Maxim has named Teyana Taylor the “sexiest woman alive.” The singer, actress and director reacted to the news of becoming the first black woman to land the cover and title, saying “Somebody pinch me!!!! Maxim Hot 100 to be named the ‘Sexiest Woman alive’ by literally living in the skin I’m in. WOW….”
She continued, “Stepping back in front of the lens has been a journey of self-reflection and self-confidence,” she said. “Living up to name and title of this shoot wholeheartedly made me nervous. 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…So I as you can see I don’t have much time to be and feel sexy.”
Teyana also explained that she arrived on set in sweatpants and a beanie hat and the photographer Gilles Bensimon told her that he'd like for her to remain in her same clothes without makeup.
Teyana recalled, “I was like SO LET ME UNDERSTAND THIS…I WILL BE THE SEXIEST Woman Alive IN SWEATS AND A SKULLY? As confused as I was my heart also melted…Embrace and love yourselves for who & what you are because only the purest heart shines through.”