Flau’jae Monae Johnson is a senior guard in her final season at LSU. She’s also a rapper, a businesswoman and philanthropist, and a former reality competition series star.
Known to many by her rap name, “Big 4,” 21-year-old Flau’jae graces the cover of Teen Vogue‘s September 2025 issue.
The 5’10” rapper sat down with Teen Vogue contributor Ruth Etiesit Samuel to talk beauty standards, her WNBA dreams, and her love of pop star Miley Cyrus.
“I love Miley Cyrus,” Flau’jea said. “I named my album Best of Both Worlds, and I feel like she represents me. I put that together because she was a normal person, and then she was a superstar. That’s me.”
Flau’jea said she was inspired to be a rap star by her late father, Jason Akeil Johnson, who rapped under the stage name Camoflauge. He was murdered in 2003, about 2 months before Flau’jea was born.
“People always ask me why I started rapping,” Flau’jea says. “I just wanted to be like my dad. It’s like I’m trying to chase his flow. That’s what it was at first, but then I fell in love with music, creating, and the whole process. Then, watching other people create, hearing their creations, and wanting to change it.”
You’ve got to wear boy clothes, because that’s who you were looking up to.
Flau’jea discussed her public image as a women’s basketball star and her goal to change the game like her idol, Allen Iverson.
“As a young girl, to be a basketball player, you’ve got to be dominant,” she said. “You’ve got to wear boy clothes and stuff like that, because that’s who you were looking up to. I’m like that on the court, so now, I’ll carry that persona everywhere. I was trying to dress like my favorite hoopers back then.”
“Everything just changed with the times. You’ve got to think with [Allen Iverson], he changed the game in the NBA,” she says, referencing the NBA’s strict dress code in 2005 that required players to wear business suits.
“I feel like with the WNBA, we are just a newer league. The time is now, but I still feel like there’s going to be somebody that comes in, blows it out of the water, and becomes a fashion icon like A.I. Because that’s the space for it. There’s a lot of individuality. Women know how to rock it well, and brands love that… I think it’s just the perfect time with the rise of women’s basketball, but also just fashion.”
I spend about an hour and 30 minutes before a game getting ready.
On embracing her insecurities and appearance as a female athlete, Flau’jea says she spends about an hour on her hair, lashes and makeup before a game.
“I spend about an hour and 30 minutes before a game getting ready. I’m talking about hair, lashes, makeup, and eyebrows,” she explains. “Your appearance is like your forcefield. It’s my aura. It protects me from my own insecurities. That’s why I think fashion is so cool, because you’re able to create an identity that caters to your insecurities or something you want to hide, something you want to show, something you want to embrace. I think it’s what you make it.”
This ain’t my color. You ain’t finna lighten me up.
Flau’jea declined to explain how she lays her edges so perfectly before a game.
On how colorism impacts her life, Flau’jea says she embraces her dark skin, but she resisted when makeup artists tried to make her lighter.
“Even when I was little and they started doing my makeup on America’s Got Talent, I said, ‘This ain’t my color. You ain’t finna lighten me up.'”
She continued: “I had seen myself on a little TV show before one time and I couldn’t look at myself. I didn’t even look dark-skinned. Then to your point, Mom, I started thinking about all the young girls. They’re really looking at you and, basically, you’re telling her that your dark skin ain’t beautiful enough, so make it lighter. But I need to see a me. Every time I see a little dark-skin girl, every time I meet a young fan, I always say, ‘You’re so beautiful.'”
I’m trying to fall on my face! I’m weird like that.
Flau’jea is looking forward to entering the WNBA draft in 2026 and wanting to experience the WNBA rookie learning curve.
“I’m trying to fall on my face! I’m weird like that,” she says with a laugh. “I’m trying to see, is this bussing like that for real? When I come in, how hard is it going to be? Or is it going to be easy for me?”
LSU head coach Kim Mulkey said of Flau’jae, “Everybody needs to have the pleasure of coaching a Flau’jae Johnson. She makes our life so joyful.”
Teen Vogue cover Photo shoot credits:
Photographer: Kendall Bessent
Photo Assistant: Anthony Wallen
Stylist / Global Fashion Director: Tchesmeni Leonard
Stylist Assistant / Associate Fashion Editor: Samantha Gasmer
Tailor: Fhonia Ellis
Prop Stylist: Catriana Charles
Hair Stylist: Karjah Carter
Makeup Artist: Jasmine Madison
Manicurist: Kim Cao
