Teyana Taylor Calls 'One Battle After Another' Co-Star Leonardo DiCaprio 'Pops'

Teyana Taylor and Leonardo DiCaprio may share the screen in Paul Thomas Andersons latest film, but a lighthearted backstage exchange at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards revealed just how naturally their on-set bond carried into real life.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Teyana Taylor shared a playful backstage moment at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, where both were nominated for their performances in "One Battle After Another."

The interaction quickly stood out, not because of awards talk, but because of an affectionate nickname Taylor uses for her co-star: "Pops." The name stems from their on-screen roles in Paul Thomas Anderson's film, where Taylor plays Perfidia and DiCaprio portrays Pat.

The two characters share a daughter, Willa, played by Chase Infiniti, and their relationship anchors much of the film's emotional weight.

How Teyana Taylor prepared for Perfidia

Taylor, 35, spoke candidly about her preparation process while attending the Jan. 4 ceremony. In an exclusive interview with Daryn Carp of E! News, she explained that building Perfidia required deep conversations and careful character layering.

"Preparing for Perfidia was a lot of conversation with P, good conversation, you know?" Taylor said. "Really building those layers and color-coordinating those layers and making sure we set it up for Perfidia to fall back for baby girl Willa to rise and take on these battles along with Pops right here."

Her comments highlighted how Perfidia's arc was intentionally shaped to make room for her daughter's growth, positioning Willa as a rising force within the story.

Taylor emphasized that the character choices were deliberate, emotional, and closely tied to the film's themes of endurance and generational strength.

Leonardo DiCaprio's reaction to being called "Pops"

When asked how he felt about the nickname, DiCaprio, 51, embraced it without hesitation. Despite not having children himself, the Oscar winner appeared genuinely amused by the title.

"Love it," DiCaprio said. "Love it. Whatever she wants to call me."

A long-awaited collaboration with Paul Thomas Anderson

DiCaprio also reflected on working with Paul Thomas Anderson, calling the experience a long time coming in his career.

"It's been a 25-year journey to get to work with this great visionary director and we all kinda just followed his lead," DiCaprio shared. "He's been developing this story for over 20 years, and it shows up on screen, the detail, the complexity of the characters, and it's so pertinent to the world we live in."

He added that the filmmaking process felt deeply collaborative rather than hierarchical. "We're all just a team and so excited to get to collaborate," he said. "It was a real collaboration, this film. It really was."

DiCaprio also revealed that he nearly missed the Critics Choice Awards altogether after being delayed in St. Barts, where he had been celebrating New Year's.

A winning Night for "One Battle After Another"

The ceremony marked a major success for "One Battle After Another," which won Best Picture. Paul Thomas Anderson also took home awards for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, reinforcing the film's critical acclaim.

While "Frankenstein" and "Sinners" led the film categories with four wins each, Anderson's project stood out for its storytelling ambition and character-driven focus.

For Teyana Taylor and Leonardo DiCaprio, the night blended celebration with sincerity, offering audiences a rare look at the camaraderie behind one of the year's most talked-about films.