Toriah Lachell If you keep up with the NBA, you have definitely seen the adorable Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr.—affectionately known as Deuce—cheering from the sidelines at Boston Celtics games. But behind every incredible kid is an equally incredible mother. While many people first heard the name Toriah Lachell because of her high school romance with NBA superstar Jayson Tatum, she has carved out a massive name for herself completely independent of the sports world. Toriah Lachell is an accomplished entrepreneur, a highly sought-after hair stylist, and a powerhouse mom who runs a thriving luxury business in the heart of Boston.
Understanding the life of Toriah Lachell requires looking past the standard headlines of sports blogs and digging into what makes her a true modern icon. Born and raised in Missouri, she chose to pivot from a traditional academic route to follow her absolute passion for the beauty industry. Today, Toriah Lachell stands out as a prime example of how to balance high-profile co-parenting with a demanding business career. She is not just a footnote in a basketball player’s career; she is the CEO of her own destiny, changing the game for natural haircare and proving that you can build an empire from scratch while raising a child in the public eye.
To really appreciate her journey, you have to look at how Toriah Lachell systematically built her brand from the ground up while dealing with the massive changes of young motherhood. Moving across the country, starting an intense vocational program, and launching a business before most people finish college is no small feat. Yet, Toriah Lachell managed to pull it off with incredible grace. This deep dive into her life will cover everything from her childhood athletic days to her current status as a top-tier curl specialist in Massachusetts.
Early Life, Education, and the Roots of Toriah Lachell
Long before Toriah Lachell was a household name in the Boston beauty scene, she was a driven teenager growing up in St. Louis, Missouri. Born on February 6, 2000, Toriah Lachell was raised in a supportive household by her mother, Julie Gibbs, and her stepfather, John Gibbs. Growing up in the midwest, she developed a competitive spirit early on, throwing herself into varsity sports at McCluer North High School. She was a standout multi-sport athlete, dominating both the soccer fields and the softball diamonds, and she jokingly referred to herself as the absolute “GOAT” of her high school sports teams.
While sports took up a massive chunk of her childhood, Toriah Lachell possessed a deep, underlying love for aesthetics and hair management. Even though she briefly considered standard college paths like teaching or counseling while preparing for graduation, her true calling kept pulling her back toward cosmetology. She spent years doing her own hair and styling her friends’ hair for events, realizing that standard beauty schools rarely taught proper techniques for natural texture. This gap in the market planted the initial seed for what would later become her professional trademark.
When Toriah Lachell discovered she was pregnant during her late teens, it completely shifted her timeline but sharpened her focus like never before. Instead of giving up on her ambitions, she doubled down on her professional goals. Recognizing that her life was shifting toward New England, she relocated to the Boston area while pregnant. Toriah Lachell officially enrolled in a prestigious Boston cosmetology program, showing up to classes with an unshakeable determination to master her craft. She finished her formal training in 2018, just as her life was transforming on both a personal and professional level.
The High School Romance and Co-Parenting Journey with Jayson Tatum
The connection between Toriah Lachell and Jayson Tatum goes all the way back to their teenage years in Missouri, where they attended school and crossed paths as young athletes. They began officially dating around August 2014, when Tatum was a rising basketball prodigy. As Tatum’s basketball career skyrocketed from high school sensation to a top draft pick for the Boston Celtics, Toriah Lachell remained a constant source of support in his inner circle. Their relationship was highly visible among friends, even being highlighted in local features covering milestone events like high school prom.
In late 2017, during Jayson Tatum’s highly anticipated rookie season with the Boston Celtics, the young couple welcomed their son, Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr. Born on December 6, 2017, “Deuce” instantly became the center of both of their worlds. Although Toriah Lachell and Jayson Tatum decided to end their romantic relationship shortly after Deuce’s birth, they made a mature, ironclad commitment to co-parent effectively. Toriah Lachell made the conscious decision to permanently base her life in Boston to ensure Deuce would grow up with constant, seamless access to his father.
The co-parenting dynamic managed by Toriah Lachell and Jayson Tatum has earned widespread praise across social media and the sports community. Rather than letting the stress of public scrutiny disrupt their family, they established a beautifully cooperative lifestyle. Tatum’s mother even helped arrange nearby living accommodations so that everyone could be present for Deuce without the friction of distance. Toriah Lachell has masterfully protected her son’s well-being while allowing him to share beautiful, viral moments with his dad on the court, making Deuce a certified NBA fan-favorite.
Building a Hair Empire: The Curl Bar Boston by Toriah Lachell
Toriah Lachell didn’t just want to be another stylist working in an established salon; she wanted to create a specialized sanctuary for natural hair. In May 2021, she officially opened the doors to The Curl Bar Boston, a luxury salon dedicated entirely to clients wanting to embrace, treat, and love their natural curls. Toriah Lachell recognized that traditional hair salons often treated curly, coily, and wavy hair as an afterthought. By making texture the primary focus, Toriah Lachell filled a massive void in the Boston luxury beauty landscape, drawing in a dedicated and diverse clientele.
To ensure her business stood at the absolute cutting edge of the beauty industry, Toriah Lachell pursued specialized, advanced training worldwide. She holds elite certifications as a DevaCurl certified stylist, a Cut It Kinky alumna, and a Rezo Cut specialist. She continuously preaches that curly haircare is never a “one size fits all” situation. This dedication to constant education has elevated Toriah Lachell to an expert status, ensuring that every single client who walks into her establishment experiences top-tier, custom-tailored texture management.
The business savvy of Toriah Lachell stretches far beyond standard day-to-day salon services. Recognizing that she could only style so many heads a day, she expanded her brand into the educational space by launching “The Curl Bar Curl Course.” This comprehensive educational case study teaches everyday people how to manage, style, and maintain their natural patterns while on the move. Through her salon and digital courses, Toriah Lachell has built an enduring brand that champions self-love, personal empowerment, and natural beauty.
Quick Facts Table: Inside the Life of Toriah Lachell
| Detail Reference | Fact Sheet Data |
| Full Name | Toriah Lachell Mimms |
| Date of Birth | February 6, 2000 |
| Place of Birth | St. Louis, Missouri |
| Current Residence | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Profession | Professional Hair Stylist, Salon Owner, Entrepreneur |
| Business Name | The Curl Bar Boston |
| Son | Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr. (Deuce) |
| Famous Ex-Partner | Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics Forward) |
| High School | McCluer North High School |
| Specialized Certifications | DevaCurl, Rezo Cut, Cut It Kinky Alumna |
| Niche Specialty | Natural Curly and Texturized Hair Care |
Social Media Influence and the Personal Brand of Toriah Lachell
Beyond the brick-and-mortar walls of her Boston salon, Toriah Lachell has built a vibrant, highly engaging online presence. On her Instagram and TikTok platforms, she provides her followers with an authentic, unfiltered look into her life as a business owner and a single mother. She steers clear of hyper-curated, artificial aesthetics, opting instead to showcase the real struggles of running a salon, the joy of client transformations, and hilarious everyday moments with Deuce. Her realness has earned her a deeply loyal following that values her transparency.
Toriah Lachell frequently uploads video clips featuring her favorite client of all time: her son Deuce. Videos of her giving Deuce the full “Curl Bar Experience” regularly pull in millions of views, capturing the hearts of both basketball fans and hair enthusiasts alike. Her TikTok travel vlogs, showing her exploring tropical destinations like Punta Cana with her close friends and children, demonstrate her commitment to creating a fun, expansive life for her family. She uses her reach to inspire other young women to pursue financial independence.
What makes the online brand of Toriah Lachell so effective is her expert balance of business and lifestyle content. One day she is posting an analytical breakdown of curl pattern recovery, and the next day she is sharing her self-proclaimed addiction to chocolate cake for breakfast. This blend of expert authority and everyday relatability is exactly why Toriah Lachell continues to grow as an influencer. She has successfully leveraged her visibility to drive continuous traffic to her business, keeping her salon fully booked months in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who exactly is Toriah Lachell?
Toriah Lachell is a prominent American entrepreneur, professional hairstylist, and texture specialist based in Boston, Massachusetts. She is the founder and owner of The Curl Bar Boston, a highly successful salon that specializes in natural, curly hair. She is also widely known as the mother of Deuce Tatum, whom she shares with NBA player Jayson Tatum.
How old is Toriah Lachell?
Toriah Lachell was born on February 6, 2000. She is 26 years old and has already accomplished massive business milestones, establishing herself as a leading salon owner and brand creator before hitting her mid-twencies.
Where is Toriah Lachell originally from?
She was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. She spent her formative years there, attending McCluer North High School and participating heavily in varsity sports before eventually relocating to Boston, Massachusetts, to study cosmetology and raise her son.
What is the name of Toriah Lachell’s hair salon?
Her salon is called The Curl Bar Boston. Opened in May 2021, the establishment has grown into a major hotspot in Massachusetts for anyone looking for specialized curly hair cutting, styling, and texture education.
Are Jayson Tatum and Toriah Lachell still together?
No, Jayson Tatum and Toriah Lachell are no longer romantically involved. They split up shortly after the birth of their son in late 2017. However, they remain incredibly close friends and dedicated co-parents, working together seamlessly to raise Deuce in Boston.
What certifications does Toriah Lachell hold in hair styling?
Toriah Lachell takes continuing education incredibly seriously. She is an elite DevaCurl certified stylist, a Rezo Cut certified professional, and an alumna of the advanced Cut It Kinky texture program.
