In a recent Instagram post, Teyana Taylor excitedly announced, “And just like that… 2020MORE Blessings!” confirming that the biopic on legendary singer Dionne Warwick is officially in the works and has secured funding for production. Her post was a photo of Damon Elliott’s post announcing the news, “It’s Official… we are funded and have a shoot date! ELLIOTT ENTERTAINMENT IS DOING BIG THINGS IN 2024!!”
In an April 2023 interview with Tamron Hall, Taylor emphasized the importance of Warwick’s comfort, stating, “I’ve always been a firm believer and always just stood on safety, you know what I’m saying? She’s had a wonderful career and I think right now is about making her feel as safe as possible.”
Expressing her gratitude in the Instagram post, Taylor reiterated her commitment, stating, “Ms. Dionne Warwick… A woman of great stature, poise, and elegance, with a fiery spirit.” She added, “Being able to learn and study from one of the greats like, @therealdionnew has allowed me to learn a lot about myself and the woman I am today.”
While speaking with Tamron Hall, Taylor shared, “We’re already working on it. We’re at the building process right now,” highlighting her dedication to ensuring a strong connection with the person she portrays, much like Angela Bassett’s and Jamie Foxx’s approach to iconic roles.
“We talk almost every day. That’s my girl. Me, her, and her son, yeah,” Taylor revealed. Warwick’s son is also the producer of the project.
Dionne Warwick, in previous discussions, praised Taylor’s dedication, stating, “She’s done her homework, She knows more about me than I know about me.” Warwick also described Taylor as a “hoot” and expressed her love for the actress.
The project, disclosed by Warwick in February 2021, involves Taylor not only as the lead actress but also in the directorial aspects. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Warwick said, “She’s very excited about the prospect of being involved and she’s also going to be very, very much involved in directing it and putting together parts and parcel of how we see this going.”
We’ll update you as more details emerge.