Teyana Taylor makes directorial debut
Teyana Taylor, also known as “Spike Tey,” is making her feature-length film directorial debut with the movie Get Lite, set to hit theaters in 2027. The film follows a dance student living in New York City. Taylor is behind the camera, bringing her unique perspective to the project.
Taylor’s production company, “The Aunties,” is emblazoned on her varsity jacket, which she wears on set. She takes a break from directing to talk about her experience, revealing that she’s eaten only two Cuties mandarins and a few rushed bites of food that upset her stomach so far that day.
Despite the chaos of the film set, Taylor is focused on getting the shot just right. “Getting that shot was important,” she says, referring to the scene she just wrapped. Taylor has been working relentlessly over the past couple of years, starring in five feature-length movies and a self-directed short film.
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Her breakout role as Perfidia in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2025 film One Battle After Another earned her a 2026 Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress and an Oscar nomination. Taylor’s success in the entertainment industry spans over 20 years, with her first big break coming in 2007 when she signed to Pharrell Williams’ label, Star Trak Entertainment.
Directing Debut Challenges
Taylor’s experience as a director is still relatively new, but she’s quickly learning the ropes. She likens the experience to finding the perfect parking spot and then having to clean out your car before you can walk away. “You gotta stay back. You gotta come in early. You literally have to approve every single thing,” she explains.
Taylor’s passion for directing is evident, and she’s not complaining about the hard work. “It’s everything I’ve ever asked for,” she says. Get Lite has been in the works since 2022, and Taylor is excited to see it come to life. She reflects on how the timing of the project is perfect, saying, “What if this would have worked out four years ago when I was still trying to figure it out? It wouldn’t have hit the same.”
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Taylor’s journey to becoming a director is rooted in her experience as a musician and actress. She’s worked with notable artists and directors, including Kanye West and Paul Thomas Anderson. Taylor’s advice to aspiring creatives is to “do it scared,” and she’s living proof that taking risks can pay off.
Balancing Career Family
As a mother of two, Taylor is also working through the challenges of balancing her career and family life. She’s open about her struggles with separation anxiety and depression, saying, “I do get separation anxiety and go into little depressions when I’m away from them.” Despite the challenges, Taylor is determined to make it work, and her love for her daughters is evident in everything she does.
Taylor’s recent string of successes has brought her to the pinnacle of her career, but she’s not letting it go to her head. She’s still the same person she’s always been, and her humility is refreshing. As she prepares to return to set, Taylor’s crew is waiting for her, and she’s ready to dive back into the world of Get Lite, a movie that’s sure to make a splash in 2027.
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New Projects Ahead
Taylor’s crew is at the door, waiting for her to return to set. She’s multitasking, talking as she moves around the small space, reapplies her lip combo, and sits back down to put on her boots. The second season of All’s Fair is on her mind, and she’s excited to play the role of Milan, a paralegal caught up in a love triangle.
Taylor’s stylist, Ronald Burton III, has helped her achieve a sleek look for the day’s shoot. Her hair, done by Nikki Nelms, is styled perfectly, and her makeup, applied by Porsche Cooper, is flawless. As Taylor heads back to set, she’s ready to tackle the challenges of directing her first feature-length film.
The set design, created by Selena Liu, is impressive, and the dress Taylor wears, designed by Gucci, is stunning. The shoes, by Gianvito Rossi, and earrings and bracelet, by Cartier, complete her outfit. As Taylor returns to set, she’s ready to bring her vision to life, and Get Lite is sure to be a movie to watch in 2027. Taylor’s crew is waiting, and she’s about to call “action” on the next scene, with DP Jack Belisle ready to capture it.
