Teyana Taylor Flaunts Dazzling Whale Tail and Barely-There Cutouts at the 2026 Golden Globes

The red carpet at the Beverly Hilton was full of memorable moments on a night known for movies and standout fashion. Cameras flashed, photographers called out, and one arrival seemed to pause the usual Golden Globes excitement.

Teyana Taylor arrived at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards on January 11, 2026, in Beverly Hills, California. She stepped onto the red carpet with a calm and confident presence. Right from the start, she drew attention without any drama, standing tall as photographers captured every angle of her look.

Teyana's Sculpted Silhouette

From the front, her black gown balanced drama and simplicity. The dress twisted and gathered to shape her figure, with cutouts adding interest to the sleek design.

A long halter detail trailed behind her, looking like some movement. Her short, wavy hair framed her face and highlighted her glowing makeup as she stood calm and confident under the lights.

When Taylor turned, the back of her dress made an even bigger impression. Photos showed a low open back that revealed her tattoos and ended with a sparkling whale-tail detail, which quickly became a highlight of the night. The small cutouts and sharp tailoring mixed boldness with style, showing her fearless approach to red carpet fashion.

Social Media Reacts

The moment quickly spread across social media. On Facebook, a commenter wrote, "Now that's defying gravity!" in response to Taylor's gravity-resistant silhouette and confident pose.

On another post, another viewer reflected on her evolution, "You could have never gotten me to believe this was the same kid from My Super Sweet 16." A separate reaction on the same post crowned her outright, "Queen of the Red carpet."

Not all reactions were unanimous praise. In an Instagram post featuring the look, one Instagrammer criticized the design, writing, "This looks extremely uncomfortable."

Another commenter offered a more measured take, "She's gorgeous and her body is amazing but I feel like the dress doesn't do anything for her. That bow thing is distracting." Still, the accolades continued to roll in, with a fan summing up their verdict, "Best Dressed 👗 🔥🔥🔥🔥."

Beyond the dress itself, attention also turned to Taylor's personal moment on the carpet. In a comment on an Instagram Reel capturing her and her mother, Nikki Taylor, one viewer observed, "Teyana Taylor's mom behind her - like sisters. ❤️.”

Another echoed the sentiment, "Her mom looks like she could be her sister!"

By the end of the night, the Golden Globes had crowned its winners and delivered its usual share of viral moments, but Taylor's appearance stood apart. Through calculated design, poised movement, and an unapologetic embrace of risk, she ensured that her red carpet walk would be remembered long after the final award was handed out.

That fearless confidence was hardly a one-off, as Taylor has spent the past year repeatedly turning high-profile appearances into conversation starters, often long before she ever steps onto a major awards-stage carpet.

A bold red carpet moment by the actress left fans doing double takes, as a uniquely constructed outfit set off a firestorm of debate and more than a few confused comments.

At the 35th Annual Gotham Film Awards on December 1, 2025, Teyana Taylor arrived in a look that quickly became one of the most talked-about of the night. With her film "One Battle After Another" winning Best Feature, all eyes were already on her, but the unexpected design of her ensemble made sure no one could look away.

A Statement in Red: Taylor's Quirky Couture Steals the Spotlight

Her look was signature Taylor: bold, unconventional, and impossible to ignore, which is why she went minimalist in other aspects.

She kept her black short hair in soft curls, pairing it with nude-toned but heavy makeup, a glossy lip, and bold eyebrows. Additionally, she opted for barely any accessories, choosing small earrings and a single bracelet.

But let's discuss her clothes: the base of her Chanel outfit was a short-sleeve blouse with a slight sheen, relatively classic in comparison to what came next.

The blouse was tucked into a thick red-and-black belt that served as the anchor for the showstopping piece: her high-waisted, flared red skirt.

Covered in vibrant red plumage, the skirt created a dramatic, sculptural silhouette that gave the illusion of Teyana Taylor sitting down or her being shorter, even as she stood tall in her white and black-toed heels.

Naturally, this skirt's odd shape set the internet on fire.

Netizens React to the Illusion

"I thought she was sitting down 😂😭," one person commented. Another wrote, "Is she sitting down or standing up😂?" The confusion sparked laughter, but not everyone was amused.

"Lmao she looks 3 ft tall. this is not it [sic]," one critic said bluntly. Another vented, "They always have to make things so difficult. Like wearing a [expletive] dress you can't walk normally in and making others deal with it."

One person dismissed it entirely, "Big pass." Another added, "Unfortunately. Wrong outfit for her."

Still, not everyone was harsh. One fan pointed out, "This is the most conservative I've ever seen herm [sic]. It's adorable but plain in Teyana terms." And some couldn't care less about the outfit, simply writing, "I love her. 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹"

Just days ago, she had netizens talking about another interesting clothing choice. As previously reported, Taylor ignited a frenzy during the 99th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 27, 2025, in New York City.

Standing tall atop the peacock float, she appeared draped in a bizarre outfit that instantly triggered confusion, laughter, and admiration across the internet. At the same time, her children caught attention for a very different, much more understated reason.

An Avant-Garde Storm Hits Manhattan

Taylor was in an attention-grabbing coat, designed by Moncler and Jill Sander, that could never be defined as ordinary. The voluminous white garment was covered in thick fabric loops, creating a fringe-like silhouette that had many onlookers wondering if it'd been inspired by... cleaning supplies.

Underneath, she wore a sleek white fitted top with a balaclava-style hood, which hugged her head tightly. She finished the eccentric look with Aviator sunglasses, chunky black sneakers, and statement rings glinting on her fingers.

And Taylor knew what would people would think. Posting a carousel of photos to Instagram, the singer cheekily captioned it, "The MOP & The MOMENT in MANHATTAN with MACY'S 😆!"

She also added a heartfelt thank-you to Macy's, sharing that riding a float in the parade was a dream for any New York native.

Mommy Mode Activated, but Make It Fashion

Although Taylor's ensemble screamed high fashion eccentricity, her daughters exuded cozy, age-appropriate charm. Dressed warmly for the brisk November morning, Iman "Junie" Tayla Shumpert Jr., 9, and Rue Rose Shumpert, 5, wore layered outfits that subtly reflected their personalities.

The eldest wore all black, looking every bit like her father's mini-me, while her younger sister sported a colorful mix of warm clothing, including a jacket, boots, and tights.

Their presence was sweet and wholesome, yet the internet couldn't stop buzzing about the family's contrasting aesthetics.

Social Media Turns Into a Runway Roast and Rave

As soon as videos and images hit social media, the comments started flooding in. The debate was instant and intense.

First, it was all about mom. One baffled netizen asked, "Is Teyana Taylor dressed like a mop on purpose? I don't feel like it fits the float theme." Another echoed the confusion, "Why is Teyana Taylor dressed like a mop?"

But not everyone was roasting. Some were ready to crown Taylor the fashion queen of the parade.

"She can wear a mop and make it fashion 💅🏼," one fan raved. Another chimed in, "If sexy was a mop outfit. It would definitely be Ms Taylor. This lady kept us gasping for air 😘."

Many netizens didn't care about the clothes, just that she was there with her girls, who had already grown so much. Fans even gushed over how much they resemble their father, former NBA star Iman Shumpert.

"Junie get so big tall girl like daddy [sic]," one person wrote. Another said, "@imanshumpert beautiful daughters look so much like him. 💜" A third added, "Junie gonna be tall like Dad [sic]."

The praise also poured in for their clothes. "Love how her kids are dressed aged appropriately. Just sayin' [sic]," one netizen noted. Another fan declared, "So awesome to see you perform with your babies❣️."

A Mother Who's Always Been Real

Taylor has never hidden her motherhood journey from the public. Her eldest daughter was born in December 2015. In an emotional Instagram post at the time, the singer shared that she didn't even realize she was in labor until she felt her baby's head, making this a shocking and cherished Christmas gift.

Her second child arrived just as dramatically in September 2020. After hosting her baby shower, Taylor went into labor the very next day and had to deliver her baby in a bathroom again, without any medical help, just her then-husband at her side.

In a touching post, Taylor wrote, "Our newest edition entered the world in the water and came out looking around and ready to explore! A healthy child. A little sister. Another daughter. Black love wins....again."

From Heartbreak to Headlines

But behind the loving family, turmoil had been brewing. The singer filed for divorce from Shumpert in January 2023, though the split wasn't made public until months later. And when it did surface, the allegations were explosive.

TMZ obtained court documents in which Teyana Taylor claimed she tried desperately to save the relationship. But despite Shumpert's own successful NBA career and massive earnings, he allegedly grew jealous of her fame.

According to the documents, he loathed public events and would become irate when photographers asked him to step aside, so Taylor could shine.

Even worse, she said he didn't want her to work at all. Despite his own fame, he was reportedly threatened by hers. She claimed she even turned down major roles and recording contracts to appease him, but when she took a break after giving birth to her first daughter, he still criticized her.

As his NBA career waned, things spiraled. No matter how hard Taylor tried, the manipulation became unbearable, and she decided to end things.

Rebirth in Career, Love, and Purpose

In the wake of that heartbreak, Taylor has flourished like never before.

She's starred in several films this year already, including "One Battle After Another" opposite Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn, and has more projects coming up. And in August 2025, she opened up to InStyle magazine about how motherhood and independence have shaped her.

"My grind is different, my hustle is different," she said. "Like, I'm not playing with y'all, my tolerance is different, what I'm willing to take and what I'm not willing to take, you get what I'm saying?"

Her perspective on things changed because she now had to set an example for two girls. She continued, "Motherhood is what made me start to pour more into the other things that I love to do and also to help other people."

And yes, love may be blooming once more. In June 2025, Taylor went Instagram official with actor Aaron Pierre, known for "Rebel Ridge" and "Mufasa: The Lion King."

From sculptural gowns to deliberately polarizing couture, Taylor has made it clear that her fashion choices are never accidental. Whether sparking debate, admiration, or outright confusion, she continues to use style as both armor and expression, moving through red carpets, public life, and personal reinvention on her own terms, unapologetically and always in control of the spotlight.