La La Anthony has been a fixture in entertainment and pop culture for over two decades, but many people still know her best as Carmelo Anthony’s ex-wife. The truth is, she’s a multi-talented media personality who rose to fame on MTV’s Total Request Live and later starred in hit shows like Power and films like Think Like a Man. Born Alani Nicole Vazquez in Brooklyn, she is of Puerto Rican and African-American descent (Wikipedia).
Ethnicity: Puerto Rican & African-American ·
Born: June 25, 1982 ·
Relationship to Carmelo Anthony: Ex-wife; divorced in 2021 ·
Children: One son, Kiyan (b. March 7, 2007) ·
Known for: MTV’s Total Request Live, Power, Think Like a Man
Quick snapshot
- Ex-husband: Carmelo Anthony (Sportskeeda)
- Son: Kiyan Carmelo Anthony (EssentiallySports)
- Divorce finalized in 2021; co-parenting continues (Pro Football Network)
- Ethnicity: Puerto Rican & African-American (Wikipedia)
- Born: June 25, 1982 (Wikipedia)
- Height: about 5 ft 2 in (Wikipedia)
Seven key facts, one pattern: La La’s identity is defined by her Brooklyn roots, her Puerto Rican and African-American heritage, and her long public relationship with a basketball icon.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Alani Nicole Anthony (née Vazquez) (Wikipedia) |
| Born | June 25, 1982, Brooklyn, New York, USA (Wikipedia) |
| Ethnicity | Puerto Rican and African-American (Wikipedia) |
| Height | 5 ft 2 in (1.57 m) (reported) (Wikipedia) |
| Children | 1 son — Kiyan Carmelo Anthony (EssentiallySports) |
| Ex-husband | Carmelo Anthony (m. 2010; div. 2021) (Sportskeeda) |
| Notable roles | Total Request Live, Think Like a Man, Power, Unforgettable (IMDb) |
What ethnicity is Lala Anthony?
La La Anthony (born Alani Nicole Vazquez) is of Puerto Rican and African-American descent (Wikipedia). Some sources also describe her as Afro-Puerto Rican (Wikipedia). She was born on June 25, 1982, in Brooklyn, New York (Wikipedia). However, there is some confusion: IMDb lists her birth year as 1979 (IMDb), and TV Insider reports 1981 (TV Insider). The most widely cited date in biographical sources is June 25, 1982.
What was La La Anthony’s early career?
She began her media career as a radio intern at WQHT (Hot 97) before moving to MTV as a VJ on Total Request Live (Wikipedia).
How old is La La Anthony?
If her birth year is 1982, she is 42 years old as of 2024. If the 1979 date is correct, she would be 45. The official Wikipedia entry uses 1979 or 1982 with a note about the ambiguity (Wikipedia).
How tall is La La Anthony?
Her reported height is 5 ft 2 in (1.57 m) (Wikipedia).
What is La La Anthony known for?
She is best known for her MTV VJ days, acting roles in Think Like a Man (2012), Power (2014–2020), and Unforgettable (IMDb).
La La’s ethnicity is consistently reported as Puerto Rican and African-American, but her exact birth year remains contested across multiple databases. For a public figure, that ambiguity is rare—and it’s a reminder that even official sources can disagree.
The implication: La La’s public profile rests on solid ethnic grounding, yet the birth year discrepancy introduces a layer of mystery that fans and researchers alike must navigate.
Who is Lala Anthony’s baby daddy?
La La Anthony has one child: a son named Kiyan Carmelo Anthony, born on March 7, 2007 (EssentiallySports). Kiyan’s father is Carmelo Anthony, the former NBA star (EssentiallySports).
Does La La Anthony have a baby?
Yes, she has one son, Kiyan, who is now a college basketball player (Yahoo Sports).
Who are Carmelo Anthony’s baby mommas?
Carmelo Anthony has only one publicly known child, Kiyan, with La La. There are no other confirmed baby mothers (EssentiallySports).
How many babies does Carmelo Anthony have?
Carmelo Anthony has one son, Kiyan, born in 2007 (EssentiallySports).
The question of “baby daddy” often carries a negative connotation, but in La La’s case, it’s a straightforward story: one child, two parents who co-parent after divorce. Kiyan’s basketball career means the family bond remains in the public eye.
The pattern: Both parents are fully committed to Kiyan’s upbringing, with no other children complicating the narrative.
What happened between Lala and Carmelo Anthony?
La La and Carmelo met in 2003 and became engaged on Christmas Day 2004 (EssentiallySports). They married on July 10, 2010, in New York at Cipriani with more than 300 guests (Sportskeeda). They separated in April 2017 (People), and La La filed for divorce in June 2021 (Pro Football Network).
Why did Carmelo Anthony leave Lala?
Public reports cite infidelity and growing apart after 11 years of marriage (Nicki Swift). La La has said they remain a family for Kiyan’s sake.
How much older is Lala than Carmelo Anthony?
La La was born in June 1982; Carmelo was born on May 29, 1984 (Wikipedia). That makes her about 1 year and 11 months older. Some sources incorrectly state four years and eleven months, but that’s based on the 1979 birth year.
When did La La and Carmelo get married and divorce?
Married July 10, 2010; separated April 2017; divorce finalized 2021 (Sportskeeda, People).
The exact private reasons for the split have never been fully confirmed by both parties. La La has emphasized that they are a family unit for their son, which means the public narrative may be more cooperative than the private reality.
The implication: The relationship timeline is well-documented, but the emotional core remains private, guarded by both parties.
Are Melo and La La still together?
No. They are divorced and have been living separate lives since 2017. La La continues to use the Anthony surname professionally and co-parents Kiyan with Carmelo (Yahoo Entertainment).
Who is Carmelo Anthony in a relationship with now?
Carmelo Anthony has not publicly confirmed a new relationship since the divorce (Pro Football Network).
What is La La Anthony doing now?
She remains active in media, hosting events, and supporting Kiyan’s college basketball career (Yahoo Sports).
Do La La and Carmelo still co-parent?
Yes. They are frequently seen together at Kiyan’s games and have spoken positively about their co-parenting relationship (Yahoo Entertainment).
Why does Lala still have Carmelo’s last name?
Her birth name is Alani Nicole Vazquez (Wikipedia). She changed it to Anthony during marriage and kept it after the divorce because “La La Anthony” is her established professional brand. Keeping the surname also aligns with her son Kiyan’s family name.
What is La La Anthony’s real name?
Alani Nicole Vazquez.
Is La La Anthony still married?
No, she is divorced from Carmelo Anthony as of 2021.
What is La La Anthony’s professional name?
La La Anthony — she uses this name for all media appearances and business ventures.
La La keeps her ex-husband’s surname despite being divorced, a choice that reinforces her brand identity while also symbolizing the enduring family bond through her son. It’s a pragmatic decision that many women in the public eye make.
The pattern: Her professional name is a deliberate brand asset, not a reflection of marital status.
Is Carmelo Anthony biracial?
Yes. Carmelo Anthony’s father was Puerto Rican and his mother is African-American (Wikipedia). He identifies as Black and Latino, or Afro-Latino.
What is Carmelo Anthony’s ethnicity?
Puerto Rican and African-American (Wikipedia).
Is Carmelo Anthony Puerto Rican?
Yes, through his father.
Who are Carmelo Anthony’s parents?
His father, Carmelo Iriarte, was Puerto Rican; his mother, Mary Anthony, is African-American (Wikipedia).
The implication: Carmelo’s mixed heritage mirrors La La’s, making their son Kiyan equally Afro-Puerto Rican.
Timeline signal
- Early 2000s: La La gains fame as an MTV VJ on Total Request Live (Wikipedia).
- March 7, 2007: Son Kiyan Carmelo Anthony is born (EssentiallySports).
- 2010: La La and Carmelo Anthony marry (Sportskeeda).
- 2017: The couple separates (People).
- 2021: Divorce is finalized (Pro Football Network).
Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- La La Anthony is of Puerto Rican and African-American descent (Wikipedia).
- She has one son, Kiyan, with Carmelo Anthony (EssentiallySports).
- La La and Carmelo married in 2010 and divorced in 2021 (Sportskeeda, Pro Football Network).
- Carmelo Anthony’s father was Puerto Rican and his mother is African-American (Wikipedia).
What’s unclear
- The exact private reasons for the split have not been fully confirmed by both parties.
- Carmelo Anthony’s current relationship status is not publicly confirmed.
- Net worth and height figures are third-party estimates, not official records.
Quotes & perspectives
“We’re not together, but we’re a family. We’re always going to be a family.”
— La La Anthony, 2017 television interview (People)
In his 2023 retirement announcement, Carmelo thanked his family, saying, “I am forever grateful for those who supported me along the way.”
— Carmelo Anthony, 2023 retirement statement (Wikipedia)
For La La Anthony, the choice to keep her married name was a strategic brand decision that allowed her to maintain continuity for her son and her career. For fans and followers, the lesson is clear: a surname doesn’t define a person’s identity, but it can be a powerful tool for consistency.
Frequently asked questions
What is La La Anthony’s net worth?
Third-party estimates range from $1 million to $5 million, but these are not official figures (Civic Insight).
Where was La La Anthony born?
Brooklyn, New York, USA (Wikipedia).
Is La La Anthony still acting?
Yes, she continues to appear in TV and film projects (IMDb).
Is La La Anthony on social media?
Yes, she has verified Instagram and Twitter accounts with millions of followers.
Is La La Anthony a best-selling author?
She wrote the book The Love Playbook: Rules for Love, Sex, and Happiness (2014), which became a New York Times bestseller (Wikipedia).
Related reading
George Harry Howard Bennett is a staff writer for Public Journal UK, specializing in UK news, policy analysis, and public affairs coverage. He works under Editor-in-Chief Margaret Ellison, maintaining high standards of sourcing, verification, and fact-checking. Bennett reports on Westminster, government policy, and societal issues, providing balanced and accurate journalism with timely insight.