Teyana Taylor Like Never Before

Teyana Taylor
Like Never Before
 
Article by Chequetta “Jonesy” Jones
 
Teyana Taylor started off as a teenager in this business on MTV's “Sweet 16” and went on to debut her single "Google Me." Five years later, now 21, standing strong with her "V-Card" and often misunderstood, she's bossin' up and doing things her way. From the movie screen to the recording studio, Teyana Taylor is giving it all with her signature big seductive curls, sex appeal and a bangin' body to compliment it! Are you mad? Well, you should be!

Black Men: You came in the game at the age of 16 and now you're 21, rocking the big curls, a body that many envy and sex appeal. Did you ever expect it to be like this?
Teyana Taylor: Honestly, not at all, because growing up I was such a tomboy! When I was 16, everyone was like "Oh little sis, little sis!" I was like everyone's little sibling, but then when I turned 18, 19, 20, and now 21, I'm like "Hey! What's up, bro!" and they are like, "You not my little sister no more." So, I definitely didn't expect it. I was sort of blind when it came to that, and when I was developing, I never really saw myself like that.

What was it like for people to go from "Hey, little sis!" to "Hey! What's Up! I want to holla”?
[Laughs]. It still feels a little awkward when people look at me like that, but funny at the same time. I don't really pay it too much attention.

How is the dating world for you, especially starting in this industry at a young age and seeing almost anything and everything?
Man... It's like, so hard sometimes. I'm a very emotional person. I'm a big softy and I like to cuddle. It's not easy to find that person you can trust because you never know who really likes you for you. Then on top of all that, I'm a virgin and I never know what anyone's intentions are. So, I just kind of keep my distant.

Being a virgin at 21, especially in this day in age, do you find it hard not to fall to temptation?
Honestly, I don't feel like I'm missing anything. I feel like my body is going to know when I'm ready and when it does happen, I know it's going to be a beautiful thing. I'm not in a rush either and what's so crazy is that I've never had that feeling to be like "Man, I just want to do it!" I'm not even tripping off that really because I'm so focused on my career and everything else I have going on. Plus, I am a little scared because when you think about how guys get down and they move, it's like, “We have sex...then what?” Like I said before, I'm not in a rush.

What happens when you meet a guy that is just trying to claim your "V-Card"?
How I do is that I tell you what it is from jump! So, I make it very clear. Some guys try to pull that “but you led me on” line. If you decided to continue on after I told you what it is, then you get mad because you couldn't get none. Then, that's your fault!

Let's get into your career. How do you feel when people say, "What does Teyana Taylor do?"
In the beginning, it used to hurt because it was all politics. It wasn't me not wanting to get out there, it was my label not putting out music. So, I was just as frustrated as the fans. It was very hurtful, but then I realized you have people that just hate. But then for people to even say, "What does Teyana Taylor do?" obviously I'm doing or have done something for my name to even be in your mouth or for you to even know who I am! As time went on, I became more mature and learned the business more and understood that this is a “damn if you do, damn if you don't” kind of world. I've put mixtapes, been in movies, you can look at my YouTube channel and look at my videos. I've worked with Jay-Z, Ne-Yo. I've styled, choreographed. I just didn't have the proper push and support but you can Google me for those that don't know what I do.

What was it about this shoot with Black Men that intrigued you?
[Laughs] Oh my God! It was the most awkward thing ever, but in a good way! Black Men is the first shoot that I really came out of my shell and was able to show another side of me—especially with the theme Jessica Rabbit, in my own way and how I seen it. I really like how it wasn't the typical “Teyana look” and being able to transform for that couple of hours. It was definitely something new for me. Honestly, it was really my first time ever getting sexy for a magazine, revealing parts I've never revealed before. When I was at the photo shoot, I was like "How should I pose?" or like "What should I do?" [laughs]. The first time I had to be like...sexy and girly, but I had a good time!