American singer and actress Teyana Taylor has opened up about her decision to make a return to music after stepping away from the industry several years ago.
Earlier this year, Taylor earned her first-ever Grammy nomination, with her fourth studio album, Escape Room, recognized in the Best R&B Album category.
The album was released five years after she announced her retirement from music in 2020, following the release of her third album, The Album. At the time, Teyana Taylor revealed that she felt “super under-appreciated” as an artist.
After leaving music, Taylor shifted her focus to acting, landing major roles in projects such as 2021’s Coming 2 America and the critically acclaimed 2023 drama A Thousand and One.
In a recent interview with People, the 35-year-old explained that her return to music was driven by a desire to do things on her own terms, which ultimately led to the release of Escape Room in August.
“I think what lured me back was just me coming back on my terms,” she said. “All I ever wanted was to feel appreciated, and I wanted to feel utilised. I didn’t want to be stuck or put into one box.”
Teyana Taylor described her Grammy nomination as an “answered prayer,” noting that the recognition has been deeply emotional for her.
“Everything is happening, everything I ever dreamed of. (It’s) one answered prayer after another,” she added.
Teyana Taylor also admitted that the nomination has brought mixed emotions, as she reflected on her past projects.
“You have all these different thoughts and emotions that go through your head where it’s just like, ‘Oh, my God, this is so amazing,'” Taylor said. “Of course, you feel like every project deserved that recognition. What made this one more worthy than the other one?”
According to the star, the nomination represents recognition for all her past work, especially albums she believes were overlooked.
She noted that the honor feels like it is “for every album that I put out that I felt like was underrated or not seen.”
