Normani is absolutely stunning on the newest cover of Women’s Health, published on November 17. The “Motivation” singer, 24, lends plenty of fitness motivation in the December issue, where she discusses her go-to workouts amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, among other health tidbits. Normani models a number of designer swimsuits — one of which (on the cover) includes a neon long sleeve top and matching bottoms by Gigi C Bikinis.
The face of Urban Decay cosmetics tells the magazine that she’s spent quarantine working on a stronger mind-body connection. “I’ve been able to meditate more and take a time-out before allowing anybody else to affect my energy,” she says, explaining, “Before I talk to anybody, before I look at a text, before I go on Instagram, I center myself in my room and pray and do breathing exercises and create my own space so that I have a foundation to walk on throughout the rest of the day.”
Normani has even added yoga to her daily routine, which she says has allowed her to become more focused in everyday life. “It’s spiritual for me. I’m working out, but I’m also becoming more in tune with my body,” she admits. “Having more awareness about what’s going on pushes me to be in the now and to breathe, which is something I desperately needed because I’m always thinking ahead or dwelling on something that could’ve been better. I did not know I needed this time as much as I did because I was going, going, going,” she explains. “But now, I’m able to be more intentional and give things the proper focus they deserve.”
In addition to yoga, Normani has also taken up hiking, which has become one of her favorite physical activities. “Doing it with a mask is hard, but I’m making it happen. I need to prioritize being more connected to nature,” she says, adding, “I’m motivated by making sure I’m always working toward something.”
Another thing that’s strengthened her mind-body connection is her newly adopted way of positive thinking. “Words of affirmation are new for me,” Normani reveals. “I look at myself in the mirror and manifest and speak things that I want to happen as if they already did, as if I’m already that version of myself… I’ve tried to flip it and control that narrative for myself.”
After becoming more in-tune with her mind, body and soul, Normani feels more connected with her music than ever before. “For a long time, I was stressed out about checking boxes like, ‘Is this Black enough? Is this pop enough?,'” she recalls. “But, music started feeling way better when I just went into the studio with the mentality of being Normani. People will always remember how you made them feel and what a record did for them. My lyrics have more depth, and they’re more intentional and come from a more authentic place, because I now feel more connected to myself than before.”
Now, Normani is focused on what lies ahead, without putting added pressure on herself. “Hopefully, in the next few years I’ll have life a little bit more figured out. But if I don’t, I’m okay,” she admits, yet, “I don’t think we ever have it all figured out. But anything that God has placed on my heart, I want to be fearless in.”
Either way, the Savage x Fenty ambassador is just “going with the flow.” Despite being an “overachiever” she says, “I think there’s levels to that, which I became more aware of last year.”
Normani’s Women’s Health cover and shoot were shot by photographer Dennis Leupold. She modeled a series of swimsuits and accessories by designers including: Cynthia Rowley; Jennifer Fisher; Roxanne Assoulin; TUSA; Dos Gardenias; Lili Claspe; Monica Vinader; Canvas; Monica Vinader X DOINA; Khiry. Mimi Cutrell served as a style consultant.