Teyana Taylor | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Taylor in April 2023 | |
| Born | Teyana Me Shay Jacqueline Taylor[1] (1990-12-10)December 10, 1990 (age 35) New York City, U.S. |
| Other names | |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2005–present |
| Works | |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | Full list |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Labels | |
| Website | teyanataylor |
Musical artist | |
Teyana Me Shay Jacqueline Taylor (/tiˈɑːnə/;[8] born December 10, 1990)[9] is an American singer, songwriter, actress, model, dancer, choreographer, and music video director.[10] Heraccolades include aGolden Globe Award and twoCritics Choice Awards, along with nominations for anAcademy Award, twoActor Awards, aBritish Academy Film Award, eightNAACP Image Awards and aGrammy Award.
At age 15, she choreographed the video for "Ring the Alarm" byBeyoncé and signed a recording contract withthe Neptunes'Star Trak Entertainment. During this period, Taylor was featured as a dancer in the video for "Blue Magic" byJay-Z and released her debut single, "Google Me." She earned wider recognition for work onKanye West's "Dark Fantasy" and "Hell of a Life" fromMy Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010).
In 2012, she signed with West'sGOOD Music and appeared on the label's compilation album,Cruel Summer, which peaked at number two on theBillboard 200. Her debut studio album,VII (2014), topped theR&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Taylor starred in and co-choreographed "Fade" by Kanye West, earning theMTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography. She then releasedK.T.S.E. (2018), followed byThe Album (2020), which entered the top ten on theBillboard 200 and featured collaborations withMissy Elliott andLauryn Hill. Her fourth album,Escape Room (2025), received aGrammy Award nomination forBest R&B Album.
As an actress, Taylor appeared in films such asStomp the Yard: Homecoming (2010) andMadea's Big Happy Family (2011), before taking on starring roles inComing 2 America (2021) andThe Rip (2026). She received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Inez inA Thousand and One (2023), earning theNational Board of Review Award for Breakthrough Performance. For her performance inPaul Thomas Anderson'sOne Battle After Another (2025), she won theGolden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress and received anAcademy Award nomination.[11] On television, she appeared in theFox music drama seriesStar (2017–18) and later starred in theRyan Murphy legal dramaAll's Fair (2025).
Her other ventures include collaborations withAdidas andAir Jordan on limited-edition releases.[12][13] Taylor has directed music videos for herself and other artists,[14] and is set to make her feature directorial debut withGet Lite, starring actressStorm Reid, forParamount Pictures.[15]
Teyana Taylor was born on December 10, 1990, to Nikki Taylor and Tito Smith, inHarlem, New York City. She is of African American andTrinidadian descent. Teyana is her mother's only child, while her father has two sons and another daughter from a different relationship. Her mother is also her manager.[16]
In September 2006, 15-year-old Teyana Taylor was credited as the choreographer on the music video for American entertainerBeyoncé'shit single, "Ring the Alarm".[17] In January 2007, Taylor was offered a contract to joinPharrell Williams'Star Trak Entertainment label, throughInterscope Records.[18][19] In February 2007, Taylor first entered into the public sphere through an episode onMTV'sMy Super Sweet Sixteen, a show depicting over-the-top birthday parties for rich—and typically “spoiled” and confrontational—teenagers. In 2007, Taylorappeared as a background dancer in the music video for Jay-Z's single, "Blue Magic".[20]
In February 2008, Taylor released her commercial debut single, "Google Me".[20] The song was released as thelead single from her full-length debutmixtape, titledFrom a Planet Called Harlem.[18] The mixtape, released August 16, 2009, features production fromJazze Pha, Pharrell, Mad Scientist, Frost, Shondre andHit-Boy, among others. "Google Me" debuted at number 90 on USBillboard'sHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. The mixtape was also released forfree download, billed as "the mixtape before her debut album".[21] In August 2010, Taylor expanded her career into acting, appearing in theStomp the Yard 2: Homecoming.[19] She also appeared on the debut episode ofHouse of Glam onOxygen in October 2010.[citation needed]
In 2010, just hours beforeKanye West's fifth albumMy Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was due to be turned in, West called Taylor into the studio to look over some of her fashion pieces. While in the studio, Taylor was determined to make an appearance on West's album. She purposely hummed along with the tracks he played for her, to get his attention. He eventually took notice, and asked to put her vocals on a few tracks, notably "Dark Fantasy" and "Hell of a Life". Upon recalling the experience of recording "Dark Fantasy", Taylor stated that "at the time it was pretty empty, just verses." She remembers that West "put [her] in another room by [herself] and said, 'Go'." Taylor came back with the "intro and chorus," and "did all thescratches and the cuts [herself]." She admitted that she was nervous upon letting West hear her contributions to the tracks, trying to cover her nervousness by stating that she "hadn't been in the studio for so long."[22]
In 2010, Taylor contributed on one of GOOD Music'sGOOD Friday tracks, "Christmas In Harlem". The track was released as a shortened version of the single to theiTunes Store on December 17, 2010, and featuresguest appearances from American rapperCyhi the Prynce as well as Kanye West.[23] In 2010, Taylor, alongside fellow rapperBow Wow, were offered roles forTyler Perry's play-turned-filmMadea's Big Happy Family, the fifth installment in Perry's series. The film was released on April 22, 2011.[24] Taylor was featured on the August 2011Jim Jones single "Party Tonight" alongsideCam'ron.[25][26]
In January 2012, it was announced Taylor would be granted her release from the contract with Interscope and Star Trak.[27][28][29] Taylor has stated that she and Star Trak founder Pharrell Williams have remained amicable since the end of their business relationship. She has credited him as a "big brother", and sees her early signing to Star Trak as a "blessing."[30] Taylor has stated on many occasions that her release from the label was necessary, as she wanted to have a feeling of independence in the music industry. In an interview with DJ Skee, Taylor mentioned that “when [she] was signed for six years, [she] felt like she couldn't do [anything]”, “couldn't prove to [her] fans that [she] had the talent”, and “couldn't sing from [her] heart.”[31]As anindependent artist upon her release, she had begun preparing her second record, a mixtape titledThe Misunderstanding of Teyana Taylor. The mixtape drew influences from1990s R&B legends likeLauryn Hill andMary J. Blige.[32] The mixtape was released in early 2012, and was preceded by the release of "Make Your Move", featuring rapperWale,[33] and "D.U.I.", featuringJadakiss &Fabolous, which was released on February 25, 2012. More positive reviews of the latter track noted that "The Harlem songstress channelsJanet Jackson as she glides over the smoothHit-Boy-produced beat with her airy vocals, while fellow New Yorkers Fabolous and Jadakiss ride shotgun".[34]
After taking some time to find herself as an independent artist, Taylor signed a joint-venture deal with Kanye West's label GOOD Music throughIsland-Def Jam on June 14, 2012.[35] As part of GOOD Music, Taylor appeared on the GOOD Music compilation albumCruel Summer, released September 18, 2012.[36] She provides vocals for the opening track "To the World", with Kanye West andR. Kelly, provides the hook and chorus for "Sin City", which featuresJohn Legend, Cyhi the Prynce,Malik Yusef and Travis Scott, and also duets with John Legend on a song titled "Bliss".[37] Taylor and Legend's duet on the album was highly praised, with Erika Ramirez ofBillboard noting that "Taylor's beautifully brash voice ... illuminates in the electric-guitar heavy,Hudson Mohawke-produced 'Bliss'."[38]
In addition to being featured on theCruel Summer compilation, Taylor soon began the process of recording hermajor-label debut album, to be released eventually through GOOD Music and Island Def Jam.[39] On July 27, 2014, via Twitter, Taylor announced the title of her debut studio album to beVII, and revealed it would be released on November 4, through Def Jam and GOOD Music.[40][41] The album debuted at number 19 on theBillboard 200, selling 16,000 copies in the United States in its first week, while topping the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[42]
Taylor was set to be a judge on theeighth season of the Americancompetitive dance reality showAmerica's Best Dance Crew, with its series debut on July 29, 2015, on MTV.[43] On August 25, Taylor releasedThe Cassette Tape 1994, paying tribute to the iconic90s sound in music by including manysamples from 90s hits.[44]
On June 17, 2016, Taylor released her single "Freak On", featuring guest vocals fromChris Brown and production byDJ Mustard. It samples "Freak Like Me" byAdina Howard.[45] Taylor announced that it would be thelead single from her upcoming second studio album. On August 28, 2016, at theMTV Video Music Awards, Kanye West debuted the music video for his new single "Fade", which featured a sweat-dripping, athletic Taylor performing a rigorous solo dance routine, in nothing more than short shorts and a simple top; the dynamic and detailed choreography drew considerable praise, and comparisons were made toJennifer Beals’ iconic dance scene from the filmFlashdance (1983). A year later, in 2017, Taylor’s dancing in the music video would go on to earn her the “Best Choreography” award at thesame ceremony.[46] The video, directed byEli Russell Linnetz, also featured an appearance by Taylor's husband,Iman Shumpert.[47]Taylor's albumK.T.S.E., an acronym for "keep that same energy," was the last of G.O.O.D. Music's seven-song album rollout and was released on June 22, 2018.[48] An updated version of the album was supposed to be released, but Taylor announced that plans were canceled for it.[49]
Taylor released a collaboration single, "Morning", with fellow R&B singerKehlani in November 2019.[50][51] On December 6, 2019, Taylor released the single "We Got Love".[52] On May 7, 2020, Taylor announced that her third studio album is titledThe Album and would be released sometime in June 2020.[53] It was released on June 19, with the 23-track album featuring guest appearances byErykah Badu,Kehlani,Lauryn Hill,Future,Rick Ross,Quavo, andMissy Elliott.[54] It debuted at number 8 on theBillboard 200, earning Taylor her first top 10 album.[55]
On December 4, 2020, Taylor seemingly announced her retirement from making music via herInstagram page. A few days later, she explained the post was directed at her record label as she continued clarifying her frustration with their lack of support, "Baby, I gotta do it for my mental health. I have to do it for my emotional health. I have to do it for my kids, so I can stay alive for my kids. Until I'm free, until I can get [Def Jam] to release me, yes I want to retire."[56] She later said that much of the frustration leading to retirement could be traced back to her label undervaluing her, but she would not be retiring for good.[57] For her starring performance in the 2023 filmA Thousand and One, she won theBreakthrough Performance Award from theNational Board of Review.[58][59][60]
In March 2025, Taylor was featured onWill Smith's albumBased on a True Story.[61] On June 6, 2025, Taylor was featured on a remix to singerCiara's single "Ecstasy", which also featuredNormani.[62][63] On August 22, 2025, Taylor released her fourth studio albumEscape Room to acclaim, featuring production fromRico Love,The Runners,Kaytranada, Freaky Rob, andDerrick Milano, alongside narrated interludes byIssa Rae,Jill Scott,Taraji P. Henson,Jodie Turner-Smith,Kerry Washington,La La Anthony,Niecy Nash,Regina King, andSarah Paulson.[64][65][66] The album was accompanied by a 38-minute short film co-starring actorsAaron Pierre andLaKeith Stanfield, which was uploaded to YouTube.[67]
In September 2025, Teyana Taylor delivered a breakout performance as Perfidia inOne Battle After Another, a politically charged drama directed byPaul Thomas Anderson and starringLeonardo DiCaprio,Sean Penn,Benicio del Toro,Regina Hall, andChase Infiniti. Taylor's character, a passionate and resilient member of a revolutionary group, also grapples with the emotional and physical toll of postpartum depression as she navigates motherhood.[68] Her portrayal of Perfidia was widely praised for its depth and vulnerability, capturing both her character's strength and the rawness of her emotional struggles. Taylor's performance earned numerous accolades, including nominations for theCritics' Choice Movie Award for Best Supporting Actress,Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture, andGotham Independent Film Award for Outstanding Supporting Performance.[69]
In 2013, Taylor signed a deal to design and release two pairs of sneakers withAdidas. The first pair released were the Harlem GLC's which hit stores February 16 the same year. According to Adidas Global Director of Entertainment and Influence Marketing, Jonathan Wexler, Taylor holds the record for fastest selling sneakers inAdidas Originals history.[70] She then focused on designing and releasing her second pair of sneakers with the brand.[71][72] In March 2017, Teyana Taylor launched her "Fade 2 Fit" Workout Program, a ninety-day workout which centers around dance and fitness routines. The inspiration for this program and the incorporated dance elements come from her work in the music video for Kanye West's "Fade". She released a line of workout apparel, also called Fade2Fit. In May 2019, Taylor featured and directed the music video forLil Durk's remix of Home Body from his 2018 albumSigned to the Streets 3.[73]
In 2022, Taylor competed inseason seven ofThe Masked Singer as "Firefly" of Team Good. During the finals, Taylor was declared the winner. At 31 years old, she became the youngest "winner" in the show's history, before being surpassed by Bishop Briggs, who competed as “Medusa” in season 9.[74]
In February 2026, Taylor made public service announcements on theMTANew York City Transitsubway andbus systems.[75]
Taylor once dated and circa 2011, was engaged to basketball playerBrandon Jennings. The couple ended their relationship in 2013.[76]
Taylor dated basketball playerIman Shumpert circa 2014.[77] They wed on October 1, 2016,[78] and share two daughters, born in 2015 and 2020.[79][80][81][82] On September 17, 2023, Taylor announced the couple's separation via Instagram.[83] Their divorce was finalized in 2024.[84][85]
In July 2025, Taylor began her studies atAuguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.[86]
In August 2025, Taylor underwent surgery to remove a noncancerous growth on hervocal cords.[87]
Taylor began dating British actorAaron Pierre in early 2025. The pair reportedly split in December 2025.[88][89][90][91]
| † | Denotes productions that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Stomp the Yard: Homecoming | Rena | |
| 2011 | Madea's Big Happy Family | Sabrina | |
| 2012 | Gang of Roses II: Next Generation | Candi Baxter | |
| Cruel Summer | Don | Short | |
| 2013 | The Love Section | Steph | |
| 2015 | Brotherly Love | Zip | |
| 2018 | Honey: Rise Up and Dance | Skyler | |
| The After Party | Bl'asia | ||
| 2019 | The Trap | Sherri | |
| 2021 | Coming 2 America | Bopoto | |
| 2023 | A Thousand and One | Inez | |
| White Men Can't Jump | Imani | ||
| The Book of Clarence | Mary Magdalene | ||
| 2025 | Straw | Detective Kay Raymond | |
| One Battle After Another | Perfidia Beverly Hills | Academy Awards Nominated, Best Supporting Actress | |
| 2026 | The Rip | Detective Numa Baptiste | |
| 72 Hours† | TBA | Post-production[92][93] | |
| TBA | Slime† | TBA (voice) | In production[94] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | My Super Sweet 16 | Herself | Episode: "Teyana Taylor" |
| 2008 | It's Showtime at the Apollo | Herself | Episode: "Teyana Taylor" |
| 2015 | America's Best Dance Crew | Herself/Judge | Season 8 |
| 2016 | Fashion Police | Herself/Guest | Episode: "2016 American Music Awards" |
| 2017 | The Breaks | Imani X | Recurring cast |
| Ridiculousness | Herself | Episode: "Teyana Taylor" | |
| 2017–2018 | Hip Hop Squares | Herself | 4 episodes |
| Star | Joyce Sheree | Recurring cast: season 2, guest: season 3 | |
| 2018 | Hit the Floor | London Scott | Main cast: season 4 |
| The Hollywood Puppet Show | Herself | Episode: "Teyana Taylor and Jhene Aiko" | |
| The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon | Herself/musical guest | Episode: "Daniel Radcliffe/Matt Czuchry/Teyana Taylor/Aerosmith" | |
| The Real | Herself/Guest Co-Host | Episode: "Teyana Taylor/Special Expanded Girl Chat/Snitched" | |
| Saturday Night Live | Herself | Episode: "Adam Driver/Kanye West" | |
| Teyana & Iman | Herself | Main cast | |
| 2019 | Complex Con(versations) | Herself | Episode: "Women in Streetwear" |
| The Ellen DeGeneres Show | Herself/musical guest | Episode: "Lily Tomlin/Rob Delaney/Sharon Horgan/Teyana Taylor" | |
| Rhythm + Flow | Herself | Episode: "Collaborations" | |
| 2020 | Barkitecture | Herself | Episode: "Teyana Taylor: Doggy Duplex" |
| 2021 | We Got Love Teyana & Iman | Herself | Main cast |
| Dancing with the Stars | Herself | Episode: "Grease Night" | |
| 2022 | The Masked Singer | Herself/Firefly | Contestant and winner onSeason 7 |
| Entergalactic | Boxing Coach (voice) | TV special | |
| 2025 | All's Fair | Milan | Main cast[95] |
| 2026 | Saturday Night Live | Herself (host) | Episode: "Teyana Taylor/Geese" |
Taylor has worked across film, music, and choreography. Beginning her career as a choreographer forBeyoncé's 2006 music video "Ring the Alarm", she later wonBest Dance Performance at theSoul Train Music Awards andBest Choreography at theMTV Video Music Awards for her work onKanye West's "Fade" (2016). As a music video director, she has worked withSchoolboy Q,Ty Dolla Sign,Monica, andLil Durk. She has won theBET Award for Video Director of the Year in 2020 and 2023, tying withBenny Boom for second-most wins in the category, behind Beyoncé.
Her acting breakthrough came with her performance inA Thousand and One (2023). For the role, she wonBest Breakthrough Performance from theNational Board of Review and received nominations from theIndependent Spirit Awards, theGotham Independent Film Awards, and theNAACP Image Awards.
In 2025, she was named Entertainer of the Year at theEbony Power 100. Her albumEscape Room received aGrammy Award nomination, while her performance in the Netflix filmStraw earned a nomination from the NAACP Image Awards. That same year, she starred in the filmOne Battle After Another and received Best Supporting honors from two of thethree major critics groups: theLos Angeles Film Critics Association and theNational Society of Film Critics. She was also the only performer that season nominated for Best Supporting Actress at theAcademy Awards,Critics' Choice Movie Awards,Golden Globe Awards,Actor Awards, andBAFTA Awards, winning the Golden Globe.[96]
What is my middle name? Me Shay Jacqueli.
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