Teyana Taylor is making it clear that bringing Dionne Warwick’s story to the screen is more than just another acting role—it’s personal.
During her recent appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Taylor confirmed that she is still attached to portray the legendary singer in the upcoming biopic.
The project, which has been in discussions since 2020, first gained momentum when Warwick herself tweeted at Netflix, saying, “Please don’t ask who I would cast to play me as it would obviously be @TEYANATAYLOR.” Netflix’s official account responded with, “taking notes,” sparking fan excitement about the idea of a series.
When asked about the latest developments, Taylor explained that Warwick personally chose her for the role after spotting her on X (formerly Twitter). “She found me on Twitter and was like, ‘That’s my twin,’” Taylor recalled. “Then she literally made a tweet to Netflix and said, ‘When y’all ready, nobody else is playing me.’”
Taylor went on to emphasize that the project is moving forward carefully. “Yes, it is happening, but we want to get the script perfect,” she said. “I’m very protective of Miss Dionne. She’s got a lot of career and a lot of legacy that I want to make sure is done right. It’s kind of like, how do you put those many decades into a two-hour movie?”
Her comments highlight the challenge of adapting Warwick’s six-decade career, which includes iconic hits, humanitarian work, and trailblazing moments in music history, into a format that does justice to her influence. Taylor stressed again, “Like I said, I’m very protective of her, so I want to make sure this is all perfect.”
The update follows Taylor’s career shift over the past few years. After announcing her retirement from music in 2020 to prioritize her mental health, she has expanded her work in film, choreography, and production through her company, The Aunties Production.