Toriah Lachell: The Untold Truth About Her Real Life

 Toriah Lachell is an American cosmetologist, curly-hair specialist, and the founder of The Curl Bar Boston. She became publicly known through her past relationship with an NBA star. Jayson Tatum and the mother of their son, Deuce Tatum. Beyond that connection, she has built an independent career in the beauty industry entirely on her own terms.

Many people search for her name, expecting a celebrity story. What they find instead is something more grounded — a young woman who became a mother at 17, moved to a new city alone, earned her cosmetology license weeks after giving birth, and eventually opened one of Boston’s most respected curl-focused salons.

Who Is Toriah Lachell?

Toriah Nicole Lachell was born in February 2000 in St. Louis, Missouri. She is 26 years old as of 2026 and currently lives in Boston, Massachusetts. Her ethnicity is mixed, and she identifies as American.

She is not a reality TV star or social media influencer in the traditional sense. Her public presence is quiet and focused almost entirely on her work as a curl specialist and salon owner. She keeps her personal life separate from her professional one, which is a deliberate and consistent choice.

What sets her apart is that she turned a personal struggle with her own natural hair into a full professional identity. She did not inherit the business or stumble into it — she trained for it, earned certifications, and built a loyal client base through consistent results.

Toriah Lachell Quick Bio (Profile Summary Table)

Toriah Lachell’s Early Life and Background

Childhood and Family

Toriah grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, raised primarily by her mother, Julie Gibbs, and her stepfather, John Gibbs. She was close to both parents, and her stepfather played a significant role in shaping her confidence and values. She has never publicly discussed her biological father, a boundary she has maintained consistently.

Her upbringing was stable but ordinary — far from anything celebrity-adjacent. She was active, competitive, and driven from a young age. Discipline and resilience were part of her personality well before she became known to the public.

Education and High School Years

She attended McCluer North High School in St. Louis, where she played varsity soccer and softball for four consecutive years. These were not casual hobbies. Committing to two sports across all four years of high school signals real dedication and time management — qualities that later carried into her business.

Her coaches, teachers, and family all reinforced a strong work ethic during these years. She was not someone chasing fame or attention. She focused on academics, sports, and friendships, building a personal foundation that later helped her handle some genuinely difficult life transitions.

Toriah Lachell and Jayson Tatum’s Relationship

How They First Met

Toriah and Jayson Tatum crossed paths as teenagers in Missouri. She attended McCluer North High School while Jayson studied at Chaminade College Prep — different schools, but the same community. They shared mutual friends and social circles, and their friendship developed naturally from there.

Their connection became more visible in 2015 when Toriah appeared in a Sports Illustrated feature wearing her prom dress, alongside Jayson, who was already being tracked as one of the top high school basketball recruits in the country. At that point, both were teenagers with no idea how dramatically their lives were about to change.

High School Romance and Challenges

They dated from around 2014 through 2017. It was a genuine relationship built during a formative period for both of them. As Jayson moved to Duke University and then entered the 2017 NBA Draft, the dynamic shifted. Long-distance strain, demanding training schedules, the weight of public attention, and the pressures of growing up in completely different worlds put real stress on the relationship.

Rumors circulated at various points, but neither confirmed anything publicly. The relationship ended quietly. There was no public drama, no social media war — just two young people who had outgrown what they once shared.

Who Is Jayson Tatum?

Jayson Tatum was born on March 3, 1998, in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended Chaminade College Prep before playing one season at Duke University. The Boston Celtics selected him third overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, and he has remained with the organization throughout his career.

He has earned multiple NBA All-Star selections and is widely regarded as one of the premier scorers in the league. Beyond basketball, he is also recognized as a devoted father to Deuce Tatum Jr., who regularly appears courtside at Celtics games.

Pregnancy, Motherhood, and Co-Parenting

Pregnancy and Birth of Deuce Tatum

Toriah became pregnant in late 2016 or early 2017, during a period of enormous transition for both her and Jayson. She was a teenager. He was preparing for the NBA. Neither was in an easy position.

At eight months pregnant, she made the decision to relocate from St. Louis to Boston so that her child could grow up near his father. That is not a small thing — moving to an unfamiliar city, alone, heavily pregnant, at 17 years old. Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr., known as Deuce, was born in December 2017.

Two weeks after giving birth, Toriah enrolled in cosmetology school. That detail often surprises people. It also says everything about who she is.

Toriah Lachell as a Mother

Raising Deuce has been her central priority since his birth. She keeps his life private, limits his media exposure, and focuses on creating a stable, loving home environment. Co-parenting with a high-profile NBA player comes with unique pressures, but by all accounts, she and Jayson have managed it respectfully.

Their arrangement reflects a shared focus on their son’s emotional well-being rather than personal conflict. Deuce grows up supported across both households, grounded despite his father’s fame.

Who Is Deuce Tatum?

Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr. — Deuce — has become one of the most recognized children in professional basketball. He regularly appears courtside at Boston Celtics games, often interacting with players, coaches, and fans. He was practically raised in that arena.

Off the court, he lives a quieter life shaped largely by his mother. The confidence and warmth he displays in public reflects both parents — the spotlight comfort of his father’s world and the grounded stability of his mother’s household.

Breakup of Toriah Lachell and Jayson Tatum

The split happened gradually rather than all at once. By 2016 or 2017, the relationship had reached a natural endpoint driven by distance, lifestyle differences, and the intense pressure of Jayson’s NBA career. Public rumors surfaced but were never confirmed by either party.

What followed the breakup matters more than the breakup itself. Both chose co-parenting over conflict. They maintained communication, respected boundaries, and kept Deuce out of any public narrative about their personal lives. That level of maturity — from two people barely into adulthood — is worth noting.

Toriah Lachell’s Journey Into Natural Hair and Career

How She Found Her Passion for Hair

For much of her youth, Toriah used relaxers on her hair because she did not know how to manage her natural curls. The damage that followed pushed her to find a better approach. A close friend encouraged her to try embracing her natural texture, and that shift changed everything.

She started with YouTube tutorials, tested different products, and practiced on friends willing to trust her. Her results improved steadily. Word spread. People began asking for her help, and she realized this was not just a hobby.

Cosmetology Training and Certifications

After moving to Boston and giving birth to Deuce, she enrolled in cosmetology school in 2017 and graduated in 2018. From there, she pursued advanced training, earning certifications in:

• DevaCurl — focused on curl-specific cutting and styling techniques
• Rezo Cut — a dry-cutting method designed for curly and wavy textures
• Cut It Kinky — specialized training for tighter curl patterns and coily textures

Each certification added a layer of technical depth to her skill set. Clients were not just getting a haircut — they were getting someone trained specifically in their hair type.

Building The Curl Bar Boston

The Curl Bar Boston opened as a dedicated natural curl salon in a city that had very few curl-focused spaces. Toriah built it around education as much as service. Clients leave knowing how to wash, dry, and maintain their curls at home — not just how they look walking out the door.

The salon earned visibility when comedian Trevor Noah visited for a haircut, drawing wider attention to her work. That kind of organic endorsement — earned, not paid — reflects the quality and reputation she built through consistent results and genuine care.

Toriah Lachell’s Entrepreneurial Success and Business Expansion

The Curl Bar Boston is the foundation, but Toriah’s business model extends beyond the salon chair. She developed an online curl-education program that teaches aspiring stylists cutting, styling, and curl-science techniques. This helped her diversify her income and expand her reach beyond Boston.

Her revenue streams include:

• In-salon services
• Online educational courses
• Curl-science training programs
• Selective brand partnerships

Word-of-mouth has been the primary growth driver. Her booking system runs consistently full, and client loyalty is high. Looking forward, she has expressed interest in opening additional locations, expanding her online curriculum, and potentially launching her own line of hair-care products — shampoos, conditioners, and curl creams designed for different curl types.

Toriah Lachell’s Social Media and Public Image

Her Instagram presence splits across two accounts: @hairbytoriahlachell for her personal work and @thecurlbarboston for the salon. Neither account blends into personal lifestyle content. Both are focused almost entirely on client transformations, hair education, and salon updates.

This approach has attracted a following that includes celebrities — Trevor Noah being the most publicly noted. Her restraint online mirrors her real-life personality. She does not chase attention, and that consistency has actually strengthened her public image rather than weakened it. People trust her because she stays in her lane.

Toriah Lachell Net Worth and Income Sources

Her estimated net worth sits around $2 million as of 2026. This figure was built without fame, without inherited wealth, and without leveraging her connection to Jayson Tatum commercially. It came from technical skill, business planning, and consistent client demand over several years.

Toriah Lachell’s Personal Life and Relationship Status Today

Since her split from Jayson Tatum, Toriah has not publicly dated anyone. She describes herself as an introvert, and her lifestyle reflects that — focused on family, work, and personal growth rather than public visibility.

She lives in Boston, runs her salon, raises Deuce, and stays largely out of media conversations. That is not passivity — it is a clear and deliberate choice. Her life today is quiet by design, and by most measures, it is working well.

Conclusion

Toriah Lachell’s story is not defined by her past relationship with Jayson Tatum. It is defined by what she built after it. She became a mother at 17, enrolled in cosmetology school two weeks postpartum, earned advanced certifications, and opened a successful salon in one of America’s most competitive cities.

The Curl Bar Boston is not a side project — it is a legitimate business with a loyal client base, an educational arm, and a growing reputation in the natural hair and beauty industry. Her resilience, privacy, and independence have shaped both her personal identity and her professional one.

She is not trying to be a celebrity. She is building something real.

FAQs

Who is Toriah Lachell?

Toriah Lachell is an American cosmetologist, curly-hair specialist, and founder of The Curl Bar Boston. She is also the mother of Jayson Tatum Jr. (Deuce) and was previously in a relationship with NBA player Jayson Tatum.

How old is Toriah Lachell, and when is her birthday?

She was born on February 20, 2000, making her 26 years old in 2026. She grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and her zodiac sign is Pisces.

What is The Curl Bar Boston?

The Curl Bar Boston is a salon founded by Toriah that specializes exclusively in natural curl care. It offers curl-specific cuts, treatments, and client education. It is based in Boston and is known for its welcoming, educational approach.

How did Toriah Lachell become a curly-hair specialist?

She started by addressing damage caused by years of using relaxers on her own hair. After discovering natural hair care through YouTube and personal practice, she enrolled in cosmetology school and earned certifications in DevaCurl, Rezo Cut, and Cut It Kinky.

What is Toriah Lachell’s net worth?

Her estimated net worth is approximately $2 million as of 2026. Her income comes from The Curl Bar Boston, online curl-education courses, and brand partnerships — not from her connection to Jayson Tatum.

Are Toriah Lachell and Jayson Tatum still together?

No. Their relationship ended around 2016 or 2017. They separated due to distance, lifestyle differences, and the pressures of Jayson’s NBA career. Both continue to co-parent Deuce respectfully.

Does Toriah Lachell have Instagram?

Yes. She runs two professional accounts: @hairbytoriahlachell for her personal styling work and @thecurlbarboston for the salon. Both focus on professional content rather than personal lifestyle updates.

What are Toriah Lachell’s future career plans?

She aims to expand The Curl Bar Boston, potentially opening new locations. She also plans to grow her online curl-education curriculum and may launch her own hair-care product line, including shampoos, conditioners, and curl creams for different curl types.