In a lengthy caption of her pictures for the magazine, the singer/dancer admits posing for the photo shoot makes her 'see another side of myself' as she doesn't usually 'have much time to be and feel sexy.'
- Jun 8, 2021
AceShowbiz - Teyana Taylor has been showing that she's confident in her own skin and she now has received an honor to solidify it. The singer/dancer has been named Maxim's "Sexiest Woman Alive", making history as the first black woman to top the magazine's Hot 100 list.
Her title was unveiled on Monday, June 7 along with a cover and photos of her on the magazine's July/August 2021 issue. Sharing the snaps on her Instagram page, the Def Jam artist penned a lengthy message about self-confidence and embracing her true self.
"Somebody pinch me!!!!" she began her caption with her reaction to being named "Sexiest Woman Alive". "Maxim Hot 100 to be named the 'Sexiest Woman alive' by literally living in the skin I'm in. WOW...."
She then opened up, "Stepping back in front of the lens has been a journey of self-reflection and self-confidence. Living up to name and title of this shoot wholeheartedly made me nervous." Getting candid about her daily look, she explained, "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, My 'Spike Tey' glasses, and whatever hair style I've mustered up that day under my @theauntiesinc snap back! So I as you can see I don't have much time to be and feel sexy."
Teyana then revealed that the photographer decided to adopt her daily look for the Maxim cover shoot. "This particular day was dope because it made me see another side of myself," she divulged. "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. But when I got there the legendary @Gilles_bensimon said and I quote…. 'Let's shoot! I want you to stay in this…' I said 'HUH?! Well let me at least start my make up.. ' "
The mother of two further elaborated, "As y'all can see I barely had any lashes left He says no 'my dear this is pure.' And in regular Teyana Taylor fashion I said 'okay but look Ah b***h doing her baby hairs' LOL I was like SO LET ME UNDERSTAND THIS...I WILL BE THE SEXIEST Woman Alive IN SWEATS AND A SKULLY? Um I guess....' as confused as I was my heart also melted..."
In the end, Teyana learned to embrace her true beauty as she shared to her followers, "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."
She went on thanking Maxim for the honor, concluding her message, "Thank you @maximmag I am truly honored to have graced the cover. Thank you @gilles_bensimon for being so much fun. Thankful for everyone involved!"
In an interview with Maxim, Teyana also revealed her reaction to being tapped to grace the magazine's cover. "I've followed Maxim for a long time and I've always felt like I should be on the cover," she said. "So to actually get the call saying they want me on the cover really means a lot. I was like, what? They want me on the cover? Okay!"
