Teyana Taylor is standing ten toes down in her truth — she’s a proud lover girl and she’s not letting anybody shame her for it. A year after finalizing her divorce from Iman Shumpert, the singer, actress, and creative force has moved forward with a renewed sense of self, a flourishing career, and a new romance with actor Aaron Pierre. And through it all, her heart hasn’t hardened. 

In a new Marie Claire feature, Taylor opened up about embracing her romantic side without apology. “I’ve noticed that people who will make fun of lovers are people who don’t have the ability to love at the full capacity, and they’re jealous of that,” she said. Instead of letting heartbreak make her bitter, she’s choosing softness and intention. “Like, I’m going to take my time. And I’m gonna properly love and I’m gonna be a lover girl and I’m gonna be a simp, whatever comes with that. I love to love.”

For Taylor, being a lover girl has nothing to do with weakness and everything to do with emotional intelligence. “I am a soldier of love. I am a love warrior. I am a lover girl and I love everything about it, and I’m okay with that. One thing nobody could ever take away from me is the love that I give,” she continued.

Her message doubles as advice for her fans, especially women who may feel pressured to hide their softness. “Don’t be ashamed of being a lover girl,” Taylor urged. “I think lovers are the most emotionally intelligent.”