“It started off as a friendship, which evolved over time into something more.” Carmelo Anthony and La La Anthony had something really organic as a couple. Something so strong that, despite their divorce, kept them so cordial with each other that they have made multiple joint appearances just for their son Kiyan. However, despite a bond that strong, there were certain aspects of her marriage with an NBA star that La La Anthony just couldn’t accept.
To rewind the clock a bit, their story began back in 2003. Carmelo was the new face of the Denver Nuggets, freshly drafted and ready to take the league by storm. Meanwhile, La La had already made a name for herself as a VJ on MTV’s Total Request Live. Their worlds collided thanks to a mutual friend—DJ Clue—and what started off as two people vibing as friends soon turned romantic. By 2004, they were engaged. In 2007, they welcomed their son, Kiyan. And finally, in 2011, the couple made it official and tied the knot. But behind the red carpet photos and game-day appearances, there were some internal battles La La was quietly fighting.
In a recent episode of SoFi, she opened up about what it felt like to be labeled the “first lady of the NBA.” For someone who once played the sport herself in college, you’d think it’d be flattering, right? Turns out, not quite.
“I didn’t really love the term because I knew that I was more than that,” she shared on the podcast. And she proved it. Around the same time she became Carmelo Anthony’s wife, La La was also leveling up professionally—getting into acting, producing, and writing. She didn’t just support his journey; she made sure not to leave her own dreams behind.
As she put it during the episode: “I just didn’t want to be, like, an NBA wife that didn’t, like, gave up my dreams. I had dreams and goals and aspirations before I met this person. So I didn’t want that to go out the window. I wanted to be supportive of his dreams, which I was. Going to games, being there through the ups and downs. But I still wanted to be able to accomplish some of my career goals.”
La La Anthony at the season 2 premiere of “BMF” held at TCL Chinese Theatre on January 5, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)
And if you’ve followed her career, you know she wasn’t just talking—she delivered. Shows like Power and The Chi are just a couple of the major projects that came her way during those years. And even after the marriage ended, her momentum didn’t. Her growth—both personal and financial—never hit pause. And boy, she did quite well. And even the toll of her separation from Carmelo Anthony could not stop her financial growth.
A closer look at La La Anthony’s growth following her divorce from Carmelo Anthony
La La’s life took a turn after her split from Carmelo Anthony, but if you thought that slowed her down, think again. Instead of letting a personal setback define her, La La kept showing up—and not just anywhere, but right where she shines most. From her role in Power to other big and small screen appearances, she stayed rooted in the entertainment world, proving that her momentum was anything but temporary.
But her story doesn’t stop with red carpets and TV sets. Long before headlines buzzed with personal news, La La had already stepped into the business arena. In 2012, she co-launched Motives Cosmetics alongside Loren Ridinger, Amber Ridinger-McLaughlin, and Thalia. The brand was born under the umbrella of Market America, a company Ridinger helped build. Later, she also added a hair care line—Inala to her growing list of ventures.
And then there’s her heart for community. In 2023, the Chi actress joined hands with the candy brand ‘Pause Now, Hustle Later’ to spotlight rising businesses led by people of color. It’s clear—La La Anthony was and has always been more than just a basketball wife.
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