In a candid new interview, multi-talented star Teyana Taylor has broken her silence on the current state of her relationship with embattled rapper and former collaborator Kanye West. The revelation comes after years of public controversy surrounding West and marks a rare personal comment from Taylor on the subject.
A Loyalty Forged in Collaboration
The 35-year-old performer, fresh from her Golden Globe win for Best Supporting Actress this past weekend, spoke with Vanity Fair for a profile published on Tuesday. Taylor, who was signed to West's G.O.O.D. Music label from 2012 until her departure in 2020, addressed the complexities of maintaining a connection with the artist, now known as Ye.
'I don't have to agree with everything that he do or say, but I'm not going to, like, abandon him,' Taylor told the publication. She drew a parallel to familial bonds, stating, 'My brothers do s*** that I don't agree with... I don't get into none of that.'
Their professional history is extensive. Taylor appeared in West's 2016 music video for 'Fade' and collaborated on projects like the video for 'We Got Love'. She released three albums under his label: VII (2014), K.T.S.E (2018), and The Album (2020).
Navigating Controversy and Candid Conversations
West has faced significant backlash in recent years, most notably for a series of antisemitic comments and political rants made on social media. He later renounced these statements, posting on X last year: 'I am done with antisemitism. I love all people.'
Taylor emphasised that her private dialogues with West are grounded in honesty. 'If you want a real answer, you ask me. So if he asks me something, he knows he's gonna get a real answer,' she explained. However, she keeps her counsel private, focusing on her own path: 'I do my s*** behind the scenes and do what I need to do to help. I'm in my business and I drink my water.'
Her exit from G.O.O.D. Music in 2020 was prompted by feeling 'underappreciated' and overlooked by the industry 'machine'. She announced a retirement from music at the time, but has since triumphantly returned, releasing her fourth album 'Escape Room' last year, which earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album.
A New Chapter: Golden Globes and Acting Accolades
Taylor's career has spectacularly pivoted towards acting. She recently starred alongside Kim Kardashian, West's ex-wife, in the Hulu series 'All's Fair', which was renewed for a second season. Her critically acclaimed role as Perfidia in Paul Thomas Anderson's film 'One Battle After Another' earned her the Golden Globe.
In her emotional acceptance speech, she dedicated the win to her children and sent a powerful message: 'Our softness is not a liability. Our depth is not too much. Our light does not need permission to shine. We belong in every room we walk into.'
Reflecting on her complex character, Taylor told Vanity Fair, 'I think one thing that everybody will be able to agree on is that she's a bada**. And she's unapologetically herself.' The performance has also secured her nominations for a Critics Choice Award and an Actor Award (formerly the SAG Award).
The star's Vanity Fair cover shoot featured her in striking looks, including one channelling the Statue of Liberty, symbolising a woman embracing her freedom and newfound acclaim in the entertainment industry.
