In addition to portraying Warwick, Taylor’s role extends beyond acting—she’s involved in production and directing, making her role even more significant.
Teyana Taylor is feeling the weight of responsibility as she prepares to portray music legend Dionne Warwick in an upcoming biopic. The 34-year-old actress and singer, chosen personally by Warwick for the role, revealed that she has been granted “a lot of creative control” over the project, which has left her both excited and “nervous.”
In an update to PEOPLE, Taylor shared that while progress has been steady, the team is taking their time to ensure the film is “perfect.” She explained, “We have everything kind of set in stone… everything is up and running,” despite some delays caused by unforeseen challenges. Taylor emphasized that capturing Warwick’s storied career is a big task, and she wants to make sure everything about the film is done right.
The actress also spoke about her deep commitment to ensuring that Warwick feels “safe” emotionally throughout the process. “Her safety, mentally, emotionally, everything,” Taylor said, noting that her relationship with the music icon is built on trust. In addition to portraying Warwick, Taylor’s role extends beyond acting—she’s involved in production and directing, making her role even more significant.
Warwick has expressed her confidence in Taylor’s ability to portray her, praising the actress as a “triple threat” who sings, dances, and acts. “She knows more about me than I know about myself,” Warwick remarked, citing Taylor’s extensive research into her life. The music legend added that the connection between the two was immediate, with photographs of the two women side by side reinforcing the casting choice.
The biopic, which Dionne Warwick had teased in 2021, will showcase not just Taylor’s acting skills but also her influence behind the camera. “She’s going to be very, very much involved in directing it and putting together parts,” Warwick had said.
With a profound sense of responsibility and creative freedom, Taylor is determined to do justice to Warwick’s legacy in the highly anticipated biopic.
