Teyana Taylor is featured in People's World's Most Beautiful Issue, and she uses the moment to pay tribute to one of her biggest musical inspirations: Janet Jackson.
For the shoot, she recreated Janet's military-inspired cream outfit from the 1993-1995 Janet World Tour.
"Everybody who knows me, knows I don't play about Janet," Teyana says. "I'm still, like, her number one fan."
"Everyone knows I'm obsessed with Janet. I've already recreated so many of her iconic looks," she continues. "So I wanted to do something that's a little different and unexpected."
Teyana credits Janet for fueling her desire to be an artist, back when she discovered the DVD for Janet's 1998-1999 Velvet Rope tour at 9 years old.
"When I saw it, oh my God. I knew what I wanted to do when I got older. I knew that I wanted to be an artist."
Teyana has come a long way since then and now considers Janet a friend. She even credits Janet with helping her return to music.
"When I first retired from music (in December of 2020) she poured into me and gave me some really good advice," Teyana says. "She played a big part in why I came back. It's kind of crazy because now she's like my homegirl in real life. ... But even though we've grown a close bond, I'm still a fan. I don't take it for granted."
Janet has since responded to the tribute, telling People, "Wow, I just have to say wow, Tey. You did it — you captured it; you captured the energy, the mood. If only I had looked that beautiful."
“I mean, the outfit — so gorgeous, honey, it's absolutely stunning," she adds. "I'm really honored, Tey. Thank you so much. I love it, absolutely love it.”