Taylour Paige

Summary

Taylour Dominique Paige-Angulo (born October 5, 1990) is an American actress and dancer. She is best known for her role as Aziah "Zola" King in the film Zola (2020) which won her the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead. Other notable performances include her role as Ahsha Hayes in the VH1 sports drama series Hit the Floor, Jean of the Joneses (2016), White Boy Rick (2018), Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020), and Boogie (2021).

Taylour Paige
Paige at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival
Born
Taylour Dominique Paige

(1990-10-05) October 5, 1990 (age 33)
EducationSt. Bernard Catholic High School
Alma materLoyola Marymount University
Occupations
  • Actress
  • dancer
Years active2001–present
Spouse
Gary "Rivington Starchild" Angulo
(m. 2022)

In 2022, Paige ventured into music, collaborating with Kendrick Lamar on the song "We Cry Together", which reached the top twenty on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned her a Grammy Award nomination.

Early life and education edit

Taylour Dominique Paige[1] was born on October 5, 1990, in Santa Monica, California to Reginald Paige and Cheryl Williams.[2][3] She grew up in Inglewood, California, a suburb of Los Angeles, with her older brother Travis.[4] Paige began dancing at the age of 2 and trained at Katnap in Venice, Westside Ballet Academy, and later spent two consecutive summers at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, DC. In 2001, she became a student of choreographer Debbie Allen, and auditioned for her musical Pearl.[5][6]

Paige attended St. Bernard Catholic High School in Playa del Rey where she graduated in 2008. She became a Los Angeles Laker Girl in 2010[5] and spent three months with the professional cheerleading squad before leaving to finish college and pursue her acting career. As a Laker Girl, she was featured in a special by Fox Sports on the making of the 2011 Laker Girls Calendar.[7] She is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University.[8]

Career edit

Paige has been featured in commercials and advertising campaigns for Transamerica, Best Buy, McDonald's, Adidas and Just Dance 3 following her stint as a Laker Girl. Her first film role was in High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008), where she was a featured dancer. After appearing in small roles in several short films, Paige starred as Ahsha Hayes in the sports drama television series Hit the Floor (2013–2018).[9][10] She left the show in 2016 after three seasons.[11]

In 2016, Paige starred as the eponymous character in Canadian filmmaker Stella Meghie's directorial debut Jean of the Joneses.[8] The film was met with positive reviews.[12] She had a supporting role as Cathy Volsan-Curry in the crime drama film White Boy Rick (2018), which was met with mixed reviews.[13] Paige has made guest appearances in the thirteenth season of Grey's Anatomy and Ballers.[14]

Paige had her breakthrough role as the titular character in the black comedy crime film Zola (2020).[15] The film and her performance earned rave reviews, and earned Paige the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead.[16][17] That same year, Paige had a supporting role as Dussie Mae in the drama film Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, which was met with critical acclaim and earned her an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.[18][19] In May 2022, Paige made her music debut by contributing to rapper Kendrick Lamar's fifth studio album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers on the critically-acclaimed track "We Cry Together", earning a Grammy Award nomination.[20][21][22] She then co-starred alongside Lamar on its short film adaptation in September.[23][24] In November, Paige was featured in Barbadian singer Rihanna's fourth installment of her Savage X Fenty Show.[25][26]

Upcoming projects edit

In May 2021, Paige landed the female lead opposite Peter Dinklage and Jacob Tremblay in the upcoming superhero film The Toxic Avenger for Legendary Entertainment.[27] On August 23, Deadline Hollywood reported that she closed another deal with Legendary to star in the upcoming comedy film Brothers.[28] In March 2022, Paige signed on to star alongside Vito Schnabel in the upcoming dark comedy film The Trainer. In September, she joined the cast of the upcoming action comedy film Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, where she will star alongside Eddie Murphy and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.[29][30]

Personal life edit

From May 2019 to August 2021, Paige was in a relationship with actor Jesse Williams.[31][32] On October 5, 2022, she married fashion designer Gary "Rivington Starchild" Angulo after sharing their engagement two weeks prior.[33][34]

Filmography edit

Film edit

Year Title Role Notes
2008 High School Musical 3: Senior Year Featured dancer "I Want It All" song
2010 Alex in Wonderland: Rehearsing Wonderland School Girl Video short
2010 Alex in Wonderland: Interview with Debbie Allen School Girl Video short
2011 Mousetrap Mousetrap Keeper #4 Short
2015 Touched Gina
2016 Jean of the Joneses Jean Jones
2018 White Boy Rick Cathy Volsan
2020 Zola Aziah "Zola" King
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Dussie Mae
2021 Boogie Eleanor
2022 Sharp Stick Treina
Another Country Mother Short
Mack & Rita Carla
We Cry Together Girlfriend Short film
2023 Magazine Dreams Pink Coat
The Toxic Avenger J.J. Doherty
2024 Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F Jane Post-production
TBA Brothers TBA Completed
The Trainer TBA Filming

Television edit

Year Title Role Notes
2004 That’s So Raven As An Extra (dancer) Season 2: Episode 18
2010 Making of the Laker Girls Calendar 2011 Herself Television documentary
2013 2013 Do Something Awards Herself Television special
2013–2016 Hit the Floor Ahsha Hayes Series regular (seasons 1–3)
2013 Hit the Floor AfterBuzz TV Panelist Unknown episodes
2015 Ballers Theresa 2 episodes
2016 Grey's Anatomy Emma Episode: "Falling Slowly"
2025 Welcome to Derry TBA [35]

Music videos edit

Year Title Role Notes
2014 "She Came to Give It to You" Dancer Usher ft. Nicki Minaj
2022 "We Cry Together" Girlfriend Kendrick Lamar ft. Paige

Discography edit

Charted songs edit

List of charted songs, with year released, selected chart positions, and album name shown
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
[36]
AUS
[37]
CAN
[38]
SWE
[39]
WW
[40]
"We Cry Together"
(with Kendrick Lamar)
2022 16 19 22 96 20 Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers

Awards and nominations edit

Year Award Category Title Result Ref.
2021 Critics' Choice Movie Awards Best Acting Ensemble Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Nominated [41]
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Nominated [42]
[43]
Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture Won
Gotham Awards Outstanding Lead Performance Zola Nominated [44]
2022 Black Reel Awards Outstanding Actress Nominated [45]
Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Female Nominated
Independent Spirit Awards Best Female Lead Won [46]
2023 Grammy Awards Album of the Year (as featured artist) Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers Nominated [22]

References edit

  1. ^ "Taylour Paige". RottenTomatoes.com. Fandango. Archived from the original on June 21, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  2. ^ Paige, Taylour [@taylour] (June 16, 2019). "HAPPY FATHER'S DAY REGINALD PAIGE ❤️". Retrieved August 7, 2020 – via Instagram.
  3. ^ Paige, Taylour [@taylour] (July 9, 2020). "This young ting turned 66 July 7th. Cheryl Boutte. Thankful for her love, her resilience. Thankful for healing. Thankful for understanding..." Retrieved August 7, 2020 – via Instagram.
  4. ^ "Taylour Dominque Paige, Born 10/05/1990 in California | CaliforniaBirthIndex.org". www.californiabirthindex.org. Archived from the original on July 27, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Frederick, Candice (June 30, 2021). "Taylour Paige on 'Zola,' Grace and Being Kinder to Herself". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on July 31, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  6. ^ Riley, Jenelle (June 18, 2021). "Taylour Paige on Connecting With the Real Zola, Training at a Strip Club and What Convinced Her to Do the Film". Variety. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  7. ^ "PHOTOS VIDEO Hit the Floor's Taylour Paige as a Laker Girl". Starcasm.net. May 30, 2013. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  8. ^ a b "'Jean of the Joneses' delivers fresh voices from Stella Meghie and Taylour Paige at SXSW". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  9. ^ "Taylour Paige On Ahsha's Care Bear Persona In 'Hit The Floor' Episode 1". www.vh1.com. Archived from the original on January 4, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  10. ^ Daniels, Sharifa (May 26, 2014). "Vixen Chat: Taylour Paige On Her Surreal Life + 'Hit The Floor'". VIBE.com. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  11. ^ Bartz, Sarah (October 3, 2017). "Fan Favorites Not Returning To Hit The Floor". MyFantasySportsTalk. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  12. ^ Chang, Justin (March 30, 2016). "Film Review: 'Jean of the Joneses'". Variety. Archived from the original on November 1, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  13. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 16, 2018). "Why 'The Predator' Is Shorter Than 'Predators' At $24M & 'White Boy Rick' So Pale At $8M+ – Sunday Box Office". Deadline. Archived from the original on April 8, 2019. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
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  18. ^ Giannini, Melissa (December 24, 2020). "'I Wouldn't Have Been Able to Play Dussie Had I Not Played Zola': Taylour Paige on Making Art with Intention". ELLE. Archived from the original on July 31, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  19. ^ Carras, Christi (February 2, 2021). "Netflix, HBO and Beyoncé lead 2021 NAACP Image Award nominations". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  20. ^ Bergeson, Samantha (May 13, 2022). "'Zola' Breakout Taylour Paige Makes Rap Debut on Kendrick Lamar's 'We Cry Together'". IndieWire. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  21. ^ "The Most Attention-Grabbing Moments on the New Kendrick Lamar Album 'Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers'". GQ. May 13, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  22. ^ a b Lee, Taila (November 15, 2022). "2023 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Complete Nominees List". The Recording Academy. Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
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  25. ^ Boyle, Kelli. "Rihanna's 'Savage x Fenty Show Vol. 4' to Feature Sheryl Lee Ralph & More". TV Insider. Archived from the original on October 31, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
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  29. ^ Bucksbaum, Sydney (August 29, 2022). "Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Taylour Paige join Eddie Murphy's 'Beverly Hills Cop' sequel". EW.com. Archived from the original on September 8, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  30. ^ "Beverly Hills Cop 4: Taylour Paige and Joseph Gordon-Levitt Join Cast". August 29, 2022. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  31. ^ Tharpe, Frazier (February 17, 2021). "Jesse Williams and Taylour Paige's Balancing Act". GQ. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
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  33. ^ Bansinath, Bindu (October 7, 2022). "Taylour Paige Got Married on Her Birthday". The Cut. Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  34. ^ "Taylour Paige Marries Designer Rivington Starchild on 32nd Birthday: 'Greatest Day of My Life'". Peoplemag. Archived from the original on October 19, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  35. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 5, 2023). "HBO Max 'It' Prequel Series 'Welcome To Derry' Sets Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, James Remar & Chris Chalk". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  36. ^ Xander Zellner (May 23, 2022). "Kendrick Lamar Charts All 18 Songs From 'Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers' on Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  37. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. May 23, 2022. Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  38. ^ "Kendrick Lamar – Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  39. ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 20". Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  40. ^ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History: Billboard Global 200". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  41. ^ "Critics Choice Awards 2021: See the full list of winners". CNN. March 8, 2021. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  42. ^ Del Rosario, Alexandra (February 2, 2021). "NAACP Image Awards Nominations: Netflix Tops List With 'Bridgerton', 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' & 'Da 5 Bloods'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  43. ^ Hipes, Patrick; Ramos, Dino-Ray (March 27, 2021). "NAACP Image Awards Winners: 'Bad Boys For Life' Best Picture, D-Nice Entertainer Of The Year; Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman Top Movie Acting Honors – Full List Of Winners". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 27, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  44. ^ Lattanzio, Ryan (November 30, 2021). "Gotham Awards: 'The Lost Daughter' Wins Top Prize — See the Full List of Winners". IndieWire. Archived from the original on December 12, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  45. ^ Fraley, Jason (December 16, 2021). "'The Harder They Fall' leads Black Reel Awards with record 20 nominations". WTOP News. Archived from the original on December 17, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  46. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (March 6, 2022). "Spirit Awards: Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.

External links edit

  • Taylour Paige at IMDb