Tionna T. Smalls

Last updated
Tionna Tee Smalls
Born (1984-09-16) September 16, 1984 (age 39)
Origin Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Occupation(s)Author, TV personality
Years active2007–present

Tionna Tee Smalls (born September 16, 1984) is an American author, media personality, relationship advisor, youth advocate and star of VH1's reality television series What Chilli Wants . [1]

Contents

Early life and education

Smalls grew up in a two-parent household along with three sisters and was raised in the East New York section of Brooklyn, New York. After completing her primary education, Tionna attended the High School for Environmental Studies in Manhattan and studied sociology at Stony Brook University. [2]

Professional career

In 2007, Smalls released her first book with IUniverse publishers, a self-service publishing company entitled “Girl Get Your Mind Right,” a book that encourages women to focus on the realities of dating and how to deal with members of the opposite sex. Following the success of the book an updated version was released in 2010 after Smalls signed a new book deal with HarperCollins publishing.

The book became popular after Smalls’ promoted it to Gawker Media and she was later hired as a writer in 2008 to provide relationship advice to readers. This occurred after receiving an influx of attention as a result of an email that Smalls wrote in third person to the editors of the magazine asking them to review her book. Her popular column “Ask Tionna” received around 20,000 views weekly. Smalls became an instant internet hit and an increase of fan base and book sales followed.

At the conclusion of Smalls position at Gawker, she moved to Radar Online and was later hired by an online column with SLC Outsider, which was run by self-professed Gawker fan, Adam Streeter. “Her contribution to SLC Outsider earned her mention in the New York Times on January 13, 2008 with an article titled, “Has Gawker Jumped the Snark” written by Allan Saulkin.” [3] In 2007, Smalls started her own urban lifestyle blog entitled Talk Dat Ish. She also started her internet radio show, Talk Dat Ish Radio, on Blog Talk Radio. [4]

“In 2009 VH1 approached Tionna with an opportunity to be a relationship expert to Rozonda “Chili” Thomas on the reality series “What Chilli Wants.” Smalls’ fiery personality and experience with giving relationship advice around the country was a big hit with viewers.” [5] The show was produced by Fremantle Media North and aired on April 11, 2010 on VH1. Smalls is the owner of Loveys Accessories Boutique in Brooklyn New York and part owner of Majesty’s Closet, an online boutique that emphasizes plus size fashion, with her sister Antonia “Toni” Reason. The boutique is named after Reason's daughter and Smalls’ Niece “Majesty.” [6]

Tionna released her second major book, “Men Love Abuse”, [7] through her publishing company Talk Dat Ish Books in January 2012. Smalls’ “tell it like it is” demeanor in the world of relationships and dating encourages women to be more firm with men and not to have a too nice approach. “It wouldn't be a bad idea for women to have something to keep themselves busy.” says Smalls to Sonya Eskridge in an interview with S2S Magazine. [8] “Working towards your goals is sexy and that means that sometimes your man may have to wait for a minute."Never let a man have too much access to you,” she suggests.

Smalls recently finished her first screenplay, is in development for her own dating reality show, and building her Talk Dat Ish brand by signing new authors to her publishing company and helping new talent enter into the entertainment business. Her new book, “You Gotta Lose to Win” will be released this summer.

Smalls is the host of MTV's Girl Get Your Mind Right, a show in which she helps young women find love while finding themselves.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rozonda Thomas</span> American singer, dancer and actress (born 1971)

Rozonda Ocielian Thomas, better known by her stage name Chilli, is an American singer, dancer and actress who is a member of the group TLC, one of the best-selling girl groups of the late 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rasheeda</span> American rapper

Rasheeda Widad Buckner-Frost is an American businesswoman, rapper, and television personality.

<i>Flavor of Love</i> Television series

Flavor of Love is an American reality television dating game show starring Flavor Flav of the rap group Public Enemy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tiffany Pollard</span> American television personality (born 1982)

Tiffany Pollard is an American television personality. She came to public prominence for her participation on the first two seasons of VH1's Flavor of Love (2006–2007). Pollard was given the nickname "New York" by rapper Flavor Flav. She is also known colloquially by her self-proclaimed nickname "HBIC" – an acronym for "Head Bitch in Charge" – which she exclaimed in the Flavor of Love series to taunt her competitors. Her temperamental and outspoken nature often led to tension with the other women on the show but made her an instant fan favorite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Linda Hogan (TV personality)</span> American television personality (born 1959)

Linda Marie Claridge, also known as Linda Hogan, is an American television personality who is the ex-wife of professional wrestler Hulk Hogan. She is best known for her role on the American reality television show Hogan Knows Best.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Audrina Patridge</span> American reality television star

Audrina Patridge is an American television personality, model and actress. In 2006, she rose to prominence after being cast in the reality television series The Hills, which chronicled the personal and professional lives of Patridge and friends Lauren Conrad, Heidi Montag and Whitney Port. During its production, she was cast in positions with Quixote Studios and Epic Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angelique Morgan</span> American pornographic actress (born 1975)

Angelique Morgan, also known as Frenchy or Frenchy Morgan, is a French television personality and model. She is best known for her appearances on Howard TV (2007-2008), and the VH1's reality shows Rock of Love 2, Rock of Love: Charm School, and I Love Money 2 (2009). In 2014, Morgan was a contestant on the fourteenth series of Celebrity Big Brother.

<i>What Chilli Wants</i> American TV series or program

What Chilli Wants is an American reality television series that premiered on April 11, 2010, on VH1 starring Chilli, one-third of the Grammy Award-winning R&B trio TLC. The series chronicles Chilli's quest to find love with the help of Tionna T. Smalls, an author and relationship coach. Not only is she looking for love, but also a husband and hopes to have another baby. The series was renewed for a second season on May 26, 2010.

Andrea Syrtash is a New-York based dating and relationship writer, online broadcaster, and author.

<i>Single Ladies</i> (TV series) American TV series or program

Single Ladies is an American comedy-drama television series that debuted on May 30, 2011, as a two-hour television film on VH1. Created by Stacy A. Littlejohn and produced by Queen Latifah's Flavor Unit Entertainment, the series chronicles the lives of three friends—Val, Keisha and April —and their relationships. VH1 announced on February 28, 2014, that Single Ladies was canceled. It was announced on April 8, 2014, that BET Networks ordered a fourth season which would air on Centric. Single Ladies returned on March 18, 2015 with Melissa De Sousa joining the cast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Courtney Stodden</span> American television personality (born 1994)

Courtney Alexis Stodden is an American media personality, model, and singer. After competing in beauty pageants in their home state of Washington and releasing original music, then-16-year-old Stodden came to international attention after being wed to 51-year-old actor Doug Hutchison in 2011. The controversy and media attention surrounding the marriage led Stodden to appear on the reality television shows Couples Therapy (2012) and Celebrity Big Brother (2013), and later appearances on Reality Ex-Wives (2015), The Mother/Daughter Experiment (2016), Celebs Go Dating (2017), and Courtney (2020).

<i>Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta</i> American music media franchise

Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta is the second installment of the Love & Hip Hop reality television franchise. It premiered June 18, 2012, on VH1, and chronicles the lives of several people in Atlanta involved with hip hop music. The show features appearances from notable figures associated with Southern hip hop.

Evelyn Alexandra Lozada is an American television personality, model, and spokesperson. Lozada is best known as one of the six main cast members in the VH1 reality series Basketball Wives throughout its run beginning in 2010.

Karlie Redd born Keisha Lewis, is an American television personality, rapper, model and actress. She rose to prominence for appearing as a main cast member of VH1's reality show Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta since its premiere in June 2012.

<i>Love & Hip Hop: New York</i> American music media franchise

Love & Hip Hop: New York is the original installment of the Love & Hip Hop reality television franchise on VH1. The series premiered on March 6, 2011, and chronicles the lives of several people in New York City, involved with hip hop music. The show features appearances from notable figures associated with East Coast hip hop. Its success has produced the spin-offs Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, Chrissy & Mr. Jones, Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood, K. Michelle: My Life, Stevie J & Joseline: Go Hollywood, Leave It to Stevie, Love & Hip Hop: Miami and Remy & Papoose: Meet the Mackies.

Joseline Hernandez is a Puerto Rican reality television personality, rapper, and actress. She is best known for starring in the first six seasons of the VH1 reality television series Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta and the spin-off Stevie J & Joseline: Go Hollywood with Stevie J. She has starred in the Zeus Network reality series Joseline's Cabaret since 2020.

Michelle Rothschild-Patterson, also known as Sister Patterson, is known for her work in reality television and for being the mother of reality TV personality Tiffany "New York" Pollard, whom she has starred alongside on reality shows such as VH1's I Love New York and Family Therapy with Dr. Jenn.

Alexis Skyy McFarland is an American reality television personality. She is best known from being on VH1's reality TV shows Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood, Love & Hip Hop: New York and Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta. Skyy has received media attention for her relationship with rapper Fetty Wap.

References

  1. ↑ Genzlinger, Neil (9 April 2010). "VH1: Where Love Hurts (Published 2010)". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2022-06-20.
  2. ↑ "Breaking News Online, Latest Local News Online - Black Star News". 8 March 2024.
  3. ↑ Retrieved from Racialicious: "Who Played Whom? Gawker Media and Tionna Smalls at Racialicious - the intersection of race and pop culture". Archived from the original on 2008-03-12. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
  4. ↑ "Talk Dat Ish with Tionna Smalls – New Show!". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
  5. ↑ [ dead link ]
  6. ↑ "TV Personality Tionna Smalls & Sister Opens 'Plus Size' Boutique, Majesty's Closet".
  7. ↑ "Tionna Tee Smalls Releases New Book, Men Love Abuse || Jay FingersJay Fingers". Archived from the original on 2012-02-03. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
  8. ↑ On the Topic: Tionna Smalls . Retrieved from S2S Magazine,com: "On the Topic: Tionna Smalls | Welcome to S2Smagazine.com". Archived from the original on 2012-05-05. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.