Teyana Taylor's Surreal Oscar Nomination Moment During SNL Preparation
Teyana Taylor has shared the remarkably unconventional circumstances surrounding how she discovered her first Academy Award nomination, revealing the news arrived during a rather unexpected moment of preparation for her hosting debut on Saturday Night Live.
The Bald Cap Fitting Revelation
During her opening monologue on the January 25 episode of Saturday Night Live, the 35-year-old multi-talented performer described the surreal experience. "This week has been very insane," Taylor told the audience, explaining that she received the life-changing news while being fitted for a bald cap alongside cast member Mikey Day.
"I found out the way every little girl wants to find out — getting fitted for a bald cap next to Mikey Day," Taylor joked, highlighting the humorous contrast between the glamour of Oscar recognition and the practical realities of sketch comedy preparation.
From SNL Sketches to Oscar Recognition
The episode showcased Taylor's impressive range, featuring her in a memorable sketch where she donned both the bald cap and a prosthetic belly to portray an octogenarian grandfather displaying unexpected dance moves at a wedding reception. This comedic performance followed her emotional revelation about the Oscar nomination for her supporting role as Perfidia Beverly Hills in the critically acclaimed film 'One Battle After Another'.
Taylor's hosting duties allowed her to demonstrate her diverse talents throughout the broadcast, including a musical duet with Kenan Thompson in an airport sketch and references to her previous achievements, from winning The Masked Singer to her current culinary school pursuits.
Awards Season Success and Competition
This Oscar nomination arrives shortly after Taylor's Golden Globe victory for the same supporting performance opposite Leonardo DiCaprio's character in the film. 'One Battle After Another' has emerged as a favorite during this awards season, having already secured four Golden Globe awards with expectations running high for the upcoming 98th Academy Awards ceremony on March 15.
In the competitive Best Supporting Actress category, Taylor faces formidable contenders including Wunmi Mosaku for 'Sinners', Amy Madigan for 'Weapons', and both Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas for 'Sentimental Value'.
A Fairytale Ending in the Making
Reflecting on her nomination in an official statement, Taylor expressed profound gratitude and wonder at her journey. "I fell asleep last night watching Pretty Woman, thinking about happy endings and how impossible they sometimes feel … and I woke up realizing I've been living in one that God has been preparing me for my own fairytale ending," she shared, capturing the emotional significance of this career milestone.
The January 24 SNL episode itself featured additional notable moments, including a cold opening satirizing Donald Trump's prize obsession, a return appearance by Mike Myers impersonating Elon Musk, and a musical performance debut by Brooklyn-based rock band Geese.
