‘Zola’ Star Taylour Paige Says Playing A Stripper Marked A Pivotal Change In Her Life
When it comes to body language, perhaps no one knows it better than dancer turned actress Taylour Paige. The star of the new Twitter-inspired film Zola traded her footwork for the pole-work in the portrayal of her titular character. And much like with the film's viral 148-tweet source material, Taylour is the talk of the town and absolutely sizzles in her on-screen performance, on and off the pole. The end result? Taylour was able to tap into a freedom she didn't know she needed.
The 30-year-old took the acting world by storm when she came onto the scene via her breakout role in the hit series Hit the Floor. But what some may not know is that Taylour's lead role in the show wasn't a far cry from her own reality. While the actress might have been portraying Los Angeles Devils girl Ahsha Hayes on-screen, she was a former Los Angeles Lakers girl in real life.
Zola, however, is quite the departure from her goody-two-shoes image as doe-eyed Ahsha. Much like the Twitter "hoeism" thread it was based on, the A24 production follows Zola (portrayed by Taylour) and Stefani (portrayed by Riley Keough) as they journey to Florida to make money dancing and the crazy ride that ensues as their time together unfolds. The dramedy is a chaotic blend of suspense, thongs, and intrigue.
When trading in her dancing shoes for stilettos, Taylour admitted wearing Zola's shoes required more of her than any character has before. She told The Wrap:
"I'm a dancer, but I worked at the strip club for four weeks. I think all my life experiences prepared me for the role. I didn't want to look like an actor trying to dance, I didn't want to look like a dancer trying to strip, I wanted to look like this person in the given circumstances who works at a restaurant and also dances."
During her time researching her role, Taylor also connected with the real-life Zola, A'Ziah-Monae King, who also helped her add color and texture to her portrayal on-screen.
"We just talked a lot and I got to know her voice and her spirit. She's just so funny and quick and smart. Her use of punctuation, like everything about her … she's on some other s–t."
That friendship, preparation, and overall starring role in the indie film has changed Taylour forever. Stepping into the shoes and the skin of someone else helped her shed a layer of herself she didn't know she needed to lose.
"[The role gave me] freedom to be a woman and love my body and my sexuality, and not being also self-conscious or such a perfectionist. Just giving myself grace to figure it out as I go and be as present and honest as I can with the dialogue … it just marked a really, really, really pivotal change in my life."
Zola is out now in theatres.
Featured image by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images
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ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage
