Teyana Taylor is marking a major milestone in her career, and she brought fans along for the ride as it happened. The Harlem native earned her first-ever Oscar nomination and shared her emotional reaction in real time, posting a video that captured the moment she learned the news surrounded by loved ones.
On Jan. 23, Taylor uploaded a video reel to Instagram showing herself watching the Academy Award nominations announcement with friends and family. As her name was called, the room erupted into cheers, screams and tears, with Taylor visibly overwhelmed as she jumped up in disbelief. The video also showed quieter moments that followed, including phone calls with family members and a group prayer, as the reality of the moment began to sink in.
Taylor received a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the 98th Academy Awards for her performance as Perfidia Beverly Hills in “One Battle After Another.” The ceremony will take place March 15.
A Personal Message From a Harlem Girl With a Dream
Alongside the video, Taylor shared a heartfelt caption reflecting on the long road that led to her Oscar moment. She described herself as a “little Harlem girl” who held onto big dreams through years filled with doubt, setbacks and uncertainty. She thanked her support system, calling out her “village” and “prayer warriors” for standing by her throughout her journey.
Taylor wrote that her career has often felt like a constant fight for space, respect and opportunity, but said the nomination served as a reminder that dreams can survive even when the journey is difficult. She described the moment as a soft but powerful affirmation that everything she endured was preparation, not punishment.
The post quickly filled with messages of love and encouragement from fans who praised her perseverance and faith. Several comments highlighted how her journey resonated deeply, with supporters calling the moment inspiring and long overdue. Others echoed Taylor’s message about timing, writing that every battle she faced prepared her for this chapter.
Taylor emphasized that the honor belonged not just to her, but to the entire “One Battle After Another” cast and crew, as well as the Warner Bros. team who supported the project and believed in its vision.
A Breakout Awards Season Across Film and Music
Taylor’s Oscar nomination caps off a remarkable awards-season run that spans both acting and music. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another” follows an ex-revolutionary forced back into conflict when he and his daughter are pursued by a corrupt military officer. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall and Chase Infiniti, and earned 13 Oscar nominations overall, including best picture.
Earlier this month, Taylor won her first Golden Globe for her role in the film, delivering an emotional acceptance speech in which she admitted she did not expect to take home the award. Her momentum continued on the music side as well, with her 2025 visual album “Escape Room” earning her first Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album at the 2026 Grammys.
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter after the Oscar nominations were announced, Taylor said she was still processing the news and joked that her voice was strained from celebrating with her team. She reflected on a time when she felt creatively boxed in and questioned whether others believed she could succeed in more than one lane.
Taylor also shared that she connected with fellow Oscar nominee Jessie Buckley via FaceTime after the nominations, with both actresses celebrating and expressing pride in one another. For Taylor, the moment symbolized the power of believing in yourself even when others doubt your vision.
As she wrote in her post, “My heart is full. My life is forever changed, and I give all glory to God.”
