Teyana Taylor Pays Homage To Janet Jackson By Recreating One Of Her Most Iconic Looks: ‘I Don’t Play About Janet’
Teyana Taylor is putting herself in Janet Jackson’s shoes, paying tribute to the singer by posing in one of her legendary looks.
Source: AB + DM / People
The Grammy Award winner recreates one of Janet Jackson’s most iconic looks, exclusive to People’s World’s Most Beautiful issue. For the occasion, Taylor is wearing the military-inspired cream ensemble Jackson wore while performing “If” during her Janet World Tour from 1993 to 1995.
“Everybody who knows me, knows I don’t play about Janet,” Teyana told the mag while getting ready for her close-up. “I’m still, like, her number one fan.”
The actress and singer went on to explain that her fandom dates back to the late ’90s. When she was only about 9 years old, Taylor found the DVD of Jackson’s ultra-sexy 1998-1999 “Velvet Rope” tour, which she admits she “had no business watching.”
“When I saw it, oh my God. I knew what I wanted to do when I got older,” she told People. “I knew that I wanted to be an artist.”
Source: AB + DM / People
The “Rose In Harlem” singer has recreated Jackson’s iconic looks before, but for this shoot, she wanted to do something “different and unexpected.” The look was styled completely by Taylor herself, with Baba Jagne and Laurel DeWitt bringing the vision to life alongside makeup artist Yeika Glow and hairstylist Lateafa Alvaranga.
“Everyone knows I’m obsessed with Janet. I’ve already recreated so many of her iconic looks,” Taylor said, citing her past tributes at the VMAs and BMI Awards. “So I wanted to do something that’s a little different and unexpected.”
Now, Janet and Teyana have formed a friendship, which is something Taylor has learned to manage without being too much of a fan.
“When I first retired from music (in December of 2020) she poured into me and gave me some really good advice,” she says of Jackson. “She played a big part in why I came back. It’s kind of crazy because now she’s like my homegirl in real life. I call her Jan. She’s one of those beautiful spirits. But even though we’ve grown a close bond, I’m still a fan. I don’t take it for granted.”
In response to the iconic recreation, Janet shared her reaction, and it’s safe to say she was impressed.
“Wow, I just have to say wow, Tey. You did it — you captured it; you captured the energy, the mood,” she said in her video filmed for People. “If only I had looked that beautiful.”
Janet added: “I mean, the outfit — so gorgeous, honey, it’s absolutely stunning. And on top of that, I’m honored. I’m really honored, Tey. Thank you so much. I love it, absolutely love it.”
