Teyana Taylor is setting the record straight after a lighthearted moment with Julia Roberts at the 2026 Golden Globes sparked online chatter. What some viewers interpreted as uncomfortable or inappropriate, Taylor insists, was nothing of the sort. The actress has since spoken publicly to clarify how she experienced the exchange, and why she believes the reaction missed the point.
Teyana Taylor clears air around her conversation with Julia Roberts at Golden Globes
The viral clip in question shows Julia Roberts embracing Teyana Taylor on the red carpet and joking that the actress was “teeny tiny,” adding that she should “eat a sandwich.” While some social media users criticized the comment and speculated it could be insensitive, Taylor says that interpretation does not reflect how the interaction felt to her.
While appearing on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on January 14, Taylor addressed the backlash directly and explained that she took the comment as playful and complimentary. “I’ve seen people trying to get on her about that,” Taylor said. “I was like, ‘Hold on.’ She told me I needed a sandwich because she couldn’t find my waist. … It was so cute.”
Taylor went on to describe the encounter as one of the most meaningful moments of the night. She recalled being overwhelmed with emotion while meeting Roberts, whom she has long admired. According to Taylor, Roberts made her way through the crowd to reach her, creating what she described as a surreal and almost cinematic moment. “I just dived into her arms,” Taylor said, adding that she immediately started crying.
In earlier comments to Entertainment Tonight, Taylor echoed that sentiment. The “One Battle After Another” star said she was stunned to meet “one of her heroes” and deeply affected by the encouragement Roberts offered her in that brief exchange. “She poured so much life into me, and I needed that,” Taylor shared. “Oh, my God, that was amazing.”
The actress, who won Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture at the ceremony, also emphasized gratitude throughout the awards weekend. Speaking at a later film premiere of “The Rip,” Teyana Taylor explained to Us Weekly that acknowledging blessings, especially after years of work, is something she doesn’t take lightly.
Originally written by Zahrah Patel on Reality Tea.
