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Teyana Taylor had fans doing a double take when she took to the stage to celebrate legendary soul icon Dionne Warwick’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The 33-year-old performer dazzled in an olive green fitted dress that hugged her sculpted figure, complete with elegant tassels. The look echoed the style of Warwick during her peak in the 1950s and ’60s, a time when she was celebrated for her ability to blend genres and connect generations with her extraordinary voice.
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Taylor complemented her outfit with a sleek updo featuring chic bangs and minimal makeup, allowing the dress to take center stage. At one point, the two looked remarkably alike as they shared a warm hug before Taylor took to the podium to salute the inimitable star.
It’s clear why Warwick “personally chose” Taylor to portray her in her upcoming biopic. Before the induction ceremony, Warwick expressed her admiration for Taylor in an interview with the Associated Press. The soul legend shared her enthusiasm for seeing how the talented singer and actress would bring her story to life, praising her as “a triple threat.”
Warwick continued, “She sings, she dances, and she is an actress. I have seen her films, I got to know her, and as I got to know her, I found that she was doing all of the research that she could find on me. She knows more about me than I know about myself,” the star chuckled. “I think she’s going to be the one, and I personally chose her – based on a couple of photographs my son found, one of her and one of me. We had them interposed together, and I can’t think of anybody else who would ever do it.”
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Teyana Taylor paid tribute to the star with a speech
While honoring the “Walk On By” hitmaker on Saturday, Taylor praised Warwick’s music as iconic and “truly one of a kind,” expressing gratitude to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for recognizing the soul singer’s contributions to music history, the Associated Press noted. The admiration continued on Instagram, where Taylor shared a heartfelt post celebrating the Grammy winner.
“What the world needs now might be love, sweet love. But what I think it really needs …is more Ms. Dionne Warwick,” Taylor, 33, captioned a photo carousel of her and Warwick exchanging a hug and highlights from her speech in a post shared on Oct. 20.
“Ms. @therealdionnew I love you so much & I feel so blessed to not only get to partner with you to bring your story to the big screen but to also honor and welcome you into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! Thank you @rockhall for having me.”
Dionne Warwick’s incredible career
Warwick began her epic career in the early 1950s, initially performing as a session singer. Her distinctive voice and charismatic presence quickly caught the attention of the music world.
According to The History Makers, at just fourteen, Dionne Warwick, along with her sister and cousin, formed The Gospelaires, a gospel trio that performed at local churches, college campuses, and African American theaters. Their talent earned them widespread recognition when they won an amateur contest at the Apollo Theater. Over the next few years, The Gospelaires provided backing vocals for notable artists like Dinah Washington, Chuck Jackson, and Solomon Burke.
In 1962, Warwick’s career took a significant turn when she signed with Scepter Records and collaborated with the legendary songwriting duo Burt Bacharach and Hal David. The partnership produced a string of hits that would define her career. Songs like “Don’t Make Me Over,” “Walk On By,” and “I Say a Little Prayer” became instant classics, showcasing her ability to convey deep emotion and sophisticated style.
From 1963 to 1966, she made history as the first crossover artist to score twelve consecutive Top 100 hits. In 1968, Warwick became the first African American solo female artist to win a Grammy for “Do You Know the Way to San Jose.” By 1970, she had released thirty hit singles and nearly twenty best-selling albums, earning a second Grammy for her album I’ll Never Fall in Love Again. She was also the first African American female artist to sing for Queen Elizabeth.
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