Teyana Taylor said people warned her that leaving music for acting was a mistake. “Everybody told me it was dumb,” she told Time in a recent profile.
Taylor said she walked away from the music business in 2020. She told Time she felt underappreciated and exhausted by the industry at the time.
She rejected the doubts and set clear goals. “And I was like, ‘No, I am going to be a great actress. One day, I am going to be a great director,’” she said.
The gamble has drawn major attention. Taylor earned praise for her role in the Paul Thomas Anderson film. The movie has been a prominent topic in awards season coverage.
Teyana Taylor’s Career Trajectory
Taylor’s path has been uneven but deliberate. She first rose to wider notice through music and high-profile videos. But she said motherhood and industry friction reshaped her priorities.
Her decision to pivot was both practical and artistic. Taylor said stepping back from music allowed her to experiment freely. She later returned to recording when she chose the timing.
Her acting work includes a role that has pulled her into awards conversations. That attention has raised new possibilities in film and directing.
Taylor also has not abandoned music entirely. Recent reports note a renewed interest in recording and touring plans for future dates.
Her remarks underscore a larger theme. Artists often face pressure to remain in one lane. Taylor pushed against that pressure.
Industry insiders say her transition shows risk can yield reward. Critics and audiences now debate her choices less than they did.
Taylor has framed her career as iterative. She said choices that once seemed risky now feel strategic. Her public statements reflect confidence and long-term planning.
As awards season continues, Taylor’s future projects are under watch. She has spoken openly about directing ambitions and creative control.