Kehlani & Monaleo Talk Mental Health, Motherhood & Boundaries | Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop House 2026

Kehlani and Monaleo sit down for Billboard’s Like-Minded (in partnership with BetterHelp) for an honest conversation about motherhood, mental health, identity and boundaries. From “perfect mom” pressure to community care, healing in real time and navigating fame, this panel goes deep.

This episode is hosted by Gail Mitchell (Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop) alongside Sonni Williams (BetterHelp), a licensed professional counselor specializing in perinatal mental health.

Monaleo: Everybody wants to feel like they’re like the perfect mother, they’re doing everything right, and I think it’s OK to admit that you’re gonna drop the ball sometimes.

Kehlani: Everything I watch my daughter process, I feel like I’m double processing. So I’ve really tried to like focus on just like having as much joy with her as possible while being honest when things aren’t as joyous.

Gail Mitchell: So I’m Gail Mitchell, editor-at-large of R&B/Hip-Hop for Billboard magazine. Welcome, you guys. So thrilled to be here, have you here. Welcome to Like-Minded, uh, presented by BetterHelp, a space where artists and cultural voices come together for honest conversations about mental health, the progress we’ve made, and where we still have room to grow. Uh, sitting to my left, I’m joined by Sonni Williams, who is with BetterHelp. She’s a licensed professional counselor specializing in perinatal mental health. And now we’re getting ready to be joined by two of my favorite artists, fearless women, uh, Kehlani and Monaleo. So I hope y’all are ready for some women talk.

Monaleo: Yes.

Kehlani: Yeah.

Gail Mitchell: OK.

Kehlani: Yeah, girl stuff.Hey.

Gail Mitchell: ‘Cause we’re gonna have a candid conversation about motherhood, identity and caring for yourself while caring for others. So first question, and, uh, either one of you can start and the other ha-answer the question as well. Uh, what truth about motherhood do you wish women were given permission to admit without having their love for their children questioned?