Teyana Taylor, born December 10, 1990, in Harlem, New York, is a dynamic American entertainer celebrated for her talents as a singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, choreographer, director and model.
She burst onto the scene in 2007 with MTV’s My Super Sweet 16 and her choreography for Beyoncé’s “Ring the Alarm” video at age 15.
Though she announced a music retirement in 2020 due to industry frustrations, she returned with “The Last Rose Petal” tours in 2021 and 2022.
Beyond music, Taylor has made significant strides in acting and directing.
Her film career began with Stomp the Yard: Homecoming (2010) and includes standout roles in Madea’s Big Happy Family (2011) and A Thousand and One (2023), the latter earning her a National Board of Review Breakthrough Performance Award.
Parents
Teyana’s parents are Nikki Taylor and Tito Smith.
Her mother, Nikki, played a central role in her life, raising her as a single parent in Harlem, New York City.
Nikki has been a significant influence, not only as a supportive figure but also as Teyana’s manager throughout much of her career.
Teyana has often credited her mother for her drive and success, highlighting their close bond.
Teyana’s father, Tito Smith, has a less prominent presence in her public narrative. He is her biological father, but he and Nikki were not together during Teyana’s upbringing.
Tito has other children—two sons and a daughter—from another relationship, making Teyana a half-sibling to them.
Career
Taylor first gained recognition in 2007 on MTV’s My Super Sweet 16, but her talents were already evident when, at 15, she choreographed Beyoncé’s “Ring the Alarm” video.
That year, she signed with Pharrell Williams’ Star Trak Entertainment, releasing her debut single “Google Me” in 2008.
After leaving Star Trak, she joined Kanye West’s GOOD Music label in 2012, contributing uncredited vocals to My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010) and appearing on Cruel Summer (2012).
Her debut album, VII (2014), peaked at number 19 on the Billboard 200, followed by the Kanye-produced K.T.S.E. (2018) and the expansive The Album (2020), featuring collaborations with Lauryn Hill, Missy Elliott, and others.
Despite a brief retirement announcement in 2020 due to industry frustrations, she returned with “The Last Rose Petal” tours in 2021 and 2022.
In acting, Taylor debuted with Stomp the Yard: Homecoming (2010) and starred in Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big Happy Family (2011).
Her role in A Thousand and One (2023) as Inez de la Paz was a breakthrough, earning her the National Board of Review’s Breakthrough Performance Award and an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Performance.
She’s also set to appear in Paul Thomas Anderson’s upcoming film with Leonardo DiCaprio, slated for August 2025.
As a director under the pseudonym “Spike Tee,” she’s helmed music videos for herself and artists like Diddy, winning BET Awards for Video Director of the Year in 2020 and 2023, and a BET Hip Hop Award for the same in 2023.
Her choreography shines in projects like Kanye’s “Fade” video (2016), which won her an MTV VMA for Best Choreography.
