Teyana Taylor
A multihyphenate creative force, she choreographed her way from music video sets to directing, acting, and singing with raw, unfiltered artistry.
Born 1990 (age 36)·American singer and actress·Birthday: December 10·Millennials
Biography
Teyana Taylor's story is one of relentless DIY hustle, forged in Harlem and amplified by a pre-internet era mixtape that caught the ear of Kanye West. She didn't just break into the industry; she built her own door, first as a sought-after choreographer for stars like Beyoncé. Her 2014 debut album, 'VII,' was a slow-burn cult classic, but it was the visually stunning, home-filmed video for "Fade"—showcasing her jaw-dropping physique and athletic dance style—that became a viral phenomenon and redefined her public image. Taylor refused categorization, next directing her own vivid music videos and short films, then stepping into acting with a raw, natural talent in films like 'A Thousand and One.' Her career is a masterclass in artistic control, moving seamlessly between music, film, fashion, and motherhood, all while maintaining a gritty, authentic aesthetic that feels wholly her own.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Teyana was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Teyana Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Teyana's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Directed and starred in the groundbreaking, viral music video for "Fade" from Kanye West's 'The Life of Pablo' album.
- Won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Performance for her role in the film 'A Thousand and One'.
- Released the critically acclaimed album 'The Album' in 2020, which featured the hit single "Wake Up Love".
- Named one of Time magazine's Women of the Year in 2023 for her influence across multiple creative fields.
Did You Know?
She was discovered after a homemade dance mixtape she made as a teenager was seen by Pharrell Williams.
She is married to retired NBA player Iman Shumpert, with whom she has two children.
She choreographed the music video for Beyoncé's "Ring the Alarm".
She starred in and co-directed the 2021 film 'The Book of Clarence'.
“I'm not just a singer, I'm not just a dancer, I'm not just an actress. I'm an artist.”
