Who Is Teyana Taylor? 5 Things to Know About Kanye West's New Video Vixen

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Actress Teyana Taylor and NBA player Iman Shumpert (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Kanye West premiered his new video for the Life of Pablo track “Fade” at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday after a passionate speech.

The clip starred 25-year-old Teyana Taylor as she enjoyed a very sweaty workout. It was a return to the video vixen role for the season 8 America’s Best Dance Crew host, after previously appearing in Jay-Z’s 2007 video for his song “Blue Magic.”

But who is Teyana Taylor? Here are 5 quick things to know about her.

1. She’s a singer


48 hours to get prepared after hearing I was doing the tribute while on baecation…I went completely into my Kim bag in the mirror all day long. Eat, sleep, think Kim. STUDIED, appreciated her era! I also want to take a moment to thank my “dream team” for bringing my vision of Kimberly Jones to life with hair @tokyostylez make-up @japanesefaces CUSTOM looks by @duckie_confetti and @bryonjavar for finding me them fire ass Dior boots y'all pulled this off all in only 2 days!!!! I love you guys thank you for everything! Though I was so nervous before the performance, well shit all the way up to when those sliding doors opened lol the finished product made the woman of the hour happy and that’s what I dedicated my time to…to bow for one of the greats! Thank you @lilkimthequeenbee for your inspiration, choosing me, believing in me and for knocking down the door for other young women that dream big. “Nothing make a woman feel better” I’m still gagging that this happened. Thank you VH1 & @monascottyoung for the opportunity. #VH1Honors #HiphopHonors #Thefirst48

A video posted by Jimmy Neutch (@teyanataylor) on Jul 12, 2016 at 8:26am PDT


While Taylor doesn’t sing a note in West’s video, she is an accomplished singer herself.



She previously was signed to Pharrell’s Star Trak Entertainment print, but left in January 2012 to join West’s GOOD Music label.

Her debut solo album, VII, debuted at number 10 on the Billboard 200 after its 2014 release. In 2015, she released an EP – The Cassette Tape 1994 – which paid tribute to iconic ‘90s hits.

Speaking of tributes, Taylor was one of the many artists who saluted Lil Kim at June’s VH1 Hip Hop Honors.

2. She’s engaged to Iman Shumpert


A photo posted by Jimmy Neutch (@teyanataylor) on Nov 8, 2015 at 12:28pm PST


That’s right, gentleman – she’s taken. And her man is a pretty big deal himself.

NBA star Iman Shumpert popped the question to his girlfriend in November 2015.

“Thank You @imanshumpert for putting the color back in my life! I love you so much,” she wrote at the time.

And yes, that was the Cleveland Cavaliers player in West’s video – getting steamy with Taylor in her post-workout shower.

3. The two have a daughter together


On Dec 16th at 6:42am in our bathroom Junie decided she wanted to take her first breath into this world. She came out as a wonderful surprise to everyone! Not knowing I was in labor until I felt her head…it took two ten count pushes with my fiancé playing Dr and she entered this world into his bare hands! Eyes full of tears and barely able to speak to the emergency operator @imanshumpert tied a pair of red headphones around the umbilical cord and the ambulance made there grand entrance 5 min later. She opened her eyes right away, gazed into mine and never cried! He handed her to me wrapped in our bath towel and wiped her face for me to see what LOVE really is. She has blown Christmas away! Our family is complete. Her blueprint will be unmatched. Welcome Iman Tayla Shumpert Jr. Mommy carried you. Daddy delivered you. #MeetTheParents we love you baby girl

A photo posted by Jimmy Neutch (@teyanataylor) on Dec 17, 2015 at 10:15am PST


On Dec. 16, the couple welcomed their first child – a baby girl named Iman Tayla Shumpert, Jr. (who also appeared in West’s video, FYI).

It was an unexpected birth, as the 7-month-old was originally due in mid-January. Taylor ended up going into labor in her bathroom – with hands-on dad Shumpert delivered his daughter.

“This is definitely the best assist I’ve ever recorded in my life,” Shumpert explained to his Instagram fans afterwards. “We were indeed terrified until I finally saw her hair…then the fear left and I kinda just knew what to do! Our bathroom is forever sacred.”

“People always tell me there is no greater gift than fatherhood and I finally understand the feeling,” he continued. “I’m not too proud to say I cried endless tears of joy for my first born.”

4. She had her abs back days after giving birth


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Six days after giving birth, Taylor showed off her tummy in an Instagram post – wearing just a sports bra and low-rider underwear.

RELATED VIDEO: Watch Kanye West Introduce His 'Fade’ Music Video


“Dear Baby Iman…. Thank you for this snap back in 6 days I love you my darling,” she captioned the photo, adding that she hasn’t even gone to the gym.

She included the hashtag #StillGotALongWayToGoButImGettingThere – though her followers disagreed that she had any work left to do.

5. She’s been on MTV before



Taylor made her premiere on the music network back in 2007, in a season 4 episode of My Super Sweet 16.

She celebrated her big day in a 1980s-themed party, where she performed her own hip-hop routine. She even entered the extravaganza dressed as a living Barbie doll.

It wasn’t all happy, sadly. She originally planned for a skate ramp to be built insider her Harlem, New York venue – but the location called it off for insurance reasons.