Toriah Lachell: Jayson Tatum’s Ex-Girlfriend, Hairstylist & Founder of The Curl Bar Boston — Biography (2026)

Who Is Toriah Lachell?

Toriah Lachell is an American entrepreneur and certified hairstylist who has built her own name in the beauty industry — though most people first heard of her through her relationship with Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, she is the mother of Tatum’s eldest son, Jayson “Deuce” Christopher Tatum Jr., and the founder of The Curl Bar Boston, a salon specializing in natural, curly hair.

What sets her story apart is how deliberately she has kept her professional identity separate from her personal history. While headlines still introduce her as “Tatum’s ex,” she has spent years building a business that books clients months in advance — entirely on the strength of her craft.

Toriah Lachell — Quick Bio

Full name	Toriah Lachell Mimms (professionally: Toriah Mimms)
Date of birth	February 21, 2000 (reported)
Place of birth	St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Current residence	Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Nationality	American
Parents	Julie Gibbs (mother), John Gibbs (stepfather)
Profession	Entrepreneur, master curl specialist
Business	The Curl Bar Boston (founder)
Certifications	DevaCurl certified, Rezo Cut certified, Cut It Kinky alumna
Ex-partner	Jayson Tatum (NBA, Boston Celtics)
Children	Jayson “Deuce” Christopher Tatum Jr. (b. Dec 6, 2017)

Early Life and Family in St. Louis

Toriah Lachell was born in February 2000 in St. Louis, Missouri, and spent her childhood in the Midwest. She was raised primarily by her mother, Julie Gibbs, alongside her stepfather, John Gibbs, who played a supportive role throughout her formative years. Her family background was modest and grounded — an upbringing she has credited with shaping her work ethic and drive.

High School Years and Athletics

Toriah attended McCluer North High School in Florissant, Missouri, where she was a multi-sport student-athlete. She played varsity soccer and spent four years on the softball team, rising from junior varsity to the varsity squad. The discipline and teamwork she learned on the field would later translate directly into running her own business.

Alongside athletics, she developed a growing fascination with hair care — experimenting with natural textures and learning how to care for different curl patterns in her spare time. By graduation, her interest in cosmetology had become a clear career direction.

Relationship with Jayson Tatum

Toriah met Jayson Tatum in high school — she at McCluer North, he at nearby Chaminade College Preparatory School, where he was already a nationally ranked basketball recruit. The two began dating around 2014, bonding over their shared athletic lives and overlapping friend circles in St. Louis.

Tatum went on to play one season at Duke University before the Boston Celtics selected him 3rd overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. As his career exploded onto the national stage, the teenage couple navigated the leap from Midwestern high school life to the spotlight of professional basketball together — until the pressures of young adulthood and distance pulled them in different directions.

Motherhood: Welcoming Son Deuce

On December 6, 2017, Toriah gave birth to her son, Jayson “Deuce” Christopher Tatum Jr. — just two months into Tatum’s rookie NBA season. She was 17; Tatum was 19. Becoming a mother at such a young age transformed her priorities overnight, shifting her focus to stability, financial independence, and professional development.

Deuce quickly became a fan favorite among Celtics supporters, often seen courtside at games. Behind the cameras, Toriah worked to give him a structured, grounded childhood — largely away from media attention — while both parents remained actively involved in his life.

One correction worth making: although some headlines still call her Tatum’s “ex-wife,” the two were never married — they dated as teenagers and separated shortly after Deuce’s birth.

Cosmetology Training and Certifications

After high school, Toriah moved to Massachusetts to train formally in beauty and hair care, completing a cosmetology program in Boston in 2018. Rather than general beauty work, she chose to specialize in natural, textured, and curly hair — a field that demands specialized techniques and real expertise.

She went on to earn multiple advanced credentials:

• DevaCurl certified stylist — certification in one of the world’s leading curl-care systems
• Rezo Cut certified — mastery of the Rezo dry-cutting method for volume and shape
• Cut It Kinky alumna — advanced training through the respected curl-education platform

These certifications, combined with hands-on experience, let her build a loyal client base across the New England region — long before her name trended for anything else.

Founding The Curl Bar Boston

In 2021, Toriah channeled her expertise into founding The Curl Bar Boston, her own salon dedicated to natural curls and textured hair. The salon offers customized dry cutting, hydration and detox treatments, Rezo cut transformations, and one-on-one education so clients can maintain their curls at home.

The business quickly earned a reputation as one of Boston’s go-to destinations for curl care — reportedly booking appointments months in advance. Her salon’s Instagram showcases client transformations and hair-care education, reflecting a digital strategy built on authenticity and expertise rather than personal gossip.

Co-Parenting with Jayson Tatum

One of the most consistently praised aspects of Toriah’s life is her co-parenting relationship with Tatum. Rather than the public fallout that often follows high-profile breakups, the two have maintained what both sides and outside reporting describe as an amicable, collaborative arrangement — sharing joint custody with schedules built around Deuce’s schooling and Tatum’s NBA travel.

Deuce is a regular, highly visible presence at Celtics games and practices, while his home life in Boston stays grounded and routine with his mother. Toriah has earned wide respect from fans and commentators for putting her son’s well-being above personal history.

Net Worth and Lifestyle

Toriah’s exact net worth is not publicly confirmed. Online estimates vary widely — from roughly $200,000 to $2 million — so any single figure should be treated with caution. What is clear is that her primary income comes from her own work: salon operations, specialized styling services, and master classes at The Curl Bar Boston.

She lives in Boston, close to Deuce and his father, and keeps her personal life notably private — her public presence is almost entirely professional, centered on her business and her advocacy for natural hair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Toriah Lachell?
An American entrepreneur and master curl specialist from St. Louis, Missouri — founder of The Curl Bar Boston, ex-girlfriend of NBA star Jayson Tatum, and mother of his son Deuce.

How old is Toriah Lachell?
She was born in February 2000, making her 26 in 2026.

Was Toriah Lachell married to Jayson Tatum?
No. They dated in high school and separated shortly after their son’s birth; they were never married, despite the “ex-wife” label in some headlines.

When was Deuce Tatum born?
Jayson “Deuce” Christopher Tatum Jr. was born on December 6, 2017, during Jayson Tatum’s rookie season with the Boston Celtics.

What is The Curl Bar Boston?
A curly-hair salon in Boston, Massachusetts, founded by Toriah Lachell in 2021, specializing in natural and textured hair care, dry cutting, and curl education.

Are Toriah Lachell and Jayson Tatum still together?
No, but they maintain an amicable co-parenting relationship and share custody of their son.

What is Toriah Lachell’s ethnicity?
She is an American national. Most biographical profiles list her as African-American; some describe her as mixed/multiracial. Her background has not been officially confirmed by Toriah herself.