In a candid new interview, multi-talented star Teyana Taylor has addressed the current state of her relationship with embattled rapper and former collaborator Kanye West. Her rare comments come after years of public controversy surrounding West, who now goes by Ye.
A Complicated but Enduring Bond
The 35-year-old performer, fresh from a triumphant Golden Globes win, spoke with Vanity Fair about navigating a friendship with someone whose public statements have often sparked outrage. Taylor, who worked closely with West for nearly a decade, offered a nuanced perspective.
"I don't have to agree with everything that he do or say, but I'm not going to, like, abandon him," Taylor told the publication. She drew a parallel to familial relationships, stating, "My brothers do s*** that I don't agree with... I don't get into none of that."
West faced severe backlash, particularly in 2022 and 2023, for a series of antisemitic comments and political rants made on social media. He has since publicly renounced those statements, posting on X last year: 'I am done with antisemitism. I love all people.'
From G.O.O.D. Music to Golden Glory
Taylor's professional history with West is extensive. She was signed to his G.O.O.D. Music record label from 2012 until her departure in 2020. During that time, she released three albums—VII (2014), K.T.S.E. (2018), and The Album (2020)—and starred in his iconic 2016 music video for Fade.
Her exit from the label was rooted in frustration. At the time, she announced a retirement from music, citing feeling "super under appreciated as a artist" and receiving "little to no real push from the 'machine.'"
That retirement was short-lived. Taylor made a powerful comeback, dropping her fourth album Escape Room last year, which earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album. Her career has since skyrocketed into acting.
Career Highs and Powerful Messages
Taylor's recent focus on film has yielded spectacular results. She starred as Perfidia in Paul Thomas Anderson's action-comedy One Battle After Another, a role that won her the Best Supporting Actress award at the 2026 Golden Globes.
In her emotional acceptance speech, she delivered a poignant message: "Our softness is not a liability. Our depth is not too much. Our light does not need permission to shine. We belong in every room we walk into."
Interestingly, she also recently worked alongside West's ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, on the Hulu series All's Fair, which has been renewed for a second season.
Reflecting on her complex character in Anderson's film, Taylor told Vanity Fair, "I think one thing that everybody will be able to agree on is that she's a bada**. And she's unapologetically herself." She added that the role allows audiences to empathise with the character, even when they disagree with her actions.
Taylor's performance continues to garner acclaim, with subsequent nominations at the Critics Choice Awards and the upcoming Actor Awards (formerly the SAG Awards). Her journey from feeling underappreciated in music to Hollywood acclaim marks a significant and inspiring career pivot.
