Crews 
Brandy and Monica are just weeks away from the kickoff of their highly anticipated ‘The Boy Is Mine Tour,’ and fans of the dynamic duo couldn’t be more excited.
As the promo trial for the outing continues, the ladies sat down with Essence Magazine to dish on the tour, what fans can expect, their legacies, forming new bonds, and their newfound friendship today, and much more!
Get into some of the snaps and excerpts from the interview below.
ESSENCE: What do you reflect on when you think about the journey you’ve shared, especially stepping into this tour together after all these years?
Monica Arnold: I try not to do a lot of reflection. I try to leave the past just as it is, and focus on the present and the future, because I think it’s so promising. I think unfortunately, over the years, we’ve missed a lot of opportunity because we maybe focused moreon the past. We’ve had an amazing reconnection, and the way that it has come together on our terms and our time is just divine timing.
Brandy Norwood: Stepping into this tour feels like a full-circle moment. It’s a chance to honor where we’ve come from, to celebrate the people who’ve supported us from the very beginning, and to share the stage in a way that feels fresh, powerful and deeply connected to who we are now. It’s emotional, it’s inspiring, and it reminds me that music really is timeless.
ESSENCE: Monica, there’s a protective energy and aura that you carry, especially when you and Brandy are together. So where would you say that instinct comes from?
Monica: I guess that was a sincere observation, because I do feel protective over her. I think the way the media is now makes her uncomfortable—and I say that respectfully, because she lives and breathes for entertainment. She’s an actress, she’s a writer, she’s a songstress, she’s a producer. She’s one-of-one in that area. This is a very judgmental space. It’s a space where now people can say any and everything that they want. So my protective nature toward her is because, as we’ve grown, we’ve started to share things with each other, and it just naturally heightens my natural protective nature. I’m like that with people that I love. So I try to be the person that she is most comfortable leaning on in this new space.
ESSENCE: Brandy, how does that affect you, and what does it mean to share that bond with her?
Brandy: When we’re together, it creates a sense of balance and support that allows me to be fully present. Sharing that bond with her goes beyond the music—it reflects a mutual respect and understanding that’s been built over years of experiences.
ESSENCE: When you think back to “The Boy Is Mine”—it became both a cultural anthem and a defining moment in how people saw the both of you. How do you see that moment now, over 25 years later?
Brandy: I see it as so much bigger than just a hit record. At the time, it was two young women coming together, bringing our voices and our stories into one moment—and the world connected with it in a way we couldn’t have imagined. To see how that song connected with people all over the world—and still does—is such a blessing. For me, it represented sisterhood and the power of collaboration. Now, all these years later, it feels like a landmark in R&B history, but also a reminder of how far we’ve come as women and as artists. It’s humbling to know that a song can stand the test of time like that, and it inspires me to keep creating music that resonates across generations.
Monica: I think that even though the lyrical content and some of what started to play out created more division than it did togetherness, we’ve taken control of that, and we’re making what the legacy of this song would be totally different for the next generation. And that’s what I’m most proud of, when I look at what is happening now with “The Boy Is Mine.” When Ariana Grande did her version, it was that subtle reminder for us of how special that moment was. And what I love so much about it was that we were young, living in the moment and creating. We were creating without critics. We were creating without anything outside of ourselves. And that was the part that I think made it so great and made it so timeless.
ESSENCE: You’ve both released timeless music that defined eras. How do you decide which songs make the tour setlist—and are there any surprises in store?
Monica: There are definitely some surprises in store. We hear the people when they ask for certain things, but contractually there are also songs we must do. Bridging the gap between the two is the hard part. When I tell you we talk setlist all day long—it’s a never-ending conversation, and even when the tour starts, we may still be adding songs.
Brandy: It’s definitely one of the hardest parts, because so many songs hold a special place in our hearts and in the fans’ hearts. We thought about what records shaped the culture, what moments people connect with most, and how to create a flow that takes the audience on a journey. Of course, the classics are there, but we also wanted surprises—songs people might not expect to hear live, and even some new touches, to make the music feel fresh again. I might even throw in some unreleased music!
ESSENCE: This tour is one of the most anticipated reunions in R&B. What do you want the audience to feel and remember when they leave your show?
Monica: Ooh, I want them to feel joy. I want them to feel proud of the two of us, like anything is possible—because had you asked someone many years ago, they would’ve said it wasn’t. I want them to feel the togetherness, the love, that nostalgic feeling from when these songs were released. And I want them to feel like they could do it all over again. You know a concert is a great one when you could do it again.
Brandy: This tour is more than just nostalgia—it’s about celebrating our sisterhood, our growth and the music that connected us all. I want people to feel joy, empowerment and even a little healing, because these songs have been the soundtrack to so many lives. When they walk out, I hope they carry that energy with them—the memories, the emotions and the reminder that music has the power to unite us, across generations.
Check out the full interview and spread HERE.
