Teyana Taylor said Beyoncé’s advice to “invest in yourself” helped her push through career setbacks and inspired her return to music.
Teyana Taylor credits a pivotal piece of advice from Beyoncé with shaping her path in music and beyond, revealing that the superstar’s words still guide her nearly two decades later.
The singer, actress and director opened up in a recent Marie Claire interview about how Beyoncé’s mentorship helped her stay focused and resilient in an industry that often overlooks young Black women.
“Yes, everybody knows I don’t play about B,” Taylor said. “She’s the one who would help me understand, you’re going to have to invest in yourself to get what you want.”
Taylor said the encouragement didn’t stop there. “No matter where I’ve ever been, whatever challenges I was going through, wherever I’ve been in my career, feeling stagnant or feeling unseen or unheard, to just hear Beyoncé tell me how proud of me she is, no matter where I am in my life and my career, really inspires me to keep going and just keep following my heart and following my gut.”
Taylor, 34, has carved out a multi-hyphenate career since first signing with Pharrell Williams’ Star Trak label in 2005 at just 15.
Her early connection with Beyoncé came the following year when she choreographed the video for “Ring the Alarm,” a bold move that foreshadowed her fearless approach to the business.
Teyana Taylor Releases Visual Album “Escape Room”
Since then, the Harlem native has released four studio albums, directed music videos and films, and starred in both television and film projects. Her most recent album, Escape Room, dropped Tuesday (August 22), marking her return to music after announcing her retirement in 2020.
The project was released alongside a 38-minute short film on Amazon Music, featuring actors Aaron Pierre and LaKeith Stanfield.
The album’s rollout caught many by surprise, especially those who believed Taylor had permanently stepped away from recording. But with Beyoncé’s words still echoing in her mind, Taylor continues to bet on herself.