Teyana Taylor | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Taylor in April 2023 | |
| Born | Teyana Me Shay Jacqueline Taylor[1] (1990-12-10)December 10, 1990 (age 34) 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 Jacqueli Taylor (born December 10, 1990)[8] is an American singer, songwriter, actress, model, dancer, choreographer, and music video director.[9] After choreographing the video forBeyoncé's 2006 single "Ring the Alarm," she signed a recording contract withthe Neptunes'Star Trak Entertainment, an imprint ofInterscope Records, the following year. Taylor appeared onMTV'sMy Super Sweet 16 prior to the release of her 2008 debut single, "Google Me." She gained further attention for her uncredited guest appearances onKanye West's 2010 songs "Dark Fantasy" and "Hell of a Life", both from his album,My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010). She parted ways with Star Trak and Interscope two years later, signing with West'sGOOD Music, an imprint ofDef Jam Recordings.
Taylor appeared on the GOOD Music compilation albumCruel Summer (2012), which peaked at number two on theBillboard 200. Her first three studio albums,VII (2014),K.T.S.E. (2018),The Album (2020), were met with positive critical reception, with the latter reaching the top ten on theBillboard 200. Her fourth albumEscape Room (2025), earned aGrammy Award nomination forBest R&B Album. She has collaborated with artists such asMissy Elliott andLauryn Hill, as well asWu-Tang Clan membersGhostface Killah,Method Man, andRaekwon, who were featured on her single "Gonna Love Me", which receivedplatinum certification from theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
As an actress, she had early film roles inStomp the Yard: Homecoming (2010) andMadea's Big Happy Family (2011).[10] Her portrayal of Inez in the 2023 filmA Thousand and One earned her theNational Board of Review Award for Breakthrough Performance.[11] In 2025, she appeared inTyler Perry'sStraw, which toppedNetflix's movie chart for consecutive weeks, before starring oppositeLeonardo DiCaprio in the filmOne Battle After Another to critical acclaim.[12][13] On television, she acted in theFox music drama seriesStar (2017–18) and starred in theRyan Murphy legal dramaAll's Fair (2025). She is set to star in theMatt Damon andBen Affleck producedactionmystery filmThe Rip (2026).
In other ventures, Taylor collaborated withAdidas on the 2013 Harlem GLC sneaker, which sold out faster than any other Adidas shoe at the time.[14] She also starred in and co-choreographed West's 2016 "Fade" music video, earning theMTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography. Taylor has directed music videos under the name "Spike Tee" for several artists, including herself, and received theBET Award for Video Director of the Year in 2020 and 2023.[15] She also starred alongside her ex-husband,Iman Shumpert, in theVH1 reality television seriesTeyana and Iman (2020–2023), which chronicled their family life.
Teyana Taylor was born on December 10, 1990, to Nikki Taylor and Tito Smith, inHarlem, New York City. She is ofAfrican American descent. Teyana is her mother's only child, while her father has two sons and another daughter from a different relationship. She grew up with her mother who 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.[10] As part of GOOD Music, Taylor appeared on the GOOD Music compilation albumCruel Summer, released September 18, 2012.[35] 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".[36] 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'."[37]
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.[38] 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.[39][40] 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.[41]
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.[42] On August 25, Taylor releasedThe Cassette Tape 1994, paying tribute to the iconic90s sound in music by including manysamples from 90s hits.[43]
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.[44] 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.[45] The video, directed byEli Russell Linnetz, also featured an appearance by Taylor's husband,Iman Shumpert.[46]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.[47] An updated version of the album was supposed to be released, but Taylor announced that plans were canceled for it.[48]
Taylor released a collaboration single, "Morning", with fellow R&B singerKehlani in November 2019.[49][50] On December 6, 2019, Taylor released the single "We Got Love".[51] On May 7, 2020, Taylor announced that her third studio album is titledThe Album and would be released sometime in June 2020.[52] 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.[53] It debuted at number 8 on theBillboard 200, earning Taylor her first top 10 album.[54]
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."[55] 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.[56] For her starring performance in the 2023 filmA Thousand and One, she won theBreakthrough Performance Award from theNational Board of Review.[57][58][59]
In March 2025, Taylor was featured onWill Smith's albumBased on a True Story.[60] On June 6, 2025, Taylor was featured on a remix to singerCiara's single "Ecstasy", which also featuredNormani.[61][62] 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.[63][64][65] The album was accompanied by a 38-minute short film co-starring actorsAaron Pierre andLaKeith Stanfield, which was uploaded to YouTube.[66]
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.[67] 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 her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Gotham Awards in 2025.[68]
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 currently holds the record for fastest selling sneakers inAdidas Originals history.[69] She is currently focused on designing and releasing her second pair of sneakers with the brand.[citation needed] 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.[70]
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.[71]
Taylor began dating basketball playerIman Shumpert circa 2013.[72] In 2015, after she went into early labor, Shumpert assisted in her delivery of their baby girl.[73] On September 20, 2016, onThe Wendy Williams Show, Taylor implied that she and Shumpert had "maybe" married secretly, but the wedding was not until October 1, 2016, approximately two weeks after the interview.[74][75][76]
On June 12, 2020, Taylor confirmed her second pregnancy in the music video for her single "Wake Up Love".[77][78][79] On September 17, 2023, Taylor and Shumpert announced their separation, with Taylor revealing via Instagram that she and Iman had been separated for months.[80] In 2024, Taylor’s divorce from Shumpert was finalized.[81]In 2025, Taylor began dating English actorAaron Pierre.[82]
In August 2025, Taylor underwent surgery to remove a noncancerous growth on hervocal cords.[83] That same month, Taylor was held in contempt of court after a judge determined that she had violated the terms of her divorce judgment. As a result, she was ordered to pay $70,000 in legal fees to Shumpert's legal representation.[84]
| † | 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 | ||
| 2026 | The Rip† | TBA | Post-production |
| TBA | 72 Hours† | TBA | Filming[85][86] |
| 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[87] |
What is my middle name? Me Shay Jacqueli.
{{cite web}}:|last= has generic name (help)| International | |
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