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.
