She subsequently won a Fresh Faces contest in New York City and a $500,000 modeling contract.

In 1992, Taylor became the first spokesmodel younger than 18 to sign a major contract with CoverGirl, and she became a feature in their national advertising campaign.

Taylor remains the only person to simultaneously have six billboards in NYC's Times Square, three of those displayed her image continuously throughout the entire year.

[2] In May 1996, Taylor appeared on the covers of the six major American women's fashion and fitness magazines in the same month: Allure, Vogue, ELLE, Marie Claire, Self, and Shape.

Taylor and male model Tyson Beckford co-hosted the new Bravo series Make Me a Supermodel.

In the first task, Taylor was considered the star performer by her team, and was rewarded $35,000 for her charity (American Red Cross) because of her efforts.

[19] Taylor lives with her husband, daughter, and sons in a French colonial house on 7 acres (28,000 m2) in Brentwood, Tennessee.

The driver, her then-boyfriend Chad Renegar, was attempting to answer his cell phone when he lost control of the car and smashed into a utility pole.

However, she suffered severe internal injuries, including a collapsed lung and serious liver damage; two steel rods had to be implanted in her back holding her spine together.

She was treated at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta; she had approximately 56 operations and substantial physical therapy.