Teyana Taylor shares why she refuses to cut ties with Ye despite his antisemitic remarks, offering a nuanced perspective on loyalty, boundaries, and personal accountability. In a culture that often demands absolute allegiance or total rejection, Taylor is choosing a more complicated—and deeply human—middle ground.
A Bond That Feels Like Family
In a recent cover story with Vanity Fair, the singer, actress, and creative visionary reflected on her long-standing relationship with Ye. Their connection stretches back more than a decade, beginning with her unforgettable appearance in his “Fade” music video—a moment that became a defining chapter in pop culture.
Taylor described their relationship as one rooted in a family-like bond, while making it clear that she does not support or excuse the antisemitic statements Ye has made in recent years. For her, care and criticism are not mutually exclusive.
“I don’t have to agree with everything he does or says,” Taylor explained, emphasizing that completely cutting someone off isn’t always her approach. She likened the situation to disagreements within her own family, noting that love doesn’t require endorsement of harmful behavior. At the same time, she stressed that she keeps herself removed from damaging ideologies and public controversies.
A Creative History, a Complicated Reality
Taylor’s professional relationship with Ye began early in her career, including contributions connected to his 2010 album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. That period also marked a major milestone for Taylor, as it led to her only appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped propel her into the mainstream music conversation.
Ye’s public image took a sharp turn in October 2022 following a series of antisemitic social media posts and a highly criticized Paris Fashion Week appearance. The backlash was immediate and far-reaching, with brands such as Adidas, Universal Music Group, and Balenciaga cutting ties. Although Ye later stated he was “done with antisemitism” in 2025 and issued an apology to a Jewish rabbi, his remarks have continued to spark widespread debate.
Teyana Taylor’s Own Moment of Triumph
While navigating the complexities of her past collaborations, Taylor has been firmly focused on her own ascent. The multi-hyphenate enjoyed a major career high in 2025 with her album Escape Room and a critically acclaimed performance in One Battle After Another. The year brought her first Grammy nomination and, most recently, her first Golden Globe win.
During her emotional acceptance speech, Taylor addressed viewers who see their own journeys reflected in hers. She spoke about embracing softness, depth, and self-belief—particularly for Brown women and girls—reminding them that they deserve space, visibility, and respect in every room they enter.
In sharing her story, Teyana Taylor shares why she refuses to cut ties with Ye despite his antisemitic remarks not as a defense of his actions, but as a reflection of her belief that accountability, growth, and human connection can exist side by side—even when the conversations are uncomfortable.
