Dionne Warwick Praises Teyana Taylor, Affirms She Has More To Come Following Lifetime Achievement Award

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The pioneering popstar talked about breaking barriers, biopics, (Twitter) bios, and more.

Derek White/Getty Images for TV One

Dionne Warwick was recognized by TV One with the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Urban One Honors, but the New Jersey-bred legend is far from done making history.

“Well, I don’t think I’m finished with my lifetime of doing things. However, it’s always wonderful to be recognized in any vernacular,” Warwick told VIBE exclusively.

She didn’t pigeonhole herself by naming anything specific that she still wants to do, but simply added, “I’m still following the path God put me on.” She later revealed that she has no regrets. “None whatsoever,” Warwick shared confidently. “Every up and down has been designed to be so.”

Warwick, who was the first Black woman to win a pop music Grammy, is honored that she was able to pave the way for current pop sensations, including Doja Cat and Chlöe — who was honored by TV One with this year’s Generation Next award.

When Doja sampled “Walk On By” on her vibrant hit, “Paint The Town Red,” the 83-year-old said it was “quite the surprise,” but noted, “it’s wonderful that, I call them my babies, that they have recognized wonderful music and want to be a part of it.”

In addition to her recent honor, Warwick will perform at the inaugural Fool In Love Festival, has selected Teyana Taylor to portray her in an upcoming biopic, and has plans to fix Twitter, in a way.

For those younger fans who may attend the Lionel Richie and Diana Ross-led festival, Warwick insists that they can expect to witness, “some real pros. People who have been in the industry more than a half hour. And basically, you might learn something.”

When it comes to the social platform, the “Alfie” singer loves that it keeps her updated on the world. However, Warwick revealed, “I’m at the point now where I’m a little unhappy with some of the stuff I’m seeing on Twitter. So I’m going to have to get a little bit boisterous again, let my babies know we don’t have to do what you’re doing, and we can calm down.”

Of the biopic, she’s keeping the rest of the cast under wraps for now, but is “pleased” that Taylor is representing her in this way. Warwick also teased the A Thousand And One actress’ performance, “She has done research out the yang yang. I mean, she knows me better than I know myself now.”

The film will be a “little bit of both” her 2021 documentary and her memoir, My Life, As I See It. “It’ll tell us some of the escapades that I have been on, and the results of it. So it’s going to be quite interesting,” hinted the songstress.

The biopic doesn’t have a release date, but fans can check out a snippet of her Lifetime Achievement Award acceptance speech below from the 6th Urban One Honors, now airing on TV One.

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