Teyana Taylor’s Parents: The Private Father and the Manager Mom Who Made It Happen
By D.M.June 4 2025, Published 1:37 a.m. ET
The Breakdown: Teyana Taylor’s parents played very different roles in her life. While her mom, Nikki Taylor, raised her solo and managed her career from the jump, her dad, Tito Smith, remained low-key.
Teyana Taylor didn’t just pop out the gate with talent — she had her mom, Nikki Taylor, leading the charge. Teyana was raised primarily by her mom in New York City. Nikki – a former celebrity stylist – became her daughter’s full-time manager. OG fans of Teyana will remember seeing glimpses of her parents on My Super Sweet 16, when the then-teenager appeared on the show.
Teyana’s dad, Tito Smith, has largely stayed out of the spotlight. Nikki raised Teyana solo, and Teyana is notably her mother’s only child. Let’s take a look at the singer’s parents and the relationship they share.
Teyana Taylor’s parents heavily influenced her career.
Nikki Taylor has literally been Teyana’s ride-or-die since Day One. Originally an NYC fashion stylist, Nikki soon found herself designing Teyana’s life in the same way. She booked 15-year-old Teyana on MTV’s My Super Sweet 16 in 2007. At home, Nikki doubled as Teyana’s first music teacher. The singer recalls her mom spinning classic soul hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s as a kid.
“My mom would play all these records, the greatest hits of the 90s, 80s and 70s,” Teyana told i-D. “And while the kids would play, I would literally have my ear against the wall just singing all the songs.”
Tito Smith, Teyana’s dad, is a bit of a mystery. He and Nikki were only together briefly – Nikki became a single mom. According to Cheat Sheet, Tito went on to have three other children from a different relationship and has mostly stayed out of public view. Teyana herself barely mentions him in interviews.
Teyana Taylor is also a sister and a mom.
The Taylor family story doesn’t end with Teyana’s parents. Teyana is also a sister. Her father, Tito, has three additional children. However, they are not in the public eye. Teyana was also married for some time. She married NBA star Iman Shumpert in 2016, and the couple became parents to two daughters. In 2015, they welcomed Iman “Junie” Tayla Shumpert Jr., and in September 2020, their second girl, Rue Rose, arrived.
Teyana and Iman have since split. The divorce was finalized in July 2024, according to People. Both co-parents – mom Nikki included – have since focused on the kids. However, their estranged relationship has been filled with drama. Teyana has accused Iman of leaking details about their split to news outlets, A claim the former NBA player denies.
"My client, Mr. Iman Shumpert, has never whatsoever leaked any allegations or claims stated in any of the pleadings," Iman’s attorney Stephen C. Steele said. "Mr. Shumpert adamantly denies that he has provided any information to any media. Specifically, but without limitations, he denies that he leaked any information which may have served as the basis for the multiple news reports preceding the trial of this matter."
