Teyana Taylor Shares the Valuable Advice Beyoncé Gave Her
Teyana Taylor in January 2026 in Los Angeles; Beyoncé in December 2024 in Hollywood, Calif.
Amy Sussman/Getty; Amy Sussman/WireImage
NEED TO KNOW
- Teyana Taylor reveals the key piece of advice given to her by Beyoncé
- “I have been fortunate enough to meet, work, and be around some pretty amazing people within this business that has really helped shape me through it all,” the R&B singer and actress tells PEOPLE
- Taylor and Beyoncé first connected when she was 15 and began choreographing the “Ring the Alarm” music video
Teyana Taylor recently discussed the influential role Beyoncé has played in her career. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the R&B star shared a specific piece of advice that has had a lasting impact on her life.
At 35, Taylor revealed that Beyoncé, 44, advised her to "invest in yourself."
"Don’t take it personal," Taylor continued, referencing the wisdom of the 35-time Grammy winner. "This is a business."
Reflecting on their relationship, Taylor remarked that Beyoncé has been a mentor since she was introduced at age 15 for the choreographing of the "Ring the Alarm" music video.
"I definitely came into the business at a time where I went into everything with my heart, and I didn’t understand certain things," Taylor recalled. "I would go to her and she’d say, ‘Don’t take it personal.’ My mom would tell me the same thing."
This advice was particularly valuable for Taylor, who acknowledged the isolating nature of the industry. She noted, "Certain things would make you feel like, ‘Oh s—, in order for it to be done the way I see it in my head, I’m going to have to do this s— myself.’"
Furthermore, Taylor highlighted a crucial lesson from Beyoncé regarding financial responsibility: "The majority of your money [is] going toward everybody you had to pay to bring your vision to life."
Teyana Taylor in Beverly Hills on Jan. 11, 2026.
Earl Gibson III/2026GG/Penske Media via Getty
“Every single check ain’t going to hit your pocket, and that’s only if you truly believe in yourself. Believing in yourself is investing in yourself — and she taught me that,” Taylor explained.
Taylor further expressed her admiration for Beyoncé’s "gracious and humble" demeanor.
"That instilled in me if the Beyoncé is this way and she’s so grounded, this is the way I need to be," she stated.
Beyoncé’s humility has been a guiding example for Taylor, who emphasized, "And [Beyoncé], being as humble as she is and as grounded as she is, definitely showed me everything that I needed to know…and I don’t take for granted."
In October 2025, Taylor recounted her early experience choreographing Beyoncé’s 2006 "Ring the Alarm" video in a clip from UNINTERRUPTED and Indeed’s The Main Thing series. She reflected on receiving the call as a thrilling moment, recalling, "I got the call, and I, like, literally jumped up. [I] had my skateboard with me, like, I went in and was like, ‘Hey Everybody!’ And she was like, ‘She’s a star.’"
During the making of that video, Taylor noted being "face to face, knees bumping" with Beyoncé. Directed by Sophie Muller and inspired by Basic Instinct, the "Ring the Alarm" music video debuted in August 2006.
