Nepo Babies is the 2022 phrase that made so many celebrities mad. If you somehow missed the trend, a “nepo baby” is someone who was able to kick start their success due to having incredibly famous parents. Examples include Zoe Kravitz (daughter of Lenny Kravitz), Nic Cage (nephew of Francis Ford Coppola), and Jack Quaid (son of Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan).
However, has the phrase gone too far? What started as a fun turn of phrase to mock Hollywood and the entertainment industry’s somewhat incestuous hiring practices, the phrase inevitably mutated. Soon it became a label meaning “anyone whose parents are famous and have subsequently found success in the same industry.” A much debated Vulture article that “explained” the “nepo-verse” often becomes undone with weak examples. For example, Daniel Day-Lewis’ son, whose only notable acting role is The Daily Wire-funded Terror On The Prairie. Now, the multi-talented Teyana Taylor is pushing back against the label in that regard.
— Def Jam Recordings Africa (@defjamafrica) April 12, 2023
Taylor sat down with Interview Magazine as part of their Spring/Summer Issue. During the interview, she was asked to give her thoughts about the Nepo Baby phenomenon. “I’ve seen all these tweets like, “That’s crazy. I never knew Teyana was a nepo baby,” and I’m like, “Tell me who my celebrity parents are?” Taylor said. Taylor, whose mother Nikki works in the fashion industry, went into more detail about her big break, reality show My Sweet 16. “Let’s be clear. My mom was literally a workaholic, she worked her ass off to make sure I had everything that I needed. So by the time we got to my sweet 16, I had just signed my first contract with Star Trak, Pharrell Williams’s label, and me, my mom and Pharrell, and the label, we came together.”
Additionally, Taylor spoke more about what her mother meant to her growing up. “My mom worked in corporate America. Those hours are really crazy. So I had everything that I needed, but at certain times, I would feel like, “I want you. I’d rather have nothing and you than to have it all and have you overworking yourself.” That’s at a young age, not understanding the importance of her building this life for me.” So is Teyana Taylor a “nepo baby”? Not really, but she does make some good points about why the phrase got out of hand.
Teyana Taylor may have taken a step back from music, but her talents are shining through in other ways. The 32-year-old singer has returned to her acting career, starring in the drama A Thousand and One. She has received endless praise for her role as single mother, Inez, who kidnaps her son Terry from the foster care system. The film won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and received a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes since debuting in theaters. Speaking with Interview Magazine about her journey, Taylor says she couldn’t have imagined it.
“At 16, I was still thinking about skateboards,” Taylor laughed when speaking with interviewer Jeremy O. Harris. The mother of two and wife to retired NBA pro-Iman Shumpert, Taylor says her own mother, Nikki Taylor, helped her transform into Inez. She praised Nikky for working diligently to provide, despite Taylor’s longing for quality time as a child. After signing her first record deal with Pharrell, Nikki quit her job immediately. She would then become her daughter’s manager and a big part of Taylor’s success.
Teyana Taylor Praises New Film “A Thousand And One”
Taylor describes her role of Inez as embodying the hardworking women in her life. Continuing to gloat over her mother, Taylor admits Nikki harbors a lot of guilt for the lack of time she spent with her due to work. However, she maintains that she appreciates her mother’s sacrifices. As a mom herself now, the adored fashionista better understands the love of a mother. The role of Inez also demonstrates such compromises, as she risks her freedom simply to love her child.
This powerful film is the latest endeavor in Taylor’s post-music career. In 2020, she confirmed that she was retiring from recording. This decision followed a botched release of her LP “The Album,” which didn’t get much push from G.O.O.D Music/Def Jam. Still, the project debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B Albums. Sadly, “The Album” was snubbed during the 2021 Grammy’s ceremony for Best R&B Album. Judging by her current success, Taylor doesn’t necessarily need music. Though, her fans remain hopeful that one day she’ll change her mind.
Teyana Taylor is a woman of many talents. She’s a singer, a dancer, a choreographer, and an actress. Her career has spanned more than a decade. In that time, she has worked with artists like Beyoncé, Pharrell, Jay-Z, and more. While she may not be a household name as an actress, she has certainly been in her fair share of films and TV shows. Now, it seems that she is set to play the legendary Dionne Warwick in a new biopic that Taylor herself is helping to develop.
Oddly enough, Teyana Taylor got her start in film on the now-defunct MTV reality show, My Super Sweet Sixteen. The show featured extremely rich teens planning and executing their perfect sixteenth birthday parties. It was certainly a product of its time, as the flaunting of extreme wealth is generally frowned upon these days. Since then, Taylor has worked in many artistic mediums and proven herself to be a talented, multi-faceted artist. Through a friendship with Pharrell Williams, she was able to begin her music career and has now released three albums. Taylor has also continued to act, albeit mainly in more independent films. However, she recently starred in the drama A Thousand and One, a film that gives her talent a chance to really shine. With the new biopic in the works, it appears that Taylor might be setting herself up to be one of the new leading ladies in Hollywood.
Taylor Doing Right By Dionne Warwick
Teyana Taylor wears a long blazer with different patterns in red/blue/white and gold jewelry with rhinestones, outside before Thom Browne show. (Photo by Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images)
Teyana Taylor isn’t just winging it when it comes to playing the iconic Dionne Warwick. In an interview with The TamronHall Show, Taylor makes it clear that she wants to do right by Warwick and tell the story as it should be told. In fact, she says that she and Warwick talk all the time. “We talk almost every day,” said Taylor. “That’s my girl.”
In contrast to many biopics, Teyana Taylor wants to make sure nothing is more dramatized than it needs to be. She believes the story should be a truthful representation of the events of Warwick’s life. “A lot of these stories get misconstrued or dramatized to an extent,” Taylor clarified. “That’s not really where we want to go.” What do you think about this casting? Is Teyana Taylor the right choice to play the iconic Dionne Warwick? Let us know in the comments!
Teyana Taylor has been showing her acting skills and she’s not slowing down any time soon. The actor/director just revealed that she landed the role to play legendary soul singer Dionne Warwick in an upcoming biopic.
During a recent interview with The Tamron Hall Show, the Harlem songstress spoke about Warwick handpicking her for the role.
“We’re already working on it,” Teyana Taylor confirmed. “We’re in the building process right now. I’ve always wanted to make sure like, I could lock in with any person that I would be playing, you know? How Angela and Tina [Turner] was, how Jamie Foxx and Ray Charles, you know what I’m saying? Like, to really get to know them and I miss when movies was like that, when you get to know them and tap in and just bond.”
She continued: “We talk almost everyday. That’s my girl. Me, her, and her son. I mean, I’ve always been a firm believer in just always standing on safety. She’s had a wonderful career, you know, and I think right now it’s about making her feel as safe as possible so she can tell her story. A lot of these stories get misconstrued or extremely dramatized to an extent and that’s not where we want to go.”
Teyana Taylor let the tea spill to Tamron Hall, confirming that she’s in the process of playing Dionne Warwick in an eventual biopic.
“We’re already working on it,” Taylor said in a preview clip of their interview shared exclusively with Billboard. “We’re in the building process right now. I always wanted to make sure I could lock in with any person that I would be playing.”
During the interview, Taylor noted that she was pulling her inspiration from biopics of other famous musicians, including 1993’s What’s Love Got To Do With It about Tina Turner and 2004’s Ray about Ray Charles. “I miss when movies were like that, when you got to really get to know them and tap in,” she shared.
Details about her project portraying Warwick are still under wraps. However, Taylor revealed that the two of them are close and “talk every day.” She is also going to eat at her favorite Jersey Italian restaurant soon.
“I’ve always been a firm believer and stood on safety,” Taylor added. “She’s had a wonderful career, and I think right now is about making her feel as safe as possible to tell her story because a lot of these stories get misconstrued or dramatized to an extent. That’s not really where we want to go.”
Teyana Taylor is a jack of all trades and excels in every field she enters. In the new film, A THOUSAND AND ONE, the “Gonna Love Me” artist proudly steps into the lead role, playing a character named Inez, who is a Harlem, New York native just like herself.
And while most may view survival as a task in itself, having to take care of yourself and another human seems damn near impossible… especially in the inner city. A THOUSAND AND ONE sees Teyana (Inez) kidnapping her son (Terry) from his foster home, as they both attempt to navigate the hurdles of life, simultaneously having to adapt to the aftermath of gentrification.
The Source was invited to an exclusive, invite-only advanced screening of the film at WACO Theater Center in Los Angeles. Many emotions were felt during the two-hour film, from tears to laughter to everything in between.
Not only were Teyana’s acting skills impressively remarkable, but it was the storyline and messaging that viewers can resonate with most. Insert A.V. Rockwell, the indie filmmaker whose roots in New York directly inspired the film. Rockwell says seeing first-hand the impact of gentrification on the black neighborhoods in New York was the driving force, even stating she “felt like we were being erased as a city altogether.”
The end goal is to fight across generations for stability, creating a safe space, a safe home so you can work towards the American dream.” Serving as Rockwell’s major feature debut, the movie won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
The evening concluded with a super intimate Q&A between Rockwell and Beyonce’s mother, Ms. Knowles-Lawson. Read below as they discuss
Ms. Knowles: You did a great job on the film. How does it feel to share your film with the world?
It’s a really beautiful feeling of accomplishment. To create any movie is really such a feat. People have no idea what goes into it, people that don’t work in production or work on movies. Getting my first film made and getting to tell the story that I really wanted to tell, a story I really cared about and felt passionate about, is really a blessing. I feel so grateful and the way it’s been resonating with people means the most. It’s why I got up out of my bed every day for the years that I did spend on this in the first place, so this is a real triumph for me personally.
Ms. Knowles: This is your feature directorial debut. You’re also the writer, that’s amazing. Who did you draw inspiration on for the characters? Especially Inez and Lucky.
A.V. Rockwell: I pulled from all of my life experiences. With Inez, she was a composite of so many women that have been in my life. This was a very personal film for me. I also wrote her from a position of what do I want to see? I really want to see a woman like this empowered, I really want to see her strength celebrated. I wanted to see her fully in control of her own destiny, for better or worse. She really does, right until that last moment in the film when she’s making the decision of what’s going to happen next.
It was the same thing for Lucky, I was drawing on experiences on both sides. Experiences of men who I felt were great figures, great father figures. But through Lucky, you see somebody who’s a very great father, but not so much a great husband or great romantic partner. So much of this movie through Inez’ and Lucky’s relationship, you see dynamics between black men and women.
Again, really going back to the idea of we are not here to protest for you, we’re not here to fight for you or be a supporting character in your journey. We really are looking for people that are standing by us, holy completely. Loving us holy completely, and not just loving the parts of it that’s most convenient for me. Loving my skin color, my hair texture, love every part of what my experience is. Devote yourself to me the way I do for you, you see that very beautifully in their dynamic. I pulled so much of that for this real life.
Ms. Knowles: During the casting process, how did you know that you found your Inez in Teyana Taylor? She was amazing!
A.V. Rockwell: Teyana really did some outstanding work. I’m so proud of her and proud of our collaborative relationship, what we accomplished creatively. For me, it was important when I needed to make sure that I not only found an actress who had talent and depth to give to this performance and get to this character, but also had a truthfulness. Teyana could speak to this human being because she knows this woman, she’s been this woman at some point in her life. Those connected points were really important to me.
Obviously, she’s a homegirl herself and that’s a bonus. She’s a New York woman herself, but I felt like she was empathizing with Inez fully. Not looking down at her, because she’s so connected to this woman. That was really important to me. Because she’s not only
a woman who can relate to this character, but a mom. She put a lot of that even seeing what her dynamic was with the boys was really beautiful on set.
After seeing hundreds of women, actresses — some were established, some people unknown. By the time we got to Teyana’s tape, I really felt the difference. Our casting director, the same thing. “I looked at Teyana’s tape, and I was smitten by it.” We immediately knew that something was there.
Teyana had her own story to tell, her own pain that she could get out through this character. I always told her to embrace that, to embrace the parts of herself that people told her not to love. Because this character is on a self-love journey. I told Tiana to pull from the places that she has been told about herself to reject. No, you embrace all of that.
Ms. Knowles: What do you hope that audiences take away, more than anything after seeing A THOUSAND AND ONE?
A.V. Rockwell: There’s so much in this film. I wrote it from a very nuanced place, so there is so much to take away in terms of the themes. In some ways, I feel like the movie doesn’t belong to me anymore, it belongs to people. They’re gonna interpret it in so many ways, beyond what I even had in mind as I was writing it.
For me at minimum, if it is healing for mothers and sons, that’s a win for me. Because people have the opportunity to see their moms and how complicated they are, in a better way and hopefully it nurtures our relationship. Ro me, this story was about unrequited love in so many ways. Not only within people within communities. How people relate to the cities and neighborhoods that they live in. Harlem in particular, it’s the mecca for Black history and culture, and to see it potentially being erased by gentrification and all the policies that set the stage for gentrification is really devastating.
Teyana Taylor had a good time last night (March 23) during her appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to support her new movie A Thousand And One. She discussed her funny interaction with Justin Bieber during a celebrity basketball game, and she also dished on her experience teaching Beyoncé the “Chicken Noodle Soup” dance when she was only 15 years old.
“She originally wanted to learn the ‘Chicken Noodle Soup,’” she told Kimmel, and then clarified, “This is a popular Harlem dance. I’m from Harlem. I’m battling everybody, and she wanted to learn. So they called me and I was like 15 years old, so I hopped off the bed onto my skateboard and went down there.”
She was surprised at the time, saying she “didn’t even know I would have that opportunity.” Beyoncé even advocated for her to spice up Jay-Z’s music videos as well.
“She was like a proud aunt. She was like, ‘I told you she’s a superstar,’” she said.
When Kimmel asked if Jay-Z thought she was a superstar as well, she answered, “He did. But first he tried to give me a hard time, because we’re both a Sagittarius. So he was testing me.”
Some couples have great meet-cute stories to tell at parties. It’s a pretty safe bet, though, that if it were a competition, no one would be able to top Teyana Taylor and Iman Shumpert‘s tale, which involves Justin Bieber, celebrity basketball, and Spike Tee’s stellar defensive instincts.
Taylor recounted the thrilling yarn during her appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Thursday night to promote her new movie A Thousand And One, which apparently has a 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. After she recalled her first meeting with Beyoncé (to teach her the Chicken Noodle Soup dance), Kimmel pulled out a photo of Taylor with Justin Bieber that was taken during a celebrity basketball game. In it, Bieber’s dribbling while being chased by Taylor, both grimacing from the effort.
“I was on his ass,” Taylor joked. “He was kinda showing off ’cause he knew he was good. I said, ‘Oh yeah? Aight, bet.’… But that was the very moment that my husband fell in love with me. He’s like, ‘Who is that girl? Her defense is on point!’” She said the similarity between them — Shumpert was known as a defensive specialist during his NBA days — got his attention but she made his pursuit… well, interesting.
“Even though he was feeling [me] this day, he didn’t get me that day!” she proclaimed. She explained, though, that it was three years before she agreed to go out with him. He remained persistent and they became friends and business partners (Taylor took on Shumpert as a styling client), but after getting to know him — and see him with his shirt off — they fell in love.
Teyana Taylor-multi-talented artist; fans know her as an incredible singer, brilliant dancer, and talented actress. While she has achieved tremendous success in the music industry, she has also made a name for herself on the big and small screens.
In 2023, she is set to star in the highly anticipated movie A Thousand and One, which is already generating buzz among fans and critics alike. But in the meantime, here is a list of the roles that have already set her up as a rising icon.
#10 Stomp the Yard: Homecoming (2010)
Teyana Taylor plays Rena in the movie Stomp the Yard. Critics praised Taylor’s performance, noting it brought energy and charisma to her role. Taylor’s performance during the freestyle dance scene, where the characters engage in a dance battle, was phenomenal.
She was electric as she executed each move with precision and grace. Her dance style was unique, blending hip-hop and contemporary dance moves, and her energy was infectious, igniting the entire dance floor.
In After Party, Taylor plays Blasia, a record label executive who becomes an important figure in the show. Taylor’s character is tough and savvy, and Taylor’s performance adds credibility to the movie.
Fans and critics applauded Taylor’s performance, noting that she brought depth and complexity to Blasia. Some even dubbed Taylor a “scene-stealer” Her performance was seen as one of the film’s strongest elements, adding nuance to a complex character. Taylor’s performance when Blasia confronts Owen is powerful and emotional, as she conveys her feelings of betrayal and disappointment.
At the same time, Teyana Taylor also exhibits a sense of compassion and understanding. Her acting in this scene is subtle and authentic. Additionally, it highlights Taylor’s ability to bring strength and vulnerability to her characters, making her performance all the more captivating.
#8 The Trap (2019)
Taylor plays Mya in the crime comedy The Trap. Mya is a loyal and supportive girlfriend, and Taylor brings layers to a character that could easily have been a one-dimensional damsel in distress. When Mya confronts Mike about his involvement in criminal activities, Taylor’s acting mastery glows.
Taylor, nevertheless, delivers her lines with conviction and intensity. She demonstrates a range of emotions, from anger and frustration to vulnerability and love. The scene highlights Taylor’s ability to portray strong, multidimensional characters.
In Brotherly Love, Taylor plays Tastytaste. Tastytaste is strong-willed and independent but has her own dreams and ambitions. Critics and fans noted that Taylor was the best thing about the movie.
When Tastytaste confronts June in a heated argument is a fantastic representation of Taylor’s acting ability. Tastytaste stands up for herself and demands respect. Her performance is raw and emotional.
As the argument escalates, Taylor’s performance becomes more powerful, and she asserts her character’s agency and autonomy in an empowering way.
#6 Taylor in Honey: Rise Up and Dance (2018)
In Honey: Rise Up and Dance, Taylor portrays Skyler. Skyler is a talented, formidable dancer and mentor. Taylor’s performance was a standout in the film, and her impressive dance skills were an impressive highlight.
In the final dance competition scene, Skyler takes the stage and delivers a high-energy routine that incorporates a variety of styles, including hip-hop and contemporary dance. Taylor’s dancing is both precise and expressive, as she effortlessly moves through the choreography with fluidity and grace.
In addition, she exudes confidence and charisma, commanding the stage with every step and gesture. This scene highlights Taylor’s impressive dance skills and showcases her ability to captivate an audience in any setting.
#5 Madea’s Big Happy Family (2011)
Taylor played the character of Sabrina in Madea’s Big Happy Family. Despite her limited screen time, Taylor received praise for her emotional performance. Her performance was described as compelling and raw, adding a much-needed layer of vulnerability to Sabrina.
One amazing scene that showcases Taylor’s performance is a dramatic confrontation between Sabrina and her boyfriend. Taylor delivers a heart-wrenching performance that captures the character’s pain and vulnerability.
Moreover, her emotions feel exposed and genuine, and her acting is subtle yet powerful. This scene showcases Taylor’s range as an actress, allowing her to explore her character’s dramatic and emotional depths and elevating the film beyond a typical Tyler Perry comedy.
#4 Hit the Floor (2013-2018)
In Hit the Floor, Taylor played the character of London, a wild-child dancer who joins the team and causes drama both on and off the court. Taylor received praise from fans and critics for her natural charisma and chemistry with the other cast members.
Above all, her impressive dance skills and magnetic stage presence shone brightly. Taylor showcases her skills in performance in the episode “Blow Out.” London struggles to keep up with the others and falls behind.
However, when the time comes, Taylor’s dance moves are sharp and precise, and her energy is infectious. The scene spotlights Taylor’s incredible dance skills, but it also highlights her ability to bring a sense of fun and excitement to any character she is playing.
#3 Star (2016-2019)
Taylor plays Joyce Sheree in the TV series Star. Taylor’s experience as a singer and rapper in real life undoubtedly added a layer of authenticity and energy to the series.
Taylor’s acting and rapping skills are fully displayed in the episode “Mrs. Rivera” from the second season. She effortlessly commands the stage with her presence.
Her performance is full of charisma and attitude, and the camera captures her dynamic movements. Overall, the scene highlights Taylor’s talents as a performer, showcasing her ability to bring a high level of realism and vitality.
In Coming 2 America, Teyana Taylor plays Bopoto, one of the dancers who perform at the royal wedding. Taylor’s role was initially written as a smaller, non-speaking part, but the film’s director expanded it after seeing her perform.
In general, Taylor’s energy brought a fresh and compelling element to the film’s musical numbers. Taylor effortlessly transitions between dance styles, from traditional African to modern hip-hop, showcasing her versatility.
In addition to her dancing, Taylor’s scene with Lavelle (Jermaine Fowler) allowed her comedic timing to be fully demonstrated. She shines as she delivers her lines with perfect timing and sass.
In The Breaks, Taylor plays Imani X, a highly talented rapper introduced as a competitor. Imani is a confident and skilled rapper with her own ideas about succeeding in the male-dominated industry.
Additionally, Taylor’s natural acting ability impressed the show’s creators, and they decided to expand her character’s storyline beyond the initial plans. Critics noted Taylor as appearing entirely at home on screen.
Her rap scenes were exciting, and her acting ability brought a powerful presence to the show. Teyana Taylor brings energy and confidence that is palpable as she effortlessly delivers her lines and rhymes with precision and attitude throughout the show.
Sundance Film Festival’s annual event was held in Salt Lake City, Utah towards the end of last month. Among the winners was A Thousand and One, an emotional rollercoaster of a film starring the multifaceted Teyana Taylor. The movie sees the trending fashionista as its leading lady, a struggling, Harlem-bred mother named Inez. A Thousand and One was awarded the prestigious Grand Jury Prize on January 27th.
Film critics are calling the drama “A love letter to mothers, sons, and hustlers of NYC.” Written and directed by A.V. Rockwell, the movie sees an impoverished Taylor fighting to do right by her son, who was kept from her through foster care. According to film officials, the “mother and son set out to reclaim their sense of home, identity, and stability, in a rapidly changing New York City.” In the trailer, we watch as Inez goes to war in the concrete jungle, with a chain of scenes showing Taylor’s improved acting chops. The Chi actressLena Waithe is notably listed as a producer on the film as well.
Teyana Taylor stars alongside actors Will Catlett, Josiah Cross, and Aven Courtney in the Harlem heart wrencher. Courtney plays Terry, Inez’s six-year-old son, while Cross portrays the character as an adult. Taylor is currently reposting supporters on Instagram now that A Thousand and One officially hits theaters nationwide on March 31st. “It’s here,” the famed sneakerhead wrote in a caption. This will be Taylor’s latest on-screen appearance since appearing in Kid Cudi’s animated Netflix series, Entergalactic. Her claim to acting fame comes from her unforgettable role as “Byron”-yelling Sabrina in 2011’s Madea’s Big Happy Family.
Furthermore, the Focus Features presentation has won the hearts of many already, with many from the festival commenting on the trailer. “I was a part of the crew on this film and the entire shoot had me in tears,” writes YouTube user Poetic Fire. “The rawness and beauty of this story is going [to] break your heart wide open. It’s a true masterpiece.” Additionally, one Sundance attendee says “Having seen the film, this trailer had me in tears. Go see it!” The trailer has nearly one million views since its release a few hours ago, racking over 500,000 on Twitter alone.
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