Teyana Taylor on Switching from Music to Film: 'Everyone Told Me It Was Dumb'

Teyana Taylor is reflecting on when she felt ready to leave the music industry behind.

Taylor was featured in Time for the magazine’s Women of the Year feature on Thursday, Feb. 26. In the interview, the Oscar-nominated actress recalled when she felt ready to leave the music industry in 2020 due to feeling unsupported.

“Everybody told me it was dumb,” Taylor said. “And I was like, ‘No, I am going to be a great actress. One day, I am going to be a great director.'”

Taylor has starred in numerous films over the years including Coming 2 America, White Men Can’t Jump, and One Battle After Another. She received a first time Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Perfidia in One Battle After Another.

Reflecting on her Oscar nomination, Taylor told Time, “Even if I go home empty-handed, I have won.” She also said that the nomination has given her the opportunity to bond with her “awards season bestie” Jacob Elordi.

“We’re young, we’re blessed, we’re being celebrated—this is the time to be happy and to have fun with it,” she said. “Especially in a space that some people take so serious, and some people are cold, some people are robotic.”

When sharing her hopes for the future, Taylor said, “I would love the EGOT. And if I don’t get that Tony, guess what that T is gonna stand for? Teyana.”

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