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Teyana Taylor has kept herself quite busy these last couple of years. Besides starring in Coming to America 2, Teyana started the nail salon, Junie Bee, in Harlem two years ago and became the new creative director for U.K.-based retailer, PrettyLittleThing, in December. Recently, Teyana collaborated with Olay’s body care collection (because she loves self care) and will be portraying Dionne Warwick in an unnamed series. Teyana turned thirty in December and she has a few things to say about crossing that milestone birthday. Below are a few excerpts from her interview with People:
PEOPLE: Tell us a little about what self-care looks like to you?
Teyana Taylor: “Especially being a mom, it’s important to me to make sure I find time to give myself that little self-care. Even if it’s just massaging my face or body. I love putting my lotions on while my skin is still wet. Olay has a Nighttime Rinse-off Body Conditioner that I have been using. I know it sounds weird, but when you put conditioner in your hair and rinse it out, your hair is super-soft, right? That’s how I feel about this lotion.”
PEOPLE: After much chatter on social media, legendary Dionne Warwick confirmed that a series based on her life is in the works! What does being involved in this project mean to you?
Teyana Taylor: “It was a fight to be able to have this opportunity and to play a role of someone that I look up to and you love, such an iconic person. To me, it’s a feeling I almost can’t explain. I’ve done a lot of movies and TV shows, but I still feel like I never really got the chance for people to really see me act. And I never got a chance to be in a serious film, where I literally have to bring somebody else’s story to life. So, that in itself is a whole ‘nother level of pressure. But one thing about me is, any role that I’m playing, I go full in. I don’t half a– anything.”PEOPLE: What else is on your thirties bucket list?
Teyana Taylor: “I think to like actually really live, you know what I’m saying? Have you ever noticed how busy our lives are from kids? And in your twenties you’re still finding yourself. Your thirties is like when you really start to come into your own and know yourself. And I think that’s where things start to calm down a little bit. That kind of was my goal. I’ve always wanted to be a mom and a wife. I always wanted to feel stable, you know? But still grow.So when I turned 30, this is a new time, a new moment to really just like live, love and be yourself unapologetically. Not caring about people’s opinions, not care about other people’s judgment, really just focusing on you and your loved ones.”
I didn’t know who Teyana Taylor was until she did that Fade video with Kanye West in 2016 eight months after having her daughter. And since then, I have been watching her make a sh*t ton of boss moves that have left me in awe. Teyana took one moment and capitalized the hell out of it. I know she had been working on her music and dance career before Fade, but it was the Fade video that launched her career. Teyana is also stunning so I am sure there will be more opportunities coming her way to be in film and music.
As far as turning thirty, I believe your thirties are when you go through a sort of metamorphosis. If you follow astrology your thirties are kicked off by your first Saturn return which can be hell or bliss depending on how you respond to it. Saturn comes in to shake loose all beliefs and behaviors that don’t serve us. If you hold on tightly that two year period between 28 and 31 can be hell. It seems that Teyana has been wise and brave enough to let go of the things that don’t serve her because her star is taking off. I hope to see her fully live out her thirties as a mother, artist, and entrepreneur.
I also look forward to seeing Teyana in the Dionne Warwick biopic. As a child of the seventies, I grew up listening to Dionne. I have been enjoying following Auntie Dionne on Twitter. Dionne always has me in stitches with her clapbacks and shenanigans. Congratulations to Teyana on all of the opportunities coming her way. I look forward to seeing where Teyana’s star takes her.
That is so true. I think there would be a lot less divorces if everyone waited until their 30s to marry. Most people don’t know themselves or what they want before then.
I don’t think that would help. We’ve changed the cultural message about marriage from lifelong institution to something to don and doff at different stages.
I am 39 and I have thoroughly enjoyed my 30s. I had my kids at 30 and 32, so the past decade hasnt involved a lot of “finding myself” lol, more like finding matching socks, but I still have really enjoyed getting older. My 20s were weird bc I was in law school, studying for the bar, and then was finding a job etc, so I dont know that I really “lived life” in my 20s, at least not the way other college friends were doing, so maybe that’s been part of the appeal of my 30s – career security, financial security, etc.
I turn 40 next year and I’m looking forward to it.
I’ve liked Teyana since her “google me” years. She’s since grown up leaps and bounds. Cant wait to see what else is in store for her cause she’s always seemed fame adjacent (talented but never SUPER famous).
I clicked on this so fast lol – I love her and am turning 30 this year, so have been doing lots of reflecting on what that means. Though Teyana is truly killing it with careers in multiple fields, 2 kids, being married! And she’s only my age 😅
Oya, tell me more about this Saturn astrology thing? Feel like I’ve heard of it but not too much!
Oya, I have never heard of this Saturn astrology thing. I have noticed a major shift in my life since I had my daughter at 26. Just focusing on myself, not comparing myself to others. I turn 28 this year and I am really looking forward to my 30s!
Also, Teyana is body goals!
Love her unapologetic joy and her unapologetic success, and her young family is adorable. I also know her from the Kanye video. It’s beautiful to see her husband love up on her and their children too.
Looking forward to more of her!