Megan Thee Stallion is gearing up for a Hot Girl Spring. Since the rapper released her first album, Good News, back in November, things haven’t slowed down for the music superstar.
She’s got a busy few months ahead: She’s currently filming season two of her ballroom competition series, Legendary, and later this month, she’s also nominated for four Grammy Awards, including in the best new artist category. (Hopefully, we will get a performance out of it, too.) Last but not least, she’s also the face of a new Calvin Klein campaign, rocking the label’s new jeans and underwear pieces in images shot by Mario Sorrenti.
Lucky for us, the rapper penciled in a few minutes with Vogue this week to chat about all these new projects in a new interview—and we had to ask her about her enviable handbag closet, of course. Below, Vogue asks Megan Thee Stallion about the new campaign, what’s in store for the Grammys, and the surprising thing that’s always in her purse. (Hint: it involves her five adorable dogs.)
For the longest! Ever since I started wearing bras. I really liked that swag in the early ’90s, when I would see the old campaigns for the jeans or the Calvin Klein underwear and bras. When I grew up, I was like, ‘one day, I want to [model for Calvin Klein]—I don’t know how I’m gonna do it, but I want to do it.’ In high school, I would definitely wear my pants a little low sometimes, so that people could see my Calvin Klein underwear. And to be a part of it now as Megan Thee Stallion, I'm like, wow, things really come full circle. I told myself I’d be on a Calvin Klein billboard and that actually happened. I’m so grateful.
What have you been into fashion-wise lately?
I’ve definitely been into figuring out where all the Black-owned women clothing lines are. I’m always on Instagram trying to find the newest, up-and-coming Black woman designer. I’m a huge fan of Heather Sanders, I love Sorella boutique. I always order from there.
**You’re known for your insane purse collection, too. Any new purchases you’re excited by? **
I’m a purse fanatic. I love unique purses. If I know that there are only two bags made in America, I'm like, I need to have this first—I might buy both of them! I keep buying Dior bags—Dior has been coming out with some really bomb purses. I love Chanel bags, I always try to find Chanel bags that are hard to find. The harder they are to find, the more I want the bag. I love Louis Vuitton bags too, because they’re the perfect mix between casual and fashion; I can dress them up or down. I can be wearing sweats, and my Louis bag just really turns the outfit up.
How many bags do you think you have?
At this point, I don’t know! But they’re all my babies.
What’s a surprising thing we can always find in your bag?
Probably my puppy treats. I always have one of my five puppies with me, and they always want snacks. I have to bribe them to do things when we’re out in public, so I have to keep a bag of doggy treats. They like anything that tastes like steak. Rich dogs!
You’re known for always having a Hot Girl Summer—but how can we have a Hot Girl Spring?
It’s starting to get hot outside [here in Los Angeles], so in the spring. I just really want to see everybody starting to get into their swimsuits. Springtime reminds me of pastel colors, and it reminds me of popsicles. In the spring, I’m always trying to figure out how I can make my nails or outfit match a popsicle or something that I can get from an ice cream truck.
You’re currently filming season two of Legendary, the ballroom competition series. How has ballroom culture influenced your own performance style?
Season one of Legendary really made me realize that I need to step up my game with my performances. Watching everybody get on the stage, and seeing what they went through before they got there, and how hard they worked to get there—I’m like, you know what? I don't ever want to feel like I'm not working hard enough. Or that I’m not appreciating where I am. [Fellow judge Leiomy Maldanado] told me so many stories about her voguing on a soapy floor, and she kept hurting her ankles until she got it right. And I’m like, girl, you know, let me go to rehearsal.
The Grammys are coming up, and you’ve earned four nominations including best new artist. How does that feel?
I’m so excited. Sometimes I’m in disbelief. I cannot believe I’m this girl from Houston who really made it. Me and my mom used to always talk about me being at the Grammys, and she’d tell me that I’m going to win a Grammy. And I’d always be thinking, that's so far away—that's so farfetched. To actually be here, I'm like, you know what, I'm gonna make my mom proud.
Looking back on your album Good News, what was it like making that record?
Making that album in quarantine, it should have been harder. But it actually helped me, because I was able to sit down by myself and write. And the album is already gold. It hasn't even been out that long, and it’s on its way to platinum! I’m so happy that the Hotties are happy and that they love it.
Any hints on what you are working on with music next?
Everybody has been waiting for Tina Snow [her alter ego] to come back, so my girl may be popping up soon.