In a comprehensive interview with Esquire, Lenny Kravitz, the 59-year-old rock musician, opened up about various aspects of his personal life and career, revealing insights on his family, past relationships, experiences with racial dynamics in the music industry, and thoughts on future aspirations.
Kravitz, who first rose to fame in the late 1980s and early ’90s, is preparing to release “Blue Electric Light,” his first album in five years. He is the son of famous TV star Roxie Roker and music producer Sy Kravitz. In the interview, he detailed his journey from his youth to becoming a rock-n-roll icon and his current life.
Regarding his personal life, Kravitz expressed a readiness to marry again and is not opposed to the idea of having more children. Despite his divorce from actress Lisa Bonet in 1993 and failed engagements to Nicole Kidman and Adriana Lima, Kravitz emphasized his continued desire for marriage and family. He shared that he has grown and become more disciplined, aiding in his readiness for such commitments. Kravitz is a father to 34-year-old daughter, Zoë Kravitz, whom he shares with Bonet.
Kravitz also discussed his blended family dynamics, especially his relationship with Jason Momoa, the estranged husband of his ex-wife, Lisa Bonet. Momoa and Bonet have two children, Lola, 16, and Nakoa-Wolf, 15, who affectionately refer to Kravitz as “Uncle Lenny.” Kravitz described this family arrangement as normal and not particularly heroic, highlighting his belief in the importance of maintaining familial bonds despite past relationship statuses.
A significant part of the interview touched on Kravitz’s feelings of being overlooked by Black media outlets throughout his career. Despite his contributions to reintroducing Black art forms and breaking down barriers in music, Kravitz noted the lack of recognition from organizations like BET and The Source Awards. He also expressed disappointment over comments by Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner, who faced criticism for remarks perceived as racist and misogynistic.
Kravitz also opened up about a troubling experience from his teenage years, an unwanted sexual encounter that he described in his 2020 memoir “Let Love Rule.” Rather than viewing the incident as traumatizing, he considers it a lesson and an experience that influenced his approach to relationships.
In a more introspective moment, Kravitz reflected on the issue of infidelity, discussing how his father’s affair and subsequent comments had impacted him. He acknowledged his past struggles with being faithful in relationships, attributing it to a ‘curse’ his father had mentioned. Kravitz stated that he had since worked through these issues, viewing them as part of his life’s journey.
Kravitz’s candid revelations in the Esquire interview provide a multi-dimensional view of his life, encompassing his professional achievements, personal growth, and the complexities of his family dynamics.