Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Teyana Taylor reacts as she’s the first Black woman to be declared Maxim’s ‘sexiest woman alive’

‘Embrace and love yourselves for who and what you are because only the purest heart shines through’

Rachel Brodsky
Los Angeles
Tuesday 08 June 2021 21:38 BST
Comments
Hollywood’s Fresh Faces: Teyana Taylor

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Teyana Taylor has been crowned Maxim's ‘sexiest woman alive’, the first Black woman to be awarded the title.

The singer, model, dancer and entrepreneur reacted to the news on social media, writing, “Somebody pinch me!!!! Maxim Hot 100 to be named the ‘sexiest woman alive’ by literally living in the skin I’m in.”

Taylor also took a moment to reflect on how the day she shot the Maxim cover was “dope because it made me see another side of myself”.

“As an entrepreneur, wife, a busy mother of two and working behind the lens in my director bag, I tend to hide behind my sweats and vintage tees, My 'Spike Tey' glasses, and whatever hairstyle I’ve mustered up that day...," she reflected in an empowering note. “So I as you can see, I don’t have much time to be and feel sexy. This particular day was dope because it made me see another side of myself.

“Embrace and love yourselves for who and what you are because only the purest heart shines through,” she concluded.

Speaking to Maxim, Taylor expressed her joy at being asked to appear on the magazine's July/August 2021 cover. “I’ve followed Maxim for a long time and I’ve always felt like I should be on the cover,” Taylor said the magazine during the cover interview. “So to actually get the call saying they want me on the cover really means a lot. I was like, what? They want me on the cover? Okay!”

Taylor was most recently seen in the comedy sequel Coming 2 America, where she starred as Bopoto.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in