The Evolution Of Teyana Taylor
Intro by Teneshia Carr
Interview by Lena Waithe
In the ever-evolving realm of contemporary culture, Teyana Taylor emerges as an emblem of versatility and raw talent. Taylor, a powerhouse in the realms of music, dance, and acting, has long been celebrated for her unparalleled talent and unwavering authenticity. Now, at a pivotal moment in her career, she is poised to redefine her artistic trajectory. With a series of innovative projects and collaborations in the pipeline, Taylor is not just moving forward; she’s aiming to revolutionize the way we perceive artistry in the new age. Her next steps are a blend of fearless experimentation and a deep commitment to her roots, promising to bring fresh, groundbreaking perspectives to her already impressive repertoire. As we delve into her world with the help of actress, producer, and screenwriter Lena Waithe, it becomes clear that for Teyana Taylor, evolution is not just about change; it’s about transformation.
LW: What is the best thing about being Teyana Taylor?
TT: Oh my God, nobody ever asked me that question before. What’s the best thing about being Teyana Taylor? I get to inspire others and get to inspire others to follow their dreams, and I don’t know, that’s such a good and random question at the same time. I don’t know. What’s the question again?
LW: What’s the best thing about being Teyana Taylor?
TT: What’s the best thing?
LW: I love how the first question got you stumped and impressed. That’s perfect. But I like your answer. You’re saying you’re able to inspire people. Because I’m sure you can guess what the follow-up question is going to be.
TT: What’s the follow-up question?
LW: What’s the worst thing about being Teyana Taylor?
TT: Oh Lord. I think that’s easier to answer. It’s crazy because I feel like what many people don’t know, something that’s super low-key about me, is that I have bad social anxiety, and I’m really shy, and it’s hard for people to believe. You notice I never know how to pose when I’m on a carpet.
LW: I’m aware of that. I know this about you.
TT: You know me. I’d be like, “Lena, can we walk through the back?” I don’t like walking red carpets. And even though I am who I am, I still am shy when meeting people. And I mean, I hate that for me, because I get nervous a lot. I’m an overthinker for sure, which is a good and bad thing. I overthink things that didn’t even deserve a space in my mind or in my energy. Sometimes we just get so caught up in walking forward that we don’t really take time to sit back and think things through on a back end, and also to sit back and just take in all your blessings and give thanks and be grateful.
LW: Well, speaking of that leads me to another question about the evolution of your style. And it’s so interesting because whenever you do show up on these carpets, even though I know you may be a little anxious or nervous, I wonder how much of a thought process goes into that. So is it effortless or are you overthinking the fashion stuff as well?
TT: You know what’s crazy? It’s a little bit of both. It’s super effortless. I think the only overthinking is how it may look on my body or is this too much or is this not? But other than that, I love to get dressed. Every morning, I already get my day together in my dream. I’m making an intention of what I want to do. So I feel like that is my alarm clock. I always know when I’m about to wake up because I start thinking about what my day’s going to be like and what I’m going to wear. This Rick Owen Peace I got in my closet with these new boots I just bought.
I see it in my dreams before I wake up. By the time I wake up, I’m already ripping and running and know what I want to do. So yeah, I’d be excited to put pieces together, and honestly, a lot of shit, I just get from the store.
LW: I love it. That takes me to A Thousand and One because the movie takes us through a different time. It goes back to the nineties. And so I’m curious to know how was that for you? Obviously, you had to get into the character, and the character is very much in a very turbulent time in her life and trying to survive and figure things out, but she still got that Harlem swag and those earrings and the slick back ponytail and the jeans and whatnot. How much of that spoke to you and helped you get into character?
TT: The stylist on set was amazing. I loved it because everybody was so collaborative and because I am in love with the nineties, so it was the perfect team to have. It’s like that coming-of-age moment, and I’ve always wanted to be grown in the nineties. So to be able to be Inez and be grown in the nineties, Ooh, girl, I took advantage of that.
LW: I think when you do certain projects, it changes you. I wasn’t the same after we made the Thanksgiving episode. I wasn’t the same after The Chi came out. I wasn’t the same after Queen and Slim. So I’m coming through a portal, you know what I’m saying? I’m not the same person anymore. So I feel like you have definitely walked through a portal with A Thousand and One, and I’m also a believer in balance. As good things come, so does turbulence. So, can you talk to me about how A Thousand and One has changed you, Teyana?
TT: Wow. Wow. A Thousand and One has changed me tremendously. I think also I want to say maybe even healed a lot of, or I don’t want to say a lot of, but some of my trauma, specifically my childhood trauma, things that I probably didn’t understand then that by doing this movie, I understood now. And even in the midst of doing that, I understood what it was like to truly be a mom. You know what I’m saying? You know, everybody that know me know I don’t play by my kids. I love my babies, but I never raised a 17-year-old teenage boy. I never raised a 14-year-old teenage boy. So I learned a lot. I’m looking at my two oldest and I’m like, “Well damn baby.” I was looking at my mom. I had to apologize to my mother. I said, “Well baby, was this me? Was I talking back? Was I getting slick? Baby shit.” Because I’m throw some bows in here.
LW: Yeah, we saw your sweet 16, we saw you.
TT: You know what I’m saying? So I think being a mom and seeing that made me understand the different masks and capes that we have to wear as well. I really feel like mothers are the true, women in general are the true superheroes. You know what I’m saying? Because we do have to pop on our mask and our cape and the whole onesie and the snatched belt because we have to go out and save the world at the end of the day and then still come home and just kind of cover our shit up with these little tiny bandaids, you know what I’m saying? Because the work doesn’t stop. Being a shero doesn’t stop. And I think that how Inez has changed my life, not even just as a mother.
How Inez changed my life, even my career, I want to say, because this was the first time that I was really able to channel and use me and just channel raw emotion into a character. And this was a character I didn’t have to act. I didn’t have to act to be Inez. I had to feel to be Inez, I had to go through some things to be Inez. I had to experience some things to be Inez. I was Inez in a lot of ways. A lot of our colors were aligned, a lot of our layers were aligned.
TW: So I think even now when I go into anything, going even out of A Thousand and One, but going into The Book of Clarence, I took a lot of Inez into The Book of Clarence. You know what I’m saying? I was able to channel my colors and knowing how to, okay, let me … Now I color coordinate everything that I do so I know how to tap in and out of certain emotions, which just career-wise too, Inez has made me so much better, made me an even better mom because I’m an amazing mom, but an even better mom. It made me an even more amazing daughter than what I already was. It made me understand all the women around me so much more than I already understood.
LW: What I loved about this journey on A Thousand and One, which obviously before we even embarked on filming, I think obviously I knew and you knew it would be a different chapter for you. It would be something new and it would definitely force people to take you seriously as an actress. I definitely think people have done that, and kudos to you on the nominations that you’ve garnered and that you hope will continue to garner. But how much should people look to acting as really sort of a new path for you? It’s not brand new, but I think the way you’re stepping into it in terms of something like this, and obviously I’m super excited to see The Book of Clarence. I mean, James is such a beast in terms of what he does and what he’s able to accomplish. I’m beyond excited. I don’t get excited about shit, but I’m excited to see that film and obviously very proud that you’re a part of it.
LW: I love what you’re doing on screen, not just for us, but obviously what you’re doing just in general. So is that the next chapter? Is that the rest of this journey for you, just acting?
TT: Honestly, the space that I’m in right now, I’m enjoying the actress, Teyana Taylor. And I’m enjoying it because I say I want to go where I’m seen, where I’m heard, you know what I’m saying? Where I’m valued, where I’m cherished. I think that it’s a lot of fun to be able to just tap into these different characters and show your range. I enjoy it a lot. I think it’s great therapy for me because it’s bigger than just singing a song . One thing about this acting world is if they see you, they see you. No matter how small, how big the movie is. You got the acting chops, you got the acting chops. So to be celebrated genuinely and to be celebrated for just raw talent, it means a lot.
LW: I will say this too, lastly about your music. I know it’s been a frustrating journey, but I know I don’t just speak for myself, and there are those of us who have your stuff on our classic playlists that continue to pop up, and we continue to go back to. And I know that’s not easy. That’s not an easy thing to do, is have music that people want to go back to. And I think you’re definitely in that lane, which is a beautiful thing.
And I think the great thing about A Thousand and One, and I think Book of Clarence, even though I haven’t seen it yet, I already know it’s going to be one of those films that it just lasts forever. And so that’s amazing, and I hope as you continue to grow in your career, but from what I’ve seen, it is just that you make stuff that people care about, that obviously touches people. And you’ve connected, and people have watched you evolve and grow. And I’m honored to be on the journey and to continue to be on that journey with you as you continue to evolve. And I just love you. I’m proud of you, and I’m excited to see what you continue to do.
TT: Love you too, sis. Thank you. And thank you for always just believing in me and loving on me since day one.