Normani is opening up on how the cancer diagnosis of both her parents subsequently led her to put her music career on hold.
As fans already know, the singer signed her record deal with RCA in 2018, shortly after Fifth Harmony disbanded.
Normani Shares Why Releasing Her Debut Album No Longer Became Her Priority At One Point
And while she’s dropped a string of songs since then, including ‘Wild Side’ featuring Cardi B and 2021’s ‘Fair,’ many have been left wondering when Normani actually planned on dropping a full-length project.
In a new interview with Who What Wear, however, the ‘Motivation’ singer explained how her mom, Andrea Hamilton, and dad, Derrick Hamilton, had both faced some serious health issues these past few years.
Andrea battled breast cancer for a second time and started chemotherapy, which she successfully completed in 2021.
Normani stuns for Who What Wear. pic.twitter.com/98748eisGg
— Pop Base (@PopBase) February 22, 2024
But in a shocking turn of events, Normani then learned that doctors had diagnosed her dad with the same disease, which sent the pop star through a “rollercoaster of emotions.”
Understandably, Normani’s focus had shifted from music to the well-being of her parents.
“F**k all of this. This is bigger than the music,” she said. “It’s bigger than what I’m trying to accomplish. This is life or death. All I wanted to do was be there for them.”
Despite Their Cancer Battle, Normani’s Parents Remained Supportive Of Her Career
Even amid their health battles, Normani’s parents found solace in their daughter’s music,” the 24-year-old recounted.
They would ask for updates about her studio sessions and her music’s progress even while undergoing treatments.
The wait has been worth it. After years of anticipation, @Normani is stepping back into the spotlight on her own terms. Having just announced her debut album, Dopamine, she says it “feels like liberation, like a season of freedom. Not just because the record is finally coming… pic.twitter.com/UFOipAy2rm
— Who What Wear (@WhoWhatWear) February 22, 2024
She says their cancer diagnosis forced her to put things into perspective and think about her own purpose as an artist.
Seeing her mom go through radiation for a second time helped Normani to learn to live life to the fullest and “maximize every single moment.”
“Prioritize actually living instead of just existing. I know for a fact that I have already experienced the scariest time in my life with the thought of having to exist here without my mom. The things that scared me before no longer do.”
While helping her parents through their health battles, Normani eventually got back to work and finished her debut album.
Earlier this week, the project titled ‘Dopamine’ was announced. The ‘Work From Home’ artist flaunts a two-piece Yeha Leung set as she sits on top of a black rocket ship, oh-kay!
In a post shared to her Instagram on Wednesday (February 21), Normani herself couldn’t believe she could finally share the news her fans have been waiting for all these years.
“cryingg typing this rn. DOPAMINE THE ALBUM,” she wrote.
The news comes just six months after she signed a new management deal with Good World Management and Asrat’s Q10, per VIBE.
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