Teyana Taylor Compares Parenting to Hannah Montana

Actress and mother of two opens up about balancing her career and family life.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 4:00pm

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In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Teyana Taylor compared her parenting style to the fictional character Hannah Montana, saying she lives "two different lives" - one as a celebrity on the red carpet, and another as a hands-on mom at home with her two daughters. Taylor, who is nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 2026 Oscars, described her older daughter Junie as a "little celebrity" and "leader" who understands the balance between Taylor's public and private personas.

Why it matters

Taylor's comments provide a rare glimpse into the challenges of parenting in the public eye, as the actress navigates her high-profile acting career while also raising two young daughters. Her ability to maintain a sense of normalcy and balance for her family despite the demands of fame is inspiring for other celebrity parents.

The details

Taylor shares two daughters - Iman "Junie" Tayla Shumpert Jr., 10, and Rue Rose Shumpert, 5 - with her ex-husband, NBA player Iman Shumpert. In the interview, she described how she shifts between "carpet mommy" and "mommy" at home, where the family enjoys activities like going to the trampoline park, cooking, and drawing together. Taylor said her daughters understand this duality and the importance of balance in her life.

  • Taylor was interviewed exclusively by PEOPLE at the TIME Women of the Year Gala on March 10, 2026.
  • Taylor is nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 2026 Academy Awards, which will be held on March 15, 2026.

The players

Teyana Taylor

A 35-year-old actress who is nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 2026 Oscars for her role in the film "One Battle After Another".

Iman "Junie" Tayla Shumpert Jr.

Taylor's 10-year-old daughter, whom she describes as a "little celebrity" and "leader" who understands the balance between her mother's public and private personas.

Rue Rose Shumpert

Taylor's 5-year-old daughter, who accompanied her mother to the 2026 Actor Awards and posed on the red carpet.

Iman Shumpert

Taylor's ex-husband and the father of her two daughters.

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What they’re saying

“I live two different lives where it's like, 'Okay, here's carpet mommy. But then here is mommy, when she's home, we're going to the trampoline park, we're cooking, we're playing, we're drawing.' So they understand balance.”

— Teyana Taylor

“She don't walk in saying, 'My mom needs this,' or 'I'm this.' I love that balance. But then you see Junie and Rue on a red carpet and they posing and serving. So I just think it's amazing to see how they navigate balance. It's really inspiring. It just makes me proud as a parent.”

— Teyana Taylor

What’s next

Taylor is nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 98th annual Academy Awards, which will be held on March 15, 2026.

The takeaway

Teyana Taylor's ability to balance her high-profile acting career with the demands of motherhood, while maintaining a sense of normalcy and quality time with her two daughters, is an inspiring example for other celebrity parents navigating the challenges of fame and family life.