Teyana Taylor On How She Overcame Being Typecast As A “Scorching Chick”

Teyana Taylor needed to battle to be taken significantly as an actress earlier than her breakthrough efficiency in “A Thousand and One.”

Earlier than her critically acclaimed efficiency within the 2023 drama, the singer felt she wasn’t allowed to indicate off her performing vary. 

“I used to be getting approached for roles that have been both humorous or I used to be simply the scorching chick. And I didn’t need to be the new chick. I needed individuals to take me significantly,” she advised W Journal.

Teyana Taylor, who beforehand appeared in light-hearted movies akin to “Coming 2 America” and Madea’s Huge Completely happy Household, added, “Performing was at all times at the back of my thoughts. I had achieved small stuff, however it wasn’t something that I felt actually confirmed my vary. ‘A Thousand and One’ is my breakout, take-me-serious, I’m-here-and-I’m-here-to-stay sort of position.” 

In “A Thousand and One,” Teyana Taylor performs Inez de la Paz, who kidnaps her son from the foster care system after being launched from Rikers Island jail.

The singer has been critically acclaimed for her position, successful Finest Breakthrough Efficiency on the Nationwide Board of Overview Awards. 

Elsewhere within the interview, Teyana defined that she crafted her music movies to showcase what she may do as an actress.

“Coming into the music trade, they sort of make you must select, and I didn’t need to be caught in a single field,” she stated. “So I began to place my performing chops into my music movies. I additionally direct my very own music movies, so I might ensure that all of them had a story.” 

Teyana has additionally directed music movies for Sean “Diddy” Combs, Macy Grey, Schoolboy Q and others.

She is filming Paul Thomas Anderson’s newest venture alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, and Regina Corridor.