Imagine being just 17 years old, eight months pregnant, packing your bags and moving to a city you barely know — alone. No promise of a relationship. No certainty about the future. Just a heartbeat growing inside you, a stubborn dream burning within, and the raw courage to start over when everything around you is uncertain.
That is the real story of Toriah Lachell, the woman millions of fans search for every time they Google her ex-boyfriend’s name — Jayson Tatum, the Boston Celtics superstar. But here is what those searches often miss: Toriah Lachell is not simply a footnote in someone else’s biography. She is her own headline. She is a certified curly hair specialist, a thriving salon owner, a single mother who raised a child in the public eye while quietly building an empire — and she did it all before most people her age had figured out their first career move.
In this comprehensive biography, we pull back every layer of Toriah Lachell’s life story — from her childhood in St. Louis, Missouri, to her high school romance with an NBA-bound star, to her extraordinary second act as the founder of The Curl Bar Boston. If you have ever wondered who she truly is beyond the tabloid labels of “baby mama” and “ex-girlfriend,” you are about to find out. And trust us — her story is far more remarkable than any headline has given her credit for.
Toriah Lachell — Quick Facts at a Glance
| Full Name | Toriah Nicole Lachell (also known as Toriah Mimms) |
| Date of Birth | February 20/21, 2000 |
| Age (2026) | 25–26 years old |
| Birthplace | St. Louis, Missouri, United States |
| Current Residence | Boston, Massachusetts, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed / African-American |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces / Aquarius |
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) |
| Weight | Approx. 59 kg (130 lbs) |
| Mother | Julie Gibbs |
| Stepfather | John Gibbs |
| Son | Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr. (“Deuce”), born December 6, 2017 |
| Ex-Partner | Jayson Tatum (NBA Star, Boston Celtics) |
| Profession | Certified Hairstylist, Entrepreneur, Salon Owner |
| Business | The Curl Bar Boston |
| Certifications | DevaCurl Certified, Rezo Cut Certified, Cut It Kinky Alumna |
| Estimated Net Worth | $2 Million (2025–2026) |
| Social Media | @hairbytoriahlachell | @thecurlbarboston |
| Relationship Status | Single (as of 2026) |
Early Life: Growing Up in St. Louis, Missouri
A City That Shaped Her
Toriah Nicole Lachell was born on February 20 or 21, 2000 (sources slightly differ), in the vibrant, culturally rich city of St. Louis, Missouri. Growing up in St. Louis gave Toriah a foundation rooted in hustle, community, and resilience — values that would prove essential in everything she did later in life.
She was raised primarily by her mother, Julie Gibbs, and her stepfather, John Gibbs, after her biological father was absent from her upbringing. Details about her biological father remain largely private, a boundary Toriah has consistently respected. Interestingly, she never adopted the Gibbs surname, retaining “Lachell” as a central part of her identity — a quiet declaration of self from an early age.
The Athlete: Soccer, Softball, and Varsity Sports
Long before she was known for her expertise in curls and cosmetology, Toriah Lachell was a multi-sport athlete at McCluer North High School in Florissant, Missouri. She played varsity soccer and varsity softball throughout her high school years, excelling in both. In 2013, she was notably named to the McCluer North soccer roster at position nine — a testament to her athletic seriousness during those formative years.
Her competitive spirit on the field was matched by a deeply personal passion off it: her hair. As a young girl with naturally curly hair, Toriah navigated the complicated journey many Black women know all too well — chemical relaxers, societal pressure to straighten, and the slow, beautiful awakening of learning to love her natural texture. She has candidly shared how this personal journey with her own curls ultimately planted the seeds for her entire career.
The Relationship: Toriah Lachell and Jayson Tatum — High School Sweethearts
How They Met
The story of Toriah Lachell and Jayson Tatum is one that feels equal parts fairy tale and cautionary tale — a genuine teenage love story that intersected with the extraordinary pressures of sudden fame and early parenthood. The two met in St. Louis through overlapping social circles, connected through Chaminade College Preparatory School, the all-boys institution Jayson attended in Creve Coeur, Missouri. Toriah attended McCluer North High School, and the two began dating around 2014–2015, during Jayson’s final years of high school.
Their young romance even had a public debut of sorts — in 2015, a Sports Illustrated story briefly mentioned Toriah when she was showing off her prom dress alongside the soon-to-be NBA star. It was a small moment, but it foreshadowed the very public nature their private lives would eventually take on.
The Pregnancy: A Life-Changing Moment
In early 2017, Toriah Lachell and Jayson Tatum discovered they were expecting a child. Both were just 19 at the time — though Toriah was later reported to have been 17 when she gave birth, depending on which birth date sources use. The timing was seismic. Jayson was on the brink of entering the 2017 NBA Draft, a lifelong dream about to become reality. In a rare moment of raw honesty, Tatum himself admitted in interviews that the news of the pregnancy initially “terrified” him — that he was selfish and more focused on his NBA dream than the reality of becoming a father.
In a breathtaking act of courage, Toriah packed her life into bags at eight months pregnant and moved to Boston, Massachusetts, so that she and their soon-to-be-born son could be near Jayson during his rookie NBA season. She did not know the city. She was barely an adult. And she did it anyway.
The Birth of Deuce: December 6, 2017
On December 6, 2017 — just two months into Jayson Tatum’s rookie year with the Boston Celtics — Toriah Lachell gave birth to their son, Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr., affectionately nicknamed “Deuce.” The birth of Deuce marked both a joyful milestone and the beginning of a new chapter of life as a young, single mother navigating the unusual pressures that come with sharing a child with a rising sports celebrity.
Deuce quickly captured hearts across the NBA world. He became a fixture at Boston Celtics games, sitting courtside, giving high-fives in the locker room, and drawing as much — if not more — attention than his famous father. NBA teammate Marcus Smart once joked: “He’s got everybody changing his diapers and whatever he wants, they’re attentive to him. Whatever Deuce says goes.“ Jayson himself was reportedly stunned by how deeply fans adored his son.
The Breakup: Going Their Separate Ways
Despite the genuine affection the two once shared, Toriah Lachell and Jayson Tatum separated shortly after Deuce was born. The official reasons were never publicly confirmed by either party. Rumors of infidelity circulated online, but neither Toriah nor Jayson ever validated those claims. What is clear is that they were two young people facing enormous life pressures — a new baby, an NBA career under national spotlight, and the natural growing pains of transitioning from teenage romance to adult responsibility.
What followed the breakup, however, speaks volumes about both of their characters: they chose to co-parent with grace. Toriah remained in Boston. Jayson made Deuce a priority. They presented a model of healthy co-parenting that many families, even without the pressures of NBA fame, struggle to achieve.
Career: From Cosmetology School to Curl Queen
The Boldest First Step — Cosmetology School Two Weeks After Giving Birth
In what can only be described as one of the most inspiring decisions in this entire story, Toriah Lachell enrolled in cosmetology school just two weeks after giving birth to Deuce in December 2017. She was a brand-new mother, in a city she had only recently moved to, with a relationship that had ended — and she chose to invest in herself anyway. She completed her one-year cosmetology program in Boston in 2018, a testament to her extraordinary work ethic and determination.
Her professional journey in the hair industry was not arbitrary — it was deeply personal. Having spent years using chemical relaxers on her own naturally curly hair before eventually embracing her natural texture, Toriah understood from lived experience the emotional and physical journey that comes with learning to love curly hair. That personal empathy became her professional superpower.
Professional Certifications That Set Her Apart
Not content with a basic cosmetology license, Toriah Lachell invested heavily in specialized certifications that positioned her as an expert in the growing natural hair and curly hair care market. Her impressive credentials include:
- DevaCurl Certified Stylist— one of the most recognized curly hair methodologies in the world.
- Rezo Cut Certified— a premium curly hair cutting technique developed in New York.
- Cut It Kinky Alumna— specialized training focused on textured and kinky hair types.
These certifications are not just resume line items — they represent Toriah Lachell’s commitment to mastery in her craft, and they reflect the professional standard she holds herself to in serving her clients.
The Curl Bar Boston: Building Her Own Kingdom
In 2021, Toriah Lachell opened her own hair salon in Boston: The Curl Bar Boston. The name itself says everything about her vision — a destination specifically designed to celebrate, educate, and empower people with natural curls. In her own words, she opened the salon because she wanted to “become her own boss, create her own brand, and control her schedule and business.”
The salon quickly gained traction not just because of its quality of service, but because of its philosophy: it is not just about cutting hair; it is about helping clients accept, embrace, and love their natural hair. This mission resonates deeply in today’s natural hair movement, making The Curl Bar Boston a culturally meaningful space as much as a commercial one.
The salon’s clientele is impressively diverse — from everyday Bostonians with curly hair to celebrities. Even renowned comedian and former late-night host Trevor Noah visited The Curl Bar Boston and posed for a photo after getting his hair styled by Toriah herself — a powerful endorsement that speaks to the salon’s growing reputation.
The Curl Bar Curl Course: Educating Beyond the Chair
True to her mission of empowering people to love their curls, Toriah Lachell developed The Curl Bar Curl Course: Case Study — an educational program designed to teach individuals how to properly care for their curly hair at home. This digital education venture represents a significant expansion of her brand beyond the physical salon and opens up new revenue streams while reinforcing her expertise as a curl specialist and educator.
By creating accessible hair education content, Toriah positions herself within the rapidly growing intersection of the natural hair community and digital entrepreneurship — a savvy business move that extends her influence far beyond Boston’s city limits.
Personal Life: Privacy, Strength, and Quiet Confidence
Single and Focused
As of 2026, Toriah Lachell remains single. Since her breakup with Jayson Tatum, she has maintained a remarkably private personal life, sharing nothing publicly about romantic relationships. Rather than filling that space with dating drama or social media theatrics, she has filled it with business growth, quality time with Deuce, and professional development. In a digital age defined by oversharing, her discretion is genuinely refreshing.
Co-Parenting: Putting Deuce First
The cornerstone of Toriah Lachell’s personal life is her son, Deuce Tatum. She and Jayson share custody of Deuce and have maintained a respectful, child-first co-parenting relationship that has become almost as admired as Jayson’s basketball career. Deuce attends Celtics games regularly, sits courtside with his grandmother, and has become something of a celebrity in his own right within the NBA community.
Toriah is widely described as a devoted and grounded mother who works hard to give Deuce stability and normalcy despite the extraordinary circumstances of having a globally famous father. She has been vocal about valuing routine, peace, and a private family life — a stark contrast to the celebrity world that swirls around Deuce’s father.
Social Media: Strategic, Not Performative
Unlike many people connected to celebrities who leverage that connection for social media fame, Toriah Lachell uses her online platforms strategically and professionally. She maintains three accounts: a private personal account, @hairbytoriahlachell (showcasing her hairstyling work), and @thecurlbarboston (the official salon page). Her content focuses on hair transformations, curl education, and salon updates — not drama, celebrity association, or personal exposure.
This approach — small following, high-quality content, clear professional focus — is a masterclass in personal brand integrity. She is described by those who know her as a natural introvert who can switch into extrovert mode when her profession demands it, a duality that serves her beautifully as a stylist who builds genuine relationships with her clients.
Toriah Lachell Net Worth 2025–2026
Despite never seeking the spotlight on her own, Toriah Lachell has built genuinely impressive financial independence. As of 2025–2026, her estimated net worth sits at approximately $2 million — a figure derived from multiple revenue streams she has built entirely through her own effort:
- The Curl Bar Boston — her primary business, serving a diverse clientele including celebrities
- The Curl Bar Curl Course — online education revenue from her signature curl care program
- Private client services — celebrity and high-profile clientele bookings
- Brand collaborations — selective partnerships aligned with her natural hair mission
By comparison, her ex-partner Jayson Tatum has an estimated net worth ranging from $25 to $88.5 million and signed a landmark 5-year, $195.6 million contract extension with the Celtics in 2020. While Toriah’s wealth is on a different scale, what makes her $2 million net worth remarkable is that she built it entirely herself — on talent, hard work, and entrepreneurial vision, with no inherited wealth or celebrity platform to lean on.
Toriah Lachell and the Natural Hair Movement
To fully appreciate what Toriah Lachell has built, one must understand the cultural moment she operates within. The natural hair movement — a growing celebration of textured, coily, curly, and kinky hair among Black women and women of color — has transformed the beauty industry over the past decade. Consumers are increasingly rejecting chemical straighteners in favor of embracing their natural textures, and the demand for curly hair specialists with genuine expertise has never been higher.
Toriah entered this market not as an outsider trying to capitalize on a trend, but as someone with authentic lived experience at the center of it. She is a Black woman who spent years chemically straightening her hair, discovered her natural curls, learned to love them, built expertise around them, and now helps others do the same. That authenticity — that experience, expertise, authority, and trustworthiness — is precisely what makes her brand resonate so deeply with her community.
Frequently Asked Questions About Toriah Lachell
Who is Toriah Lachell?
Toriah Lachell is a certified professional hairstylist, entrepreneur, and salon owner based in Boston, Massachusetts. She is also the mother of Deuce Tatum (Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr.) and the ex-girlfriend of NBA star Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics.
How old is Toriah Lachell?
As of 2026, Toriah Lachell is 25–26 years old. She was born on February 20 or 21, 2000, in St. Louis, Missouri.
What does Toriah Lachell do for a living?
She is the owner and lead stylist of The Curl Bar Boston, a natural hair salon specializing in curly hair care. She also runs The Curl Bar Curl Course, an online education platform for curl care at home.
Are Toriah Lachell and Jayson Tatum still together?
No. Toriah Lachell and Jayson Tatum separated shortly after the birth of their son, Deuce, in 2017. They were never married. They maintain a healthy co-parenting relationship focused on their son’s wellbeing.
Who is Deuce Tatum?
Deuce Tatum (full name: Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr.) was born on December 6, 2017. He is the son of Toriah Lachell and NBA star Jayson Tatum. He is widely beloved by NBA fans for his courtside appearances at Boston Celtics games.
What is Toriah Lachell’s net worth?
As of 2025–2026, Toriah Lachell’s estimated net worth is approximately $2 million, earned through her salon business, online curl courses, and client services.
What salon does Toriah Lachell own?
She owns and operates The Curl Bar Boston, a curly hair salon in Boston, Massachusetts, that she founded in 2021.
Is Toriah Lachell dating anyone?
As of 2026, Toriah Lachell is reported to be single. She keeps her personal life very private and focuses on her son and her business.
What are Toriah Lachell’s hair certifications?
Toriah holds three key certifications: DevaCurl Certified Stylist, Rezo Cut Certified, and Cut It Kinky Alumna, all of which are industry-respected credentials in curly and textured hair care.
Legacy: What Toriah Lachell’s Story Teaches Us
In a culture obsessed with celebrity relationships and viral moments, Toriah Lachell’s story offers something far more valuable: a blueprint for resilience, self-reinvention, and quiet excellence. She became a mother at 17 in a city she barely knew. She enrolled in cosmetology school two weeks after giving birth. She built a business from scratch. She raised a child in the public eye. She did all of it without losing her dignity, her privacy, or her identity.
What makes Toriah Lachell genuinely inspiring is not what happened to her — it is what she chose to do with what happened to her. The same city, the same circumstances, the same pressures — and she chose to build, not break. She chose to educate, not perform. She chose to grow, not shrink.
The Toriah Lachell who exists today — a certified curl specialist, a salon owner, a curl educator, a devoted mother, and a self-made entrepreneur — is proof that the most powerful biographies are not always written by those who sought the spotlight. Sometimes, the most extraordinary stories belong to those who chose to build something real, quietly, and on their own terms.
Conclusion
Whether you arrived here searching for Toriah Lachell’s age, Toriah Lachell’s net worth, Toriah Lachell’s salon, or simply the full picture of who she really is — we hope this comprehensive biography has answered every question and challenged every assumption. She is not just Jayson Tatum’s baby mama or Jayson Tatum’s ex-girlfriend. She is Toriah Lachell: a woman who turned one of the hardest seasons of her life into the foundation of something extraordinary.
As The Curl Bar Boston continues to grow, as Deuce Tatum grows up in the beautiful light of two committed parents, and as Toriah’s natural hair education platform reaches more people across the country, one thing is certain: the most interesting chapter of Toriah Lachell’s story is still being written.
