When Fergie—who released her first solo album, The Dutchess, in 2006, and has worked in music and television since 1984—looks at the entertainment industry now, she sees a turning point. The sexual harassment allegations against Harvey Weinstein reported by theNew York Times and theNew Yorker have sparked a much needed discussion, she told ELLE.com at Bumble Bizz's dinner in New York City last Thursday. "I feel like the 'casting couch' has got to burn, and it's the perfect chance for this to stop—the abuse of power and entitlement of sexual acts, not only in this business, but in every business," she said.

Fergie has a unique point of view, having worked on a Weinstein film. "It's interesting because when I hear people say Harvey [Weinstein] was such a champion for them and for their career, I understand, because he was really great with me on the film Nine—amazing," she said. "However, hearing this double life that was going on.... you hear rumors about a lot of different things, but to this extent? It was shocking and appalling, and hopefully he's getting help, and hopefully the victims can feel some sense of support from a lot of people—not only women...whereas they didn't feel like they had any support before."

"These women coming forward have paved the way to now be able to have that voice and open up that conversation, so this doesn't happen again," she said.

Fergie just released her second solo album, Double Dutchess, last month, and kicked off the launch with a music video featuring Kendall Jenner. Here, she discusses her tour plans, how she picked the songs on her album, and the moment Jenner made her realize that the world needed a Kendall Jenner music video.

You've been working for years on this album. How did you decide what songs you wanted to put on the final version?

Fergie: I wanted it to be a well-rounded experience. Because it had been 11 years, I wanted to reconnect with the people who supported my first album and also introduce myself to those who may have only heard of me as the girl in the Black Eyed Peas. I could've done a novelty album, like an all-rock album or a hip-hop album, or an all-electro-inspired or tropical house–inspired or reggae album, but I didn't. It was really important for me this time to show who I am in all facets, which is what I did for The Dutchess, and that's why this felt like The Dutchess part two.

I wanted a mixture of subject matter to show the different sides of me. There's many different themes on the album—the dark side and the lighter side; the more hard part of my personality, and the delicate and soft part, and that's how all of those were chosen. There's a wide range of musical assortment, style-wise, and if you watch all of the videos, I think I have maybe the record for the most hair colors in one album with all the different wigs that I wore. So visually, all kinds of different looks, as well as sonically and subject matter-wise.

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I want to ask about the "Enchanté (Carine)" video with Kendall Jenner and how that came about. What was your inspiration behind it?

Kendall and I have this random [connection]—you go to Coachella, and you see people and you never know who you end up hanging out with. We saw each other, and we did this walk across the field. It was fun, and we ended up going to this party because 2 Chainz was performing at it, and I ended up going on stage with him because I have a song with him called "Netflix."

But on the way to the party, we're in the back of this jeep and she had the phone and we were singing songs. It was her and Hailey Baldwin and I, it was that golden hour, and I just watched her. She was filming herself, singing along to whatever song was on the radio, and I remember thinking, She's got an inner pop star, inner rock star in her—I wonder if she's ever brought that out? So, with "Enchanté," I wanted her to have her own video and get to explore that.

Did you guys work together on the concept for it? The outfit changes in that video were incredible.

No, no, that I can't take credit for: That was strictly Giovanni Bianco and Bruno Ilogti and Carine Roitfeld of course, who the song is named after. That was completely them. I Facetimed her [Jenner] during her shoot and that was it. I just wanted her to do her thing and find that inner musician and performer inside of her.

So what's next for you? Is there a tour coming with this album?

Absolutely—that's all being worked out for now for 2018. I've got some radio shows this year and Halloween and Christmas...family things, holiday. But yeah, shows this year and tour 2018!

This interview has been lightly edited.

From: ELLE US
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Alyssa Bailey
Senior News and Strategy Editor

Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she's not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.