History of Teyana Taylor in Timeline

Teyana Taylor is a multifaceted American entertainer, excelling as a singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, choreographer, model, and music video director. She gained early recognition for choreographing Beyoncé's 'Ring the Alarm' video and subsequently signed with Star Trak Entertainment. Taylor's early career included an appearance on 'My Super Sweet 16' and the release of her debut single, 'Google Me.' Her profile rose further through uncredited contributions to Kanye West's 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.' Eventually, she transitioned from Star Trak/Interscope to West's GOOD Music/Def Jam Recordings.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

December 10, 1990: Teyana Taylor Born

On December 10, 1990, Teyana Me Shay Jacqueli Taylor was born. She is an American singer, songwriter, actress, model, dancer, choreographer, and music video director.

Others born on this day/year

September 2006: Choreographed Beyoncé's "Ring the Alarm" Music Video

In September 2006, at the age of 15, Teyana Taylor was credited as the choreographer for Beyoncé's music video for "Ring the Alarm."

2006: Choreographed Beyoncé's "Ring the Alarm" video

In 2006, Teyana Taylor choreographed the video for Beyoncé's single "Ring the Alarm,". This marked an early milestone in her career as a choreographer.

January 2007: Signed with Star Trak Entertainment

In January 2007, Teyana Taylor signed a recording contract with Pharrell Williams' Star Trak Entertainment label, under Interscope Records.

February 2007: Appeared on MTV's My Super Sweet Sixteen

In February 2007, Teyana Taylor appeared on MTV's My Super Sweet Sixteen, gaining public attention.

February 2008: Released "Google Me" Single

In February 2008, Teyana Taylor released her commercial debut single, "Google Me," which became the lead single from her mixtape.

2008: Released Debut Single "Google Me"

In 2008, Teyana Taylor released her debut single, "Google Me." This marked the beginning of her recording career.

August 16, 2009: Released "From a Planet Called Harlem" Mixtape

On August 16, 2009, Teyana Taylor released her full-length debut mixtape, titled From a Planet Called Harlem.

August 2010: Appeared in Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming

In August 2010, Teyana Taylor expanded her career into acting, appearing in the sequel to Stomp the Yard, Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming.

October 2010: Appeared on House of Glam

In October 2010, Teyana Taylor appeared on the debut episode of House of Glam on Oxygen.

December 17, 2010: Released "Christmas In Harlem" Track

On December 17, 2010, Teyana Taylor contributed to one of GOOD Music's GOOD Friday tracks, "Christmas In Harlem", which was released as a shortened version to the iTunes Store.

2010: Contributed Vocals to Kanye West's Album

In 2010, Teyana Taylor contributed vocals to Kanye West's album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, specifically on the tracks "Dark Fantasy" and "Hell of a Life."

2010: Featured on Kanye West's Album

In 2010, Teyana Taylor gained attention for her uncredited guest performances on Kanye West's songs "Dark Fantasy" and "Hell of a Life" from the album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.

2010: Film Debut in Stomp the Yard: Homecoming

In 2010, Teyana Taylor made her film debut in the dance drama Stomp the Yard: Homecoming, marking her entry into acting.

April 22, 2011: Appeared in Madea's Big Happy Family

On April 22, 2011, Teyana Taylor appeared in Tyler Perry's film Madea's Big Happy Family, the fifth installment in the series.

January 2012: Granted Release from Interscope and Star Trak

In January 2012, Teyana Taylor was granted her release from the contract with Interscope and Star Trak, allowing her to pursue independence in the music industry.

February 25, 2012: Released "D.U.I." featuring Jadakiss & Fabolous

On February 25, 2012, Teyana Taylor released "D.U.I." featuring Jadakiss & Fabolous, as a precursor to her mixtape The Misunderstanding of Teyana Taylor.

June 14, 2012: Signed with GOOD Music/Island Def Jam

On June 14, 2012, Teyana Taylor signed a joint-venture deal with Kanye West's GOOD Music through Island-Def Jam, marking a new chapter in her career.

September 18, 2012: Appeared on Cruel Summer Compilation Album

On September 18, 2012, Teyana Taylor appeared on the GOOD Music compilation album Cruel Summer, contributing vocals to several tracks.

2012: Appeared on GOOD Music's Cruel Summer

In 2012, Teyana Taylor appeared on the GOOD Music compilation album Cruel Summer, which reached number two on the Billboard 200.

2013: Began Dating Iman Shumpert

Around 2013, Teyana Taylor began dating basketball player Iman Shumpert, starting their relationship.

2013: Signed Sneaker Deal with Adidas

In 2013, Teyana Taylor signed a deal to design and release two pairs of sneakers with Adidas, marking her entry into fashion design.

July 27, 2014: Announced VII Album

On July 27, 2014, Teyana Taylor announced the title of her debut studio album to be VII, revealing that it would be released on November 4.

2014: Released Debut Studio Album VII

In 2014, Teyana Taylor's debut studio album, VII, was released and received positive critical reception, peaking within the top 20 of the Billboard 200.

July 29, 2015: Judge on America's Best Dance Crew

Teyana Taylor was slated to be a judge on the eighth season of America's Best Dance Crew, which premiered on July 29, 2015, on MTV.

2015: Shumpert Assisted in Delivery of Daughter

In 2015, after Teyana Taylor went into early labor, Iman Shumpert assisted in the delivery of their baby girl, marking a significant personal event.

June 17, 2016: Released "Freak On" Single

On June 17, 2016, Teyana Taylor released her single "Freak On," featuring Chris Brown, as the lead single from her upcoming album.

August 28, 2016: Starred in Kanye West's "Fade" Music Video

On August 28, 2016, Teyana Taylor starred in Kanye West's "Fade" music video at the MTV Video Music Awards, receiving praise for her dance routine.

September 20, 2016: Revealed Marriage Status on The Wendy Williams Show

On September 20, 2016, Teyana Taylor revealed on The Wendy Williams Show that she and Iman Shumpert had "maybe" married secretly.

October 1, 2016: Married Iman Shumpert

On October 1, 2016, approximately two weeks after the Wendy Williams Show interview, Teyana Taylor and Iman Shumpert officially got married.

March 2017: Launched "Fade 2 Fit" Workout Program

In March 2017, Teyana Taylor launched her "Fade 2 Fit" Workout Program, inspired by her appearance in Kanye West's "Fade" music video, blending dance and fitness.

2017: Acted in Star

From 2017 to 2018, Teyana Taylor had roles in two seasons of Star on television.

June 22, 2018: Released K.T.S.E. Album

On June 22, 2018, Teyana Taylor released her album K.T.S.E., which was the last of G.O.O.D. Music's seven-song album rollout.

2018: Released K.T.S.E. Album

In 2018, Teyana Taylor released her second studio album, K.T.S.E., which spawned the platinum-certified single "Gonna Love Me."

May 2019: Directed Music Video for Lil Durk's Remix of Home Body

In May 2019, Teyana Taylor featured in and directed the music video for Lil Durk's remix of Home Body.

November 2019: Released Collaboration Single "Morning" with Kehlani

In November 2019, Teyana Taylor released a collaboration single, "Morning", with fellow R&B singer Kehlani.

December 6, 2019: Released "We Got Love" Single

On December 6, 2019, Teyana Taylor released the single "We Got Love."

May 7, 2020: Announced The Album

On May 7, 2020, Teyana Taylor announced that her third studio album is titled The Album and would be released sometime in June 2020.

June 12, 2020: Second Pregnancy Confirmation

On June 12, 2020, Teyana Taylor confirmed her second pregnancy in the music video for her single "Wake Up Love".

June 2020: Released The Album

In June 2020, Teyana Taylor released her third studio album, The Album, featuring several guest appearances and earning her first top 10 album debut.

December 4, 2020: Seemingly Announced Retirement

On December 4, 2020, Teyana Taylor seemingly announced her retirement from making music via her Instagram page due to frustrations with her record label's lack of support.

2020: Teyana and Iman TV series

From 2020 until 2023, Teyana Taylor and her then-husband Iman Shumpert starred in a reality television series, Teyana and Iman, on VH1.

2020: Released The Album

In 2020, Teyana Taylor released her third studio album, The Album, which peaked within the top ten of the Billboard 200 chart.

2020: Won BET Award for Video Director of the Year

In 2020, Teyana Taylor won the BET Award for Video Director of the Year, recognizing her achievements in music video direction.

2021: Appeared in Coming 2 America

In 2021, Teyana Taylor appeared in the Amazon Prime film Coming 2 America.

2022: Won The Masked Singer

In 2022, Teyana Taylor competed in season seven of The Masked Singer as "Firefly" and was declared the winner, becoming the youngest winner in the show's history at that time.

September 17, 2023: Separation Announcement

On September 17, 2023, Teyana Taylor and Iman Shumpert announced their separation. Taylor revealed via Instagram that they had been separated for months.

2023: Starred in A Thousand and One

In 2023, Teyana Taylor received critical acclaim for her starring performance in the film A Thousand and One, earning her the Breakthrough Performance Award from the National Board of Review.