Teyana Taylor Focused On 'Protecting Family' Amid Leaked Divorce Documents

Teyana Taylor is setting the record straight after the details of her divorce from Iman Shumpert hit the headlines.

While information on her previously secret divorce filing continues to emerge, the singer-songwriter and actress has taken to her social media platform to confirm her dedication to keeping the matter private.

She informed her multitude of followers and fans that she is focused on "protecting" her family, especially her children, as she and her estranged husband figure out their future.

Taylor's divorce journey took an unexpected turn when intimate details of her split with Shumpert surfaced publicly this week. Despite filing for divorce in January, private court documents were leaked, leaving the "My Super Sweet 16" star feeling exposed. 

To that end, she decided to take matters into her own hands, clarifying via social media that the statements in the media were not directly from her but extracted from the leaked documents. The "Google Me" hitmaker's lengthy rant partly read:

"I mind my business, don't bother nobody & y'all know I've never played about my children, family & our privacy. I have not spoken on this private matter to any media outlets or blogs etc. So everyone claiming "Teyana said" didn't get any statements directly from ME. These statements were taken from private court documents that were leaked to the public."

Expressing dismay at how things unfolded, she expressed that it was "very heartbreaking" for someone to expose such a private matter to the public eye. Despite that, her kids seem to be a major concern as she wrote:

"Protecting my family is one thing I've ALWAYS done & for my children I will continue to do so. Please if y'all love y'all play nieces Junie & Rue like y'all have shown, please allow myself & my family some privacy to resolve this matter in peace."

Taylor had initially shocked 17.3 million followers in September when she posted a sweet shot of her and Shumpert wearing somewhat coordinated outfits on Instagram, alongside the caption that read:

"Not too much on my best friend! In all fairness, Iman and I are separated and have been for a while. To be 1000% clear, 'infidelity' isn't one reason for our departure. We are still best friends and great business partners, and we are one hell of a team when co-parenting our two beautiful children. Most importantly, we are FAMILY & in the ten years together, seven years married, we ain't ever played with or about THAT."

The "Madea's Big Happy Family" star elaborated on why she kept the news of their separation private, citing that it was not people's business. As far as she was concerned, the decision allowed her and the NBA star to navigate this period of their lives on their own terms.

Even though Taylor and Shumpert first met in 2011, their relationship remained platonic as the "Stomp the Yard: Homecoming" actress was seeing someone else at that time.

They maintained their platonic friendship until it evolved into something more in 2013, making their social media debut as a couple on Shumpert's 24th birthday on June 25, 2014. 

While the mother of two shared a photo of them kissing on the beach with the caption, "Happy Birthday baby.. #ILoveU," her now-ex posted a video of her on his Instagram page. 

Later in the same year, the duo made their red carpet debut at the 2014 BET Hip Hop Awards at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center in Atlanta, according to PEOPLE.

By September 2015, the former professional basketball player and his then-girlfriend announced that they were ready for a family with the impending arrival of their first child together. 

A few months after their pregnancy announcement, Shumpert and Taylor revealed they were engaged during their baby shower at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Cleveland.

However, it was not until a 2016 interview that Taylor, who had already welcomed their daughter in December 2015, disclosed that she and Shumpert had privately exchanged vows.

A few months later, she shared a photo from the wedding, showcasing them in matching red leather jackets with the words "I DO" and "I DO TOO" embellished on the back. 

Their daughter, Junie, was also decked out in a jacket with the words, "OH!... ME TOO." The "Teyana and Iman" stars became second-time parents when they welcomed another baby girl, Rue Rose, in September 2020.

The reality television stars were married for six years before their union hit the rocks in 2023.