Kanye West's “Monster” / One Model Talks about the Video

aaaaand Nicki Minaaaj

 Taylor Warren appearance as a beheaded model-slash-vampire killer in Kanye West's newest video for "Monster," which also features Jay-Z and Nicki Minaj. 

The clip, which features the rap stars chillin' with dead models, has faced a bit of controversy for its sexualization of corpses in lingerie.
 Taylor, who insists that not only is Kanye NOT a necropheliac, he's incredibly respectful, and the video shoot was an entirely positive – and at times humorous – experience. Check out the gruesome video below, and read on for all of the dirty details about the "Monster" video – including the fashion inspiration behind it, and how Taylor got decapitated.

How did you get the gig?

I had been called in for an audition for a Kodak commercial with Rihanna, which was being shot by a famous music video director. I didn’t end up getting that, but he referred me. I didn’t go on a specific casting call, the Monster director just trusted his judgment.

Did the crew give you any idea of the story behind the video?

I got really excited when I first saw the storyboard – there were references to Guy Bourdin and Steven Klein so I knew that the director wanted it to be fashion-y. The finished product was supposed to be like a moving editorial. I was a little worried about what part I would be playing in a hip-hop music video, but it made total sense once I saw the storyboard.

How many models were on set with you?

On the first day there were five girls, and we were all really different looking. We were also kind of confused – none of us looked like we’d been in a rap video before!

So what happened when you arrived on set?

We got to this huge empty house in Yonkers and the director, Jake Nava, lined us up against the wall like a firing squad. He did Beyoncé’s video for Single Ladies, so I knew I was in good hands – and I was totally willing to put myself out there for a choreographed dance number! He came up to me and said, “you’ll be the headless woman,” and the next girl, “you’ll be a cadaver.” It was pretty awesome.

How did they style you for the shoot?

I was very lucky that the stylist and the director took a liking to me, and they gave me a very stylish outfit – I look sexy and not terrifying, which is obviously how I want to see myself! I had on a long, sassy black dress. In the house there was a huge indoor pool that was ten feet deep, so I had to drag a poor, shirtless guy down the length of the pool. I was playing a vampire killer, and I had to stab the guy in his heart with my shoe – totally normal­. I was pleasantly surprised by the wardrobe, it was lot of vintage and lingerie, nothing vulgar or weird. It was really pretty.

stylecaster.com

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