The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Episode: Teyana Taylor | Speech Less

Date: February 26, 2026
Guest: Teyana Taylor

Episode Overview

This episode of The Late Show Pod Show features host Stephen Colbert in conversation with Grammy and Oscar-nominated singer and actress Teyana Taylor, fresh off her BAFTA win for her performance in "One Battle After Another." The discussion covers Teyana’s whirlwind awards season, her approach to her complex lead role, memorable on-set moments, her passions outside entertainment, and the grounding force of her family and cooking—a rich, lively discussion punctuated by Stephen’s signature humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Monologue Highlights (01:00–12:08)

• Recap and Satire on Recent Political Events
  Colbert skewers the recent State of the Union, referencing lackluster reviews and making satirical asides about missing Epstein files linked to Trump.

  • “The reviews are in and they are the bad.” (01:15)
  • On missing Epstein files: "That the files are missing should be the biggest story in the world. But we're all so exhausted…when a bombshell like this comes along, we go, ‘Oh, that's terrible. I wonder if that baby monkey made friends yet.’" (02:28)

• Commentary on AI and its Risks
  Stephen raises concerns about AI's enormous power consumption and military interest in AI for war games:

  • “In four years, AI's CO2 emissions are set to surpass the aviation industry. But no, folks, it's all worth it. Because humanity now has the power to create a video of the Zapruder film, but with all cats.” (09:24)
  • On AIs recommending nuclear strikes: “The models deployed at least one tactical nuclear weapon in 95% of the games. This reminds me of Oppenheimer's grim warning. I am become happy I died in the 1960s.” (11:37)

2. Teyana Taylor Interview Part 1: Awards Season and Viral Moments (13:18–15:44)

• Recognition and Gratitude
  Teyana discusses how surreal and gratifying her trajectory has been:

  • "My cheeks hurt because I'm just always smiling... I'm very happy right now." (14:10)

• Oscars Luncheon and Viral Photo with Jacob Elordi
  Teyana recounts her viral moment with Jacob Elordi:

  • “We were really actually having a mullet war… We were going mullet for mullet.” (14:43)
  • On who won the mullet war: "I think it was a tie." (15:01)

• Family as Oscars Dates
  When asked who she’ll bring to the Oscars, Teyana shares:

  • "My Nana wants to go. But my mom also was like, uh, uh, girl, I called my dibs. I said, I'm going. ... So I just went and bought everybody tickets." (15:13–15:31)

3. Inside “One Battle After Another” and Crafting a Performance (15:45–18:51)

• Character Study: Perfidia Beverly Hills
  Teyana delves into the complexity of her role:

  • “Perfidia has a lot of layers... a woman who is unapologetically herself... also coming from the pressures of being from a long line of revolutionaries... it's a lot... navigating her faith walk as she go through everything that she's going through.” (16:02)

• The Physical Demands: "A Whole Lot of Running"
  On the strenuous filming:

  • “He likes to throw it in. He's like, yeah, you know, we'll do a little running. I'm like, okay, cool... and then we get to set, and it's a whole lot of running.” (17:24)
  • “It was like eight blocks... back and forth and back and forth.” (18:06)
  • “I just knew we was gonna fight at some point. I said, I need five minutes with you. Five minutes. Lock the door, throw your hands, because this is crazy.” (18:13)

• Praise for Director Paul Thomas Anderson
  Discussion of their rapport and admiration for his unique filmmaking style:

  • “You would just get to Paul and be like, you know what? I don't want to fight you.” (18:27)
  • Colbert: "I saw things in there I've never seen before. Fantastic performances, but also just the way the film was shot." (18:48)

4. Clip & Reflections: The Power of the Letter Scene (19:46–22:19)

• On Pofidia’s Letter — Emotional Resonance
  Teyana describes why the scene hits so deeply:

  • “It's my favorite part of Pofidia's character. ...You hear regret, you hear fear, but you also hear freedom... I was really crying when I read the letter out loud, because they're very important questions and questions I ask my babies, you know, like, are you happy?” (19:57–21:09)

• Clip Excerpt:

  • “Yvonne, are you happy? Do you have love? ...Maybe you will be the one who puts the world right. I think of you every single day.” (21:11–21:42)
  • “And I wish I had been strong for the both of us…Please send a kiss to your dad, my ghetto pet. Love, your mom, Gravity.” (21:45–21:50)

5. Passions Beyond Entertainment: Culinary School (22:31–23:55)

• Therapeutic Nature of Cooking
  On why she enrolled in culinary school:

  • “It make me shut up... I'm able to shut everything off and just cook. It's always been therapeutic for me.” (22:39)
  • It brings quiet and normalcy for her and her kids: "The kids be so busy ready to eat that it makes them be quiet." (22:59)

• Teaching Her Kids to Be Adventurous Eaters

  • “Their palate is way more open than mine because I'm a creature of habit.” (23:10)
  • On pampering with “pommes purée”: "Pommes purée make mashed potato look ghetto. ... So now I just be feeling like, bougetto, bougie and ghetto." (23:17–23:51)

Notable Quotes

• Stephen Colbert:

  • “That the files are missing should be the biggest story in the world. But we're all so exhausted and worn down by this turd and a tie that when a bombshell like this comes along, we go, ‘Oh, that's terrible. I wonder if that baby monkey made friends yet.’” (02:28)
  • On AIs recommending nuclear strikes: "The models deployed at least one tactical nuclear weapon in 95% of the games." (11:37)

• Teyana Taylor:

  • “My cheeks hurt because I'm just always smiling.” (14:10)
  • “Perfidia has a lot of layers, and I think a lot of her layers are color coordinated… navigating her faith walk as she go through everything that she's going through.” (16:02)
  • On post-filming fatigue: "I just knew we was gonna fight at some point… because this is crazy." (18:13)
  • “It's always been therapeutic for me, but I think right now... it just brings quiet because the kids be so busy ready to eat.” (22:39, 22:59)
  • On culinary school: "Now I just be feeling like, bougetto, bougie and ghetto." (23:51)

Memorable Moments

• Teyana and Jacob Elordi’s “Mullet War” (14:43)
• Family Oscars Invite “Drama”: Teyana’s solution—bring everyone! (15:31)
• Exhausting but humorous recollection of filming running scenes (17:24–18:13)
• Emotional vulnerability describing the letter scene’s personal impact (19:57–21:09)
• Childhood food adventures—pommes purée over mashed potatoes (23:17–23:51)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamps | |---------|------------| | Colbert Monologue: State of the Union/Epstein/AI | 01:00–12:08 | | Teyana Taylor interview (Part 1: Awards, viral moments) | 13:18–15:44 | | Role in "One Battle After Another" | 15:45–18:51 | | The Powerful Letter Scene | 19:46–22:19 | | On Culinary School and Family | 22:31–23:55 |

Tone and Atmosphere

• Colbert’s Language: Satirical, quick-witted, and topical.
• Teyana’s Language: Warm, candid, humorous, often affectionate.
• Both share a playful energy, especially around family, cultural moments, and artistic process.

For New Listeners

This episode is a vibrant mix of sharp political comedy, thoughtful cultural commentary, and a heartfelt, laughter-filled conversation with an artist at the height of her powers. Teyana Taylor offers insight into her craft and personal life rarely heard elsewhere, making this an engaging listen for fans and new audiences alike.