Teyana Taylor Tackles the Wings of Death: From Culinary Aspirations to Impromptu Dance Battles
Teyana Taylor is no stranger to heat, but the multi-hyphenate star wasn’t about to let the “Wings of Death” compromise her composure. The Oscar-nominated One Battle After Another lead and Golden Globe winner sat down with Sean Evans for the latest episode of Hot Ones, strategically requesting that the host front-load the “heavy hitters” before the spice levels became overwhelming. “I’m a spicy food enthusiast. I genuinely love it,” the singer-actress declared with early-round confidence. “But I’m cautious about what you’ve planted in these wings. I’m remaining alert.”
Evans, renowned for his meticulous research, pivoted the conversation to Taylor’s recent academic pursuits. Last year, Taylor enrolled in the prestigious Escoffier School of Culinary Arts to earn a degree in pastry and culinary arts. When asked about her theoretical dream restaurant, she envisioned a nostalgic, mid-century aesthetic: a 1950s-themed diner featuring car-shaped banquettes and servers on roller skates. Always the visionary, she even detailed the uniform—leather chef’s jackets—and noted that the merchandise would be “top-tier.”
As the Scoville units climbed with the “Smokin’ Dragon” sauce, the dialogue shifted to Taylor’s roots in movement. She recounted her most high-stakes dance battle, which surprisingly took place during a third-grade recess. Lacking a sound system, she and her opponent performed in total silence. “We just got it popping,” she reminisced. “I don’t even remember what was supposed to be playing, but the energy was there.”
The conversation further delved into her professional resilience, specifically her ability to maintain poise when things go awry on stage—such as the viral moment her wig flew off, which she seamlessly integrated into her choreography. Taylor also shared her philosophy on navigating the entertainment industry. “I’ve learned that there is always a grander design for you,” she explained. “Even when you face rejection, you have to view that ‘no’ as a victory in disguise. Patience is essential to recognizing what is truly meant for your path.”
The atmosphere grew significantly more intense by the time they reached “Da Bomb Beyond Insanity” (clocking in at 135,600 Scoville units). “I need you to pause the questions for a moment; let’s take a beat,” Taylor urged as she battled the spice. Despite the burn, she reflected on a past interview where she described R&B as the most authentic genre in existence. Between sips of milk and cranberry juice, she noted that “no stone is left unturned in R&B. It allows for absolute vulnerability.”
In the final, sweltering moments of the episode, Taylor found solace in discussing her cinematic favorites, specifically the 1990 classic Pretty Woman. Admitting to a lifelong crush on Richard Gere and an admiration for Julia Roberts, she gushed, “I love the concept of fairytales and the idea of love itself. It remains one of my absolute favorite films.”
Watch the full, fiery interview with Teyana Taylor on Hot Ones below.
