Years ago, I read a book based on the Laws of Attraction. In short, it stated everything in your life is something you attracted, and in order to get what you wanted, you must send a clear message to the universe. From experience, pure euphoria is the result of noticeable rewards.

After the universe miraculously fulfilled my request to pay my tuition, I took a philosophy course as an elective. Alas, there were more “Is God real?” and “free will” discussions than talks of destiny. Maybe I should have asked the universe to have the professor discuss Laws of Attraction. I eventually asked the professor about the book. Of course he was familiar with it, but to my surprise, he was appalled by the relentless manipulation of a comforting aspect included in most faiths.

According to him, beings adapt to align with the universe; the universe doesn’t realign itself because a single being changes the way they think, which is essentially what the book suggests. He continued, ‘for if the universe catered to single entities, balance for all would be lost. Rest assured if the universe cares about anything, it’s balance.’

Reading Beyoncé’s GQ cover story followed by Janelle Monáe’s Elle Canada cover story prompted me to juxtapose the articles. Reading them also made me think of the conversation I had with my professor. Call me crazy, but I believe the release of Janelle’s cover story was the universe restoring balance following Beyoncé’s cover and accompanying interview. Yes, the universe cares about pop culture, too.

I’m sure you’re aware of the racy photo of Beyoncé on the cover of GQ’s February ’13 issue. Controversy erupted once the photo went viral. Many found Beyoncé’s skimpy attire distasteful, especially for a wife and mother in her thirties. Others felt it was simply a woman brazenly embracing her sexuality. Personally, I saw an ideal face of beauty using her impossible body and seductive eyes to hypnotize onlookers into buying whatever it is she’s selling. Even someone that has reached her level of success have to go through great lengths in order to promote projects.

Pepsi alone has invested $50 million into the diva’s brand. If her forthcoming endeavors fall short, Pepsi’s return on investment will be lower than expected. This will decrease Beyoncé’s profitability, which will make companies like Pepsi hesitant about investing in her. As indicated by quotes from the interview, this is something Beyoncé’s ego won’t allow to happen. In order to ensure that the world is cognizant of her forthcoming album, documentary, Super Bowl performance, tour, etc., she does what many people before her (herself included) has done; she sells sex.

GQ is a prestigious men’s magazine. The concept of the shoot incorporates two things men love–football and sex. This marketing scheme, though inappropriate, is resistant to failure (in this case). However, the lingering question: “Why is Beyoncé selling sex for attention at this level of her career?” is still valid.

In recent times, Beyoncé always appears hyper-composed and demure. Additionally, she rubs shoulders with the First Family and identifies herself as a role model, unlike Rihanna, who has been unfairly placed in the conversation due to her nude GQ cover.

A more fitting contrast would be Janelle Monáe, an equally gifted entertainer that also rubs shoulders with the First Family and identifies herself as a role model. The universe, being the brilliant balance provider she is, is slowly restoring order with the circulation of Janelle’s Elle Canada interview.

In the issue, Janelle says she chooses to wear suits because she doesn’t want her ‘amazing body’ to distract listeners from her music and talent. “When I look at myself in the mirror, I’m attractive. I really have a nice body. And I had to pick: Do I want them to focus on my body? Do I want them to focus on how curvy and really, really gorgeous my figure is? Or do I want them to look at my music? What has more value? And I made that decision. I want them to focus on the message and the music because I feel like I have a higher calling.”

Monáe went on to speak on the importance of maintaining self-respect when fame and fortune rears its head. “You have to protect your heart and your spirit so you’re not tainted by money, greed, power, arrogance…. I don’t get off on those things,” she says.

Providing a voice for disadvantaged youth and example for young girls is of utmost importance to Janelle. “I have responsibilities to make sure I’m setting an example. I have a responsibility to my community. I have a responsibility to tell the universe a story in an unforgettable way.”

When asked about her role as a CoverGirl, she responded, “I want to present a different perspective of what it means to be a strong woman. I just hope to be an inspiration to the next generation of girls, to help them define what makes them unique and what makes them special.”

These things are stark differences to what Beyoncé’s GQ cover represents. Sexual exploitation was the only motive on the menu, and Amy Wallace, the writer of the article, was privy of this. She begins the cover story with a very suggestive line: “Beyoncé is ready to receive you now.” Men (and women) who were already salivating over the photos of Jay-Z’s wife are certainly copulating her in their subconscious at this point.

Beyoncé, an extremely wealthy, ridiculously successful and unimaginably talented superstar, reminds us that she’s an extremely wealthy, ridiculously successful and unimaginably talented superstar. She makes no qualms about seeming pretentious or highlighting that her work ethic is greater than her peers–the same peers that praise her excessively, although she rarely ever reciprocates.

“I worked so hard during my childhood to meet this goal: By the time I was 30 years old, I could do what I want,” she says. “I’ve reached that. I feel very fortunate to be in that position. But I’ve sacrificed a lot of things, and I’ve worked harder than probably anyone I know, at least in the music industry. So I just have to remind myself that I deserve it.”

Recognizing your accomplishments and worth is natural, but to do it at the expense of others while dismissing humility is off-putting and borderline narcissistic. Plus, there’s no validity in her assertion, making it practically redundant and needless to say.

GQ also gave some details on her HBO documentary Life Is But a Dream, which she “financed, directed, produced, narrated, and stars in.” According to GQ, in the autobiography, she outlines a warped sense of feminism that is sure to cause some debate once the film airs.

“You know, equality is a myth, and for some reason, everyone accepts the fact that women don’t make as much money as men do. I don’t understand that. Why do we have to take a backseat?” she says in her film, which begins with her 2011 decision to sever her business relationship with her father. “I truly believe that women should be financially independent from their men. And let’s face it, money gives men the power to run the show. It gives men the power to define value. They define what’s sexy. And men define what’s feminine. It’s ridiculous.”

If I’m understanding her correctly, she’s saying: by default, housewives are unequal to their husbands because they are financially dependent upon them. This theory diminishes the role of women that live by traditional values and ultimately make these women lesser beings than men.

In the final quote of the article, Beyoncé says, “I now know that, yes, I am powerful. I’m more powerful than my mind can even digest and understand.” Interpreting this is rather difficult. The preceding paragraph is rather obscure and doesn’t offer what she’s responding to.

To assure she wasn’t misquoted, Beyoncé rigged the room with a camera and microphone. Though she may not have been misquoted, there is a slither of a possibility that she’s being misinterpreted and isn’t this self-centered person illustrated in the interview. Her last album underwhelmed commercially, and it would be unfortunate for her if her upcoming album does the same. Cynical and pessimistic people revel at the downfall of unapologetic egomaniacs (see: Kanye West, Chris Brown, John Mayer, Mitt Romney, Donald Trump), and her method of fueling her fading glory will surely put Madonna’s method to shame.

Regardless of the future, balance is restored at this very moment. The universe has created equilibrium by transmitting contrasting messages via the women and magazines mentioned above. Janelle pledges to maintain her dignity by refusing to use her body as a marketing device in hopes of garnering publicity and generating revenue, and Beyoncé sacrifices her dignity by using her body as a marketing device in hopes of garnering publicity and generating revenue. It seems both ladies are receiving what they desire. Take that, Law of Attraction skeptics.