STUDIO TALK
Teyana Taylor
In this conversation, Teyana Taylor shares how storytelling runs through everything she creates. A true creative force, she works across music, dance, and acting with a style that’s both grounded in her roots and pushing the edge of what's possible. Her work honors where she comes from while opening new possibilities for where art can go.
You move between music, film, and fashion. What’s the thread that ties all these worlds together for you?
TT: The thread is storytelling. Whether I’m behind the mic, in front of a camera, or designing a look, it’s all about telling a story that people can feel. I want the art to live in your spirit long after you’ve experienced it.
What’s a piece of advice you find yourself returning to when you’re feeling stuck?
TT: I always remind myself: art doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be real. The minute I let go of perfection, I find freedom again.
Has there been something you created that even surprised you?
TT: Yes, my recent album Escape Room definitely surprised me. I knew what I wanted to say going into it, but the way it came together sonically, emotionally, visually, it pushed past what I thought I was capable of. It came from a deeply personal place, but the way people connected with it showed me that vulnerability can be a creative superpower. The process stretched me in ways I didn’t expect.
How do you balance the desire to innovate with the need to honor tradition or roots?
TT: For me, it’s about blending both. I carry Harlem, my family, and our culture in everything I do that’s the foundation. But I’m not afraid to flip it, remix it, and push it into the future. God and roots, that’s the balance.
Has something caught your attention lately that inspired you to create?
TT: Always & still, I’ve been inspired by the resilience of women - especially Black women. Watching us build, heal, and shine despite everything thrown at us fuels me to create art that reflects that strength.
What is it about creativity or art that brings people together?
TT: Art and creativity tap into something universal - emotion, memory, truth. Even when the details are different, the feeling is familiar. That’s what brings people together. A song, a film, a piece of clothing - they all carry pieces of someone’s story, and when someone else sees themselves in it, there’s a connection. Creativity makes space for empathy. It reminds us we’re not alone.
