Singer and actress Teyana Taylor has publicly clarified a humorous misunderstanding, walking back her initial claim that she was the subject of a now-viral animated exchange with Leonardo DiCaprio at the 2026 Golden Globes.
The Viral Moment and Initial Claim
During an appearance on The Tonight Show on Wednesday, the 35-year-old star admitted that the lively interaction, which spread rapidly on TikTok, did not actually involve her. The moment occurred during a commercial break at the ceremony, where DiCaprio was captured on camera laughing, gesturing wildly, and clapping, sparking intense online speculation about who had elicited such a bubbly reaction from the typically reserved actor.
Taylor had previously told Access Hollywood that the two were discussing the animated film KPop Demon Hunters—which won Best Motion Picture (Animated) and Best Original Song—and her two daughters. "Yesterday, I thought I broke the Da Vinci Code," Taylor joked to host Jimmy Fallon, referencing her earlier conviction.
Setting the Record Straight
Taylor explained that her initial assumption was based on seeing only a portion of the clip. "When I first saw it, I didn't watch the whole thing," she admitted. "I was like, 'Oh, you're talking about *KPop Demon Hunters*' - he's talking about me."
However, after reviewing the full video and seeing online lip-reading theories, she decided to get to the bottom of it directly. "I had to call Leo," Taylor revealed. "I was like, 'You can't be talking to me - were you talking to me?' Because I already told people you was talking to me."
According to Taylor, DiCaprio's response was that he had multiple conversations about the film that night and couldn't recall the specific person in the clip. "He was like, 'I don't even know,'" she laughed, adding that she jokingly accused him of "kekeing" with someone else in their signature expressive style.
A Big Night for 'One Battle After Another'
The buzz around the moment came during a hugely successful evening for both stars. Their film, One Battle After Another, won four Golden Globes, including the coveted Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy). Taylor herself won for her performance as Perfidia Beverly Hills. Both are also nominated for the upcoming Actor Awards on March 1.
DiCaprio's unexpectedly lively demeanour provided several viral highlights throughout the ceremony. This included a photographed exchange with Julia Roberts, where he appeared to mouth, 'That's star power!' repeatedly. Fans also delighted in his visible, sheepish reaction to host Nikki Glaser's opening monologue, which roasted his well-documented dating history. Glaser quipped about his relationship with 27-year-old Italian supermodel Vittoria Ceretti, prompting an awkward thumbs-up from DiCaprio that itself became a major talking point. Ceretti did not accompany him to the event.
Ultimately, Taylor's clarification puts a charming end to the mystery, confirming that the clip simply caught DiCaprio mid-conversation with another guest nearby. The incident highlights how easily moments can be misconstrued in the fast-paced, spotlight-filled environment of a major awards show.
