Teyana Taylor Gives Teary Speech After Surprise Golden Globe Win: ‘I Almost Didn’t Write a Speech Because I Didn’t Think I’d Win’

Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another went into the 2026 Golden Globes as a favorite: it received nine nods, the most of any film nominated at the 83rd annual Golden Globes. But Teyana Taylor’s win was far from a foregone conclusion. When it was revealed that the actor-musical artist had won her first Golden Globe — best performance by a female actor in a supporting role in any motion picture — on Sunday (Jan. 11) night, she was beside herself.

“I almost didn’t write a speech because I didn’t think I’d win,” Taylor said, crying and even shaking a bit as she began her acceptance remarks. “My babies are upstairs watching – y’all better be off those damn phones and watching right now,” she joked.

As her co-stars (and many others) gave her a standing ovation, Taylor thanked her director, calling him “Paul ‘Let Him Cook’ Anderson” and thanking him for his “vision” of One Battle After Another, which he also co-wrote.

After thanking her family, co-stars and team, she added an impactful message. “Last, but most importantly, to my Brown sisters and little Brown girls watching tonight. Our softness is not a liability. Our depth is not too much. Our light does not need permission to shine. We belong in every room we walk into. Our voices matter and our dreams deserve space.”

Taylor released her latest solo album, Escape Room, last fall. She told Billboard all about her new album in an episode of Takes Us Out.

The Golden Globes are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Eldridge Industries and Billboard parent company Penske Media.