, where I get to share with you some of my favourite finds from books, films, & other gems that resonated with me so deeply I just had to write about them! In each post, I’ll keep it short & sweet with a 500-word-ish review of something I’ve recently read or watched, often centring Black people, identity, & diverse experiences around the globe.
This series mixes my personal reflections, feelings, & academic insights to offer a fresh take on stories that capture the richness & complexity of Black voices worldwide. I’m here to explore the layers of culture, history, & identity while unpacking how these narratives hit home for me on both intellectual & emotional levels. So, whether you’re in the mood for a thoughtful analysis or just a solid recommendation, I hope each post brings a quick but meaningful spark to your day! ✨
In this post, I dive into Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words (2024).
If you’ve ever wondered what a life shaped by misogynoir*, as defined by Dr. Moya Bailey, looks like, Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words offers an intimate, front-row seat. This 1 hour & 52-minute documentary, directed by the award-winning & provocative Nneka Onuorah, takes viewers on a raw journey through the life of Megan Thee Stallion aka Tina Snow aka Megan Pete. From birth to present day, the film explores Megan’s trials & triumphs, shedding light on the complexity of navigating fame as a dark-skinned Black woman, portrayed through the lens of a director who, I believe, intimately understands that experience.
The documentary is divided into three chapters: Chapter I: BIRTH OF THEE STALLION, Chapter II: ALONE IN THE SPOTLIGHT, & Chapter III: THE SAVAGE WITHIN. Blending animated sequences to capture memories & emotions with footage from her daily life, it opens with Megan celebrating her graduation from Texas Southern University—an achievement rare for someone of her artistic stature. But as the highs turn to lows, we see Megan’s personal traumas emerge, including the loss of her parents, betrayal by friends, & being publicly vilified by the media- especially Black male celebrities like The Game, P Diddy, & Joe Budden. Megan’s experience highlights the Black community's expectation that Black women must protect & prioritise Black men, often at their own expense, & it is clear why she poignantly describes the need to “create an armour.”
Megan’s rise has always been tinged with controversy, with some critics labelling her as “over-sexualised” & others viewing her as sexually empowered. This discourse intensified in 2020 when she was shot in the foot—an incident that reshaped her life & became a modern-day Anita Hill vs. Clarence Thomas moment. Unlike Hill, however, Megan was left without the public support of her peers. Notably, despite the privileges that should come with her fame & fortune, she had to lean on a close-knit circle of support—including Lydia, her cousin & another Black woman, along with Lydia’s baby, Phoebekah—to find the resilience needed to protect, defend, & ultimately bounce back.
The documentary reveals the intense contradictions Megan faces daily. While her team pushes her beyond her limits, even when she expresses the need to rest, she also battles an internal drive to push herself, often believing her achievements are never enough. Her milestones—receiving keys to the city of Houston, collaborating with icons like Beyoncé & Cardi B, chart-topping hits, & multiple awards—are proof of her groundbreaking accomplishments, yet these achievements seldom ease the relentless pressure she feels.
One of the most poignant aspects of the film is Megan’s openness about her struggles with mental health, including PTSD, anxiety, & depression. Her journey includes self-medicating with alcohol & sex, & ultimately the bravery to pause, seek therapy, & face her challenges. The soundtrack, featuring her songs like Plan B & Not Nice, serves as an emotional diary, adding depth to the narrative & reflecting Megan’s raw emotions at each stage of her journey.
Megan’s work ethic, creativity, & resilience shine through in this film. A phoenix rising from the ashes, she reintroduces herself to the world as more than just an entertainer: she’s a role model, feminist icon, mental health advocate, &—most importantly—a human being.
Although I don’t know this Queen personally, her story resonated deeply with me, & I felt an unspoken bond through our shared experiences as dark-skinned Black women. By the end of the documentary, I felt a newfound appreciation for Megan & will be adding her albums to my playlists, listening with an even deeper understanding of the journey embedded in her lyrics. Blessings to this Queen on her continued journey.
Watch Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words here now & please share your thoughts!
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