A Peek Into Teyana Taylor’s Debut Starring Role

American singer, dancer, actress and wife of former Brooklyn Nets player Iman Shumpert, Teyana Taylor, lands her debut starring role in the movie A Thousand And One.

The movie stars Teyana Taylor, Will Catlett, Josiah Cross, Aven Courtney and Aaron Kingsley Adetola. The trailer of the movie which was released on February 23rd depicts a Teyana Taylor who plays the role of a young mother, Inez, who kidnaps her son from foster care following her release from prison. She embodies the role of the character immersing herself in the portrayal of the ‘personality’ of the city the story is being told from while delivering what online film critics Indie Wire describe as a “commanding breakaway performance”. 

Teyana Taylor as Inez (With her son)

Director of the movie A.V Rockwell reveals that despite Taylor’s familiarity with cameras and acting in general, it was her authenticity that won her over and put her in the spot for the lead role, which is her first one yet. She admitted in an interview her uncertainty about casting the “semi-retired r&b singer” but was ultimately wowed by what she had to offer. 

The movie which was premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on the 22nd of January 2023 took home the Grand Jury Prize and is slated to be released on the 31st of March 2023. 

Watch trailer here :

https://youtu.be/wBM0_6JJw1s