A Jack-of-all-trades in the truest sense, Teyana Taylor has showcased her remarkable versatility in the entertainment industry—from singing and acting to dancing and even producing. This Harlem-bred talent’s career has been nothing short of a roller-coaster ride filled with highs and lows. So, how did she make her way to the top? Let’s delve into Teyana Taylor’s life, which is just as spellbinding as her vocals.
The Making of a Multi-Talented Maven
Teyana was born on December 10, 1990, in New York City to Nikki Taylor and Tito Smith. Raised predominantly by her mother Nikki, who doubles as her manager, Teyana was exposed to the performing arts from the young age of nine. But it wasn’t just any random luck; Taylor’s upbringing was punctuated by iconic influences like Lauryn Hill, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson.
“Let me simply put this on hold for the time being for the sake of my own mental health and the mental health of my children. It’s not as if I’ve given up working altogether. I don’t want to do anything more for a company,” Teyana expressed during her “Sip N Smoke” interview with Cam Newton.
Sealing Deals with the Best in the Biz
From signing her first major record deal with Pharrell Williams’ Star Track Entertainment in 2005 to making her network television debut on MTV‘s ‘My Super Sweet 16’, Taylor’s early career foreshadowed the juggernaut she would become. Her journey took an even bigger leap in 2012 when she penned a deal with Kanye West’s GOOD Music label. Over the years, she’s collaborated with heavyweights like Chris Brown, Usher, and Marion.
More Than Just a Songstress
While she may be primarily known for her music, Teyana Taylor’s creative pursuits don’t end there. She broke into the acting scene with TV shows like “Star,” “The Breaks,” and “Hit the Floor.” Notably, she’s also been a part of the sequel to the Eddie Murphy classic, “Coming 2 America.”
“I’m retiring this chapter of my story with the comfort that I can depart with peace of mind, seeing that all the hard work & passion put in was indeed loved and supported somewhere in the world!” Taylor opened up about her feelings of being ‘underappreciated’ and ‘overlooked’ in the music industry.
Love & Family: A Source of Inspiration
Teyana’s personal life too has been worthy of headlines. In 2015, she gave birth to a baby girl named Iman ‘Junie’ Tayla Shumpert Jr. with her long-term basketball player boyfriend Iman Shumpert, whom she eventually married the following year.
Teyana Taylor & Lori Harvey at the Pretty Little Thing fashion show 😍🔥 pic.twitter.com/ULrjQe6sND
— The Culture Vault (@DaCultureVault) September 6, 2023
The Lavish Lifestyle & Investments
According to recent estimates, Teyana Taylor’s net worth stands at an impressive $5 million. The diva owns a slew of luxury cars, including a Rolls-Royce Ghost and not one but three Bentley Bentayga SUVs.
But it’s not just wheels that interest her. Taylor owns a 5,700-square-foot mansion in Studio City, California, which she and Iman Shumpert bought in 2018 for just under $3 million. The couple moved their nest to Atlanta in 2020, giving E! News an exclusive tour of their new, “Pop Art-inspired” home.
The Aunties: Cultivating the Next Gen of Artists
Taylor took her entrepreneurial talents up a notch by securing five acres for Aunties 360—a haven for creatives offering everything from dance studios to 360-degree green screen rooms. “To be a part of the Aunties is more than a sisterhood; it’s a place where artists of all kinds can come together to support each other in their creative endeavors,” Taylor shared about the collective on Instagram.
The Future Is Her Canvas
While Teyana may have temporarily hung up her music boots, she remains a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry. With each chapter of her life bringing forth another layer of creativity, it’s safe to say that Teyana Taylor has just scratched the surface of her full potential.
So whether you’ve been a fan since her ‘My Super Sweet 16’ days or you’ve just jumped on the bandwagon, one thing is clear—Teyana Taylor is a name you’ll be hearing for a long time to come.
