Toriah Lachell: Jayson Tatum’s Ex, Mother of Deuce, and Curl Bar Boston Owner

You have probably seen the name Toriah Lachell connected to NBA star Jayson Tatum. But that connection only tells a small part of her story. She is a young woman who became a mother at 17, moved to a new city alone, and built a successful business from scratch. Her journey from high school athlete to salon owner deserves attention on its own terms.

Toriah Lachell is a professional cosmetologist, curly hair specialist, and the owner of The Curl Bar Boston in Massachusetts. She first gained public recognition because of her past relationship with Jayson Tatum, but she has since built a respected career and a strong personal identity. This guide covers everything about her life. Early years. High school romance. Motherhood. Business success. And her quiet life today.

Early Life and Background

Toriah Nicole Lachell was born on February 20 or 21, 2000, in St. Louis, Missouri. She grew up in a supportive home with her mother, Julie Gibbs, and her stepfather, John Gibbs. Toriah shares a close bond with her stepfather and often credits him as a major influence in her life. Her biological father is not publicly known, and she has chosen to keep those details private.

As a child, Toriah was active and competitive. She loved sports and physical activities. Her family taught her strong values, discipline, and the importance of hard work. Those lessons stuck with her and guided her through difficult times later in life.

High School Years and Sports

Toriah attended McCluer North High School in St. Louis. She was well liked among classmates for her friendly nature and strong personality. But her real passion during those years was athletics.

She played varsity soccer all four years of high school. She also played softball for four years. Sports taught her discipline, teamwork, and how to push through challenges. These qualities later helped her balance young motherhood, school, and building a business.

Her high school years were simple. She enjoyed music, hanging out with friends, and staying active. She has described herself as not a girly girl. She preferred sports and casual time over glamour and trends.

Meeting Jayson Tatum

Toriah met Jayson Tatum during their teenage years in Missouri. They attended different high schools. Toriah at McCluer North and Jayson at Chaminade College Prep, an all boys school nearby. But they lived in nearby communities and shared mutual friends.

Their connection grew naturally over time. What started as friendship soon turned into a relationship. They supported each other through school, sports, and teenage life.

Their relationship became more visible in 2015 when Toriah appeared in a Sports Illustrated article wearing her prom dress. At that time, Jayson was becoming one of the top high school basketball recruits in the country. People started paying attention to the young couple.

High School Relationship

Toriah and Jayson began dating around 2014 and stayed together through 2017. They were high school sweethearts. Their relationship was built on shared experiences, simple moments, and mutual support.

Toriah was there during Jayson’s rise in high school basketball. She supported him as he moved to Duke University for college. Their young love reflected closeness and loyalty at a time when both were discovering their individual futures.

But as Jayson’s basketball career accelerated, the couple faced real difficulties. Long distance challenges, strict training schedules, and the attention that came with rising fame created pressure. Public rumors and speculation also made things harder. Both were growing into adults with different responsibilities and paths, which eventually created a natural distance between them.

Pregnancy and the Birth of Deuce

Toriah became pregnant in late 2016 or early 2017. The timing was difficult. Jayson was preparing to enter the NBA and handling the pressures of early stardom. Toriah was still a teenager. Both felt overwhelmed.

At eight months pregnant, Toriah made a courageous decision. She moved from St. Louis to Boston to be closer to Jayson as he began his NBA career with the Boston Celtics. Moving to a new city while heavily pregnant took enormous strength.

She gave birth to their son, Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr., in December 2017. Everyone calls him Deuce. Toriah was only 17 years old at the time. Jayson was 19.

Just two weeks after giving birth, Toriah started cosmetology school in Boston. She wanted to finish her training early and build a stable career for herself and her son. Balancing school, motherhood, and financial pressure at such a young age required immense perseverance.

Breakup and Co-Parenting

After Deuce’s birth, Toriah and Jayson eventually ended their relationship. The breakup came from natural life changes, the stress of Jayson’s demanding NBA schedule, physical distance, and personal growth on both sides. Rumors circulated, but neither confirmed any controversy. They chose to move forward respectfully.

Today, they successfully co parent Deuce with mutual respect and consistent communication. Their focus remains on giving their son a stable and loving life. Both maintain healthy boundaries, allowing Deuce to benefit from support on both sides while avoiding unnecessary media attention.

Deuce spends time with both parents. He is often seen at Celtics games with Jayson. Toriah also shares sweet moments with him on social media, like videos of her doing his hair. Their ability to work together calmly has helped their son grow securely in both households.

Journey Into Natural Hair

Toriah’s passion for natural hair care began with her own struggles. Growing up, she often used relaxers because she did not know how to care for her natural curls. This caused damage and frustration.

A close friend encouraged her to embrace her curls. That conversation changed everything. Toriah started watching YouTube tutorials and experimenting with different routines. She practiced on herself first, then on friends who trusted her skills.

Over time, her results improved dramatically. People around her noticed and started asking for help. Someone once told her that she lights up when she talks about hair. That small comment pushed her to think about hair as a real career.

During her pregnancy, when life felt confusing and uncertain, this passion gave her a clear direction. She knew what she wanted to do.

Cosmetology School and Training

After moving to Boston and giving birth, Toriah enrolled in cosmetology school in 2017. She started classes just two weeks after Deuce was born. Despite the emotional and financial challenges of being a young mother, she stayed committed.

She graduated in 2018. Her training gave her the foundation she needed to begin a professional career.

To further build her expertise, Toriah completed advanced certifications. DevaCurl cutting techniques. Rezo Cut training. Cut It Kinky curl education programs. These specialized methods strengthened her credibility and allowed her to become a trusted curl expert.

The Curl Bar Boston

After graduating, Toriah opened The Curl Bar Boston. The salon is dedicated entirely to natural curls. Her vision was simple. Create a space where clients with curly hair felt understood, supported, and confident.

Boston lacked curl specific salons. Her services became highly sought after almost immediately. The salon stands out for its educational approach, welcoming environment, and focus on curl specific techniques.

Clients appreciate that Toriah teaches them how to care for their curls, not just style them. Every service, cut, and treatment is designed to help curls look healthy and natural. These qualities helped the salon grow quickly and earn a loyal client base.

Her work gained additional attention when comedian Trevor Noah visited the salon for a haircut. He took a picture after getting his hair done, and the moment brought more visibility to her business. It strengthened her reputation in the beauty community.

Entrepreneurial Success

Toriah did not stop at running a salon. She wanted to share her knowledge with others. She created an online curl education program called The Curl Bar Curl Course Case Study.

The course teaches students proper cutting, styling, and curl science techniques. It has helped many aspiring stylists develop their own skills. Toriah believes that learning about your hair is just as important as getting it done.

Her income now comes from multiple sources. Salon services. Online courses. Occasional brand partnerships. This diversification has built long term financial stability. As of 2025, her estimated net worth is around $2 million.

Life as a Mother

Toriah is deeply committed to giving Deuce a private, grounded childhood. She keeps him away from unnecessary publicity. She focuses on providing a peaceful home environment filled with love and routine.

She and Jayson share responsibilities respectfully. They maintain a stable arrangement that supports Deuce’s emotional well being. Their ability to work together calmly has helped their son grow securely.

Toriah often shares small glimpses of their life together, like videos of her doing Deuce’s hair. But she keeps most family moments private. Her son’s well being comes before any public attention.

Social Media Presence

Toriah uses social media mainly to share educational hair tips, client transformations, and salon updates. Her pages highlight professionalism and skill rather than personal lifestyle content.

She has a private personal account and two public work pages. hairbytoriahlachell and thecurlbarboston. She avoids drama, gossip, and oversharing. This careful approach sets her apart from many public figures.

Her online presence reflects her values. Privacy. Peace. Professionalism. She does not chase followers or engagement. She simply shares her work and lets the results speak for themselves.

Current Relationship Status

Since her breakup with Jayson, Toriah has not publicly dated anyone. She focuses on motherhood, personal growth, and building her business.

She maintains a calm and private lifestyle. No drama. No public relationships. No oversharing. She chooses peace over public attention and separates her personal life from online noise.

Fans remain curious about her love life, but Toriah gives them nothing to feed on. That silence is intentional. She has learned that privacy protects peace.

Personality and Values

Toriah is known for being hardworking, humble, consistent, and resilient. These qualities helped her navigate early motherhood and build a respected career at a young age.

Her daily life revolves around beauty education, family time, and continuous self improvement. She enjoys helping others embrace their natural curls and feel confident in their appearance.

She does not chase fame or attention. She never has. Even when public interest in her grew because of Jayson, she stayed focused on her own path. That grounded approach has earned her respect from people who know her story.

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Public Image and Media Interest

People remain interested in Toriah for two reasons. Her past connection to Jayson Tatum. And the rising popularity of their son, Deuce, who often appears at Celtics games with his father.

But Toriah has built her own identity through her business success and quiet strength. She is no longer just someone’s ex girlfriend. She is a successful salon owner, a curl expert, and a devoted mother.

She stays focused on her career and keeps clear boundaries around her private life. Her calm and respectful approach has helped her maintain a positive public image without sacrificing her peace.

Future Plans and Goals

Toriah hopes to grow The Curl Bar Boston. She may open new locations or expand her team to serve more clients. She plans to develop more curl education courses so she can help stylists around the world learn curl specific techniques.

She may also explore creating her own line of hair care products. Shampoos, conditioners, and curl creams designed for different curl types. That would be a natural next step for someone who has built her career on understanding curly hair.

Whatever she does, she will likely do it quietly and effectively. That is who Toriah Lachell is. No flash. No drama. Just hard work and results.

Final Thoughts

Toriah Lachell’s story is not complicated. It is about resilience, focus, and building something meaningful from difficult circumstances. She became a mother at 17. She moved to a new city alone. She built a successful business through skill and determination.

She is more than Jayson Tatum’s ex girlfriend. She is a young entrepreneur, a devoted mother, and a curl specialist who helps people feel confident in their natural hair. Her journey from high school athlete to salon owner shows that starting young does not mean failing. It means starting early and working harder.

Toriah chose peace over attention. Privacy over fame. Hard work over shortcuts. That choice has served her well. Her story will continue to inspire young women who face hard circumstances and wonder if they can build a better life. The answer is yes. Toriah Lachell proved it.