POPSUGAR: How did it feel to be chosen for the 50th anniversary of the calendar, and what was your experience like on set?
Teyana Taylor: Oh my god, it felt so amazing because Pirelli is super iconic. When I got the call, I'm like, 'Me? They want me? With who? And who? And who?' I was really grateful. They embodied who I was with the garden, the roses, the spaceship, and the crazy ensemble. It was really giving Mother Alien, and you can tell it wasn't like, oh yeah she's hot right now, so let's get her. Every detail was carefully thought out, and to experience Africa in that way was so amazing. Although I only had 30 hours there, I would wake up early to go to the markets, get clothes, and experience the culture, and it was just really beautiful.
PS: What is special to you about the calendar?
TT: What I respect about the calendar is that it was never a popularity thing. You had to be a true creative and do something meaningful in this world to be included. And to be next to so much Black excellence at that magnitude? That lineup is truly nothing to play with.
This year has been a big year for me, and being on the calendar was just further testament to my quote of always saying, "The wait is not punishment, it was preparation for what was already written." And honestly, this year has been nothing but filled with all of the things that God has already written for me, because what's written is already yours. It's just about when you get it. And I feel like He's just giving it to me tenfold. Why would I just sprinkle it here and there? I'm going to give you everything.