Teyana Taylor has spoken out to clear up misunderstandings surrounding a brief moment with Julia Roberts during the 2026 Golden Globes. What some viewers labeled as awkward or inappropriate was, according to Taylor, a sweet and genuine interaction that reflected warmth rather than offense. Addressing the situation publicly, Taylor shared her perspective on why the online criticism missed the context entirely.
The clip that circulated online showed Julia Roberts greeting Taylor with a hug and saying she looked “teeny tiny,” suggesting she should “eat a sandwich.” Social media users debated whether this comment was insensitive; however, Taylor rejected that idea and described the remark as playful and affectionate. On January 14, during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, she responded to the backlash directly.
“I’ve seen people trying to get on her about that,”
Taylor noted.
“I was like, ‘Hold on.’ She told me I needed a sandwich because she couldn’t find my waist. … It was so cute.”
Teyana Taylor recalls emotional moment meeting Julia Roberts
Taylor explained that the encounter with Roberts was one of the most impactful highlights of her night. She emphasized the strong emotions she felt meeting an actress she has admired for years. Roberts, Taylor said, made a point to navigate through the crowd just to embrace her, creating what Taylor described as a surreal, cinematic experience.
“I just dived into her arms,”
Taylor shared, adding that the moment overwhelmed her to the point of tears.
In previous remarks to Entertainment Tonight, Taylor reiterated this sentiment, describing Roberts as a hero and expressing how powerful the brief interaction was for her morale and confidence.
“She poured so much life into me, and I needed that,”
Taylor said.
“Oh, my God, that was amazing.”
Gratitude and reflection after winning at the Golden Globes
The actress, who earned the Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture award at the ceremony, continued to highlight appreciation throughout the weekend. At a subsequent film premiere for The Rip, Taylor spoke with Us Weekly about how deeply she values the recognition after years of hard work and dedication. This moment of acclaim was clearly meaningful beyond the trophy, symbolizing a milestone in her career journey.
