Teyana Taylor Sparks Buzz Mingling with Ben Affleck & Matt Damon

On January 13, 2026, Teyana Taylor drew significant attention not only for her Golden Globe win but also for her lively interactions with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon at the New York City afterparty celebrating their Netflix film The Rip. The video capturing her candid moments with the Hollywood stars quickly sparked widespread discussion online, highlighting her growing presence in the entertainment world.

Taylor, dressed in a belted trench coat and dark sunglasses while carrying a white purse, matched the energy of the bustling afterparty. The intimate clip reveals the 35-year-old actress sharing laughs and engaging in expressive conversation with Affleck and Damon, creating a warm atmosphere that fans and onlookers found compelling.

Memorable Exchanges Between Teyana Taylor, Ben Affleck, and Matt Damon

Throughout the evening, Taylor mingled effortlessly with her co-stars. In one notable moment, she laughs alongside Affleck, their relaxed and friendly banter making for an engaging scene. Elsewhere in the footage, Taylor gestures animatedly while speaking with Damon, who listens thoughtfully, drink in hand. This chemistry between the trio garnered immediate reactions on social media platforms.

The online audience expressed a mixture of amusement and curiosity. Comments ranged from,

“She’s so personal and touchy feely, but in a good way!!! She’s just THAT GIRL!!🔥🤎”

to observations like,

“Notice where Matt keeps his hands.”

Others perceived Damon’s demeanor as a bit overwhelmed, with one remarking, “Matt looks overwhelmed. Lol.” Admirers cheered on Taylor’s confidence, with one saying,

Go girl!!! They are loving her and these are top tier [sic] actors.

Ben Affleck
Image of: Ben Affleck

Fans celebrated Taylor’s rise in the industry, with some expressing heartfelt pride. One passionate follower exclaimed in all caps,

SHINE! HARLEM! GIRL! SHINE!!!! From HARLEM to HOLLYWOOD!!!!!

Another predicted her continued success, stating she is about to win an Oscar as well, complete with celebratory emojis.

Teyana Taylor’s Golden Globe Triumph

Teyana Taylor’s recent win at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards marked a significant milestone in her career. She earned the award for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture for her compelling role in One Battle After Another. This victory solidifies her transition from music to a respected acting career.

In the Paul Thomas Anderson-directed drama, Taylor portrayed Perfidia Beverly Hills, a commanding figure among a distinguished cast featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, and Regina Hall. Her performance captured critical acclaim and marked her as a rising force in cinema.

During her acceptance speech, Taylor balanced humor with emotion. She playfully showcased the back of her gown, telling the audience,

Wait, see my party in the back,

eliciting laughter. She then shared sincerity, admitting,

I almost didn’t even write a speech because I didn’t think I would get this,

before expressing gratitude to the Golden Globe voters and acknowledging the support of her family, creative team, and director.

Toward the end of her speech, Taylor encouraged young Black girls and women watching:

Our softness is not a liability. Our death is not that it’s 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.

The Plot and Cast Behind The Rip

Following the award season momentum, Taylor stars prominently in The Rip, an action-thriller streaming on Netflix. The story is set in Miami and follows two police officers — Lieutenant Dane Dumars, portrayed by Matt Damon, and Sergeant JD Byrne, played by Ben Affleck. Both grapple with personal grief while uncovering $24 million in cash, setting off a complex investigation.

Teyana Taylor plays Detective Numa Baptiste, a key member of the task force working alongside Steven Yeun’s Detective Mike Ro. Together, they delve into the mystery surrounding the enormous sum of money, facing escalating risks as the truth unfolds.

Director Joe Carnahan revealed that the film draws inspiration from a real-life cash seizure involving his friend Chris Casiano. Carnahan explained,

“I just thought there was such a cinematic [element to it] … there was so much about it that appealed to me. And I love cop movies and the cop genre. I thought, ‘OK, let’s give this one a ride.’”

Carnahan’s decision to cast Taylor was influenced by a candid lunch meeting where she openly discussed personal experiences, including parenting and divorce. This emotional depth left a lasting impression. He added,

And I just fell in love with her. … She’s one of those people you look at and go, ‘Oh, that’s a movie star.’ Whatever the base ingredients are for the cake that bakes into a movie star, she’s got it all. And the success she’s had, I’m so happy for her, and she deserves all of it.

The Red Carpet Buzz at The Rip Premiere

Taylor’s presence at the New York premiere on January 13, 2026, turned heads due to her fashion-forward and avant-garde outfit, sparking a flurry of online reactions. Alongside Affleck and Damon, she stepped onto the red carpet at Lincoln Center, attracting equally as much conversation about her look as the film itself.

Her striking ensemble featured a sheer, body-hugging black outfit arranged diagonally across her frame, complemented by a black face covering that hid her nose and mouth. Only her boldly defined eyes were visible, enhanced with dramatic makeup, while her short, sculpted hairstyle and stacked rings completed the high-fashion presentation.

Mixed Online Reactions to Taylor’s Bold Fashion Choice

Social media responses varied widely. Some applauded her eye makeup, with one Instagram comment stating,

The cat eyes are saying everything 💯🔥.

Others interpreted the look as making a strong statement, with jokes like,

This look like one of them break up revenge looks [sic] 😂.

However, the face covering also drew criticism. One critic accused Taylor of being insensitive amid national news of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers using similar masks in Minneapolis raids, writing,

Teyanna must not be watching the news because that outfit is tone deaf. There are hundreds of ICE officers dragging people out of homes and cars all over Minneapolis who have face masks just like her. Not a good look.

Additional negative comments targeted the outfit’s combination, saying,

Love handles and a Covid mask in a dress. Great.

Conversely, many supporters defended Taylor, with fans asserting,

Tbh. She is today’s fashion icon and it girl. No one is seeing her right now,

and another simply praising,

Tey always best dressed [sic] 😍.

On Facebook, opinions remained divided. Some compared her face covering to a ski mask, while others appreciated her forward fashion sense, commenting,

Very Futuristic. This is showing her ‘really creative’ side. Catwalks would walk this so… Idk, I like seeing her in her style of fashion forward. This is too forward, lol!

Taylor’s Influence Beyond Fashion and Film

The fashion moment complemented Taylor’s notable surge in headlines not limited to style. In the weeks surrounding the premiere, she stirred personal life speculation, igniting rumors of a potential relationship with former NFL star Chad Ochocinco Johnson after sharing a widely circulated social media post.

As always, Taylor’s public appearances manage to command attention and fuel conversation, whether through her artistry, her insightful performances, or her magnetic personality. Her ability to turn red carpet events and award ceremonies into cultural moments continues unabated, marking her as a dynamic figure in Hollywood’s evolving landscape.

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