Teyana Taylor Reacts To Being Named Maxim's "Sexiest Woman Alive"

BY Erika Marie 7.1K Views
Link Copied to Clipboard!
Michael Loccisano / Staff / Getty Images
Teyana Taylor, Maxim, Sexiest Woman Alive
This is reportedly the first time Maxim has crowned a Black woman with the title.

Their "Hot 100" in Hollywood list is filled with lust-worthy celebrities have that taken over the entertainment industry, but Maxim reserved their top spot for Teyana Taylor. For the first time in the history of their publication, Maxim named a Black woman as their "Sexiest Woman Alive," and to say that Teyana is excited is an understatement.

On Monday (June 7), the feature article was revealed along with Taylor's cover and she penned a lengthy caption on Instagram regarding the less-than-sexy circumstances surrounding her photoshoot. "Somebody pinch me!!!!" she began. "Maxim Hot 100 to be named the ‘Sexiest Woman alive’ by literally living in the skin I’m in."

"As a entrepreneur, wife, a busy mother of two & working behind the lens in my director bag I tend to hide behind my sweats & vintage tees," she added. "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. I had just dropped JUNIE off at school before heading straight to the shoot; sweatpants a beanie and an army jacket. My hair wasn’t done for a 'shoot' because I planned on throwing on a wig & I didn’t have on any make up."

However, the photographer, Gilles Bensimon, wanted to shoot her in exactly what she was wearing with minimal makeup and not much done to style her hair. "I say all of this to say in the true words of Audrey Hepburn… 'The beauty of a woman is not in facial mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years.'"

"Embrace and love yourselves for who & what you are because only the purest heart shines through," Taylor concluded. "Thank you @maximmag I am truly honored to have graced the cover." Check out a few hot shots below.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.