What Is La La Anthony’s Net Worth?
La La Anthony, an accomplished American television personality, actress, author, and entrepreneur, has accumulated a significant net worth of $30 million. This financial success is a result of her diverse career spanning various entertainment and business ventures.
Early Career and MTV Stardom
Alani Nicole Vázquez, known professionally as La La Anthony, embarked on her career journey at the young age of 15 with an internship at radio station WHAT-FM, HOT 97.5. This early exposure to the media industry provided her with invaluable experience and laid the foundation for her future success. While still in high school, she was given her own show, “Future Flavas,” co-hosted by rapper Ludacris. This opportunity allowed her to hone her on-air skills and gain recognition within the entertainment world.
After high school, La La attended Howard University, where she studied communications. Although she did not complete her degree, her time at Howard University further enhanced her knowledge and skills in the field of media. At the age of 19, La La secured a position at 92.3 The Beat in Los Angeles, co-hosting her own radio show, “The B-Syde.” Her successful radio career paved the way for her transition to television in 2001, when she joined MTV. Despite lacking prior television experience, La La quickly rose to prominence as a co-host of two of MTV’s most popular shows, “Direct Effect” (2002-2006) and “Total Request Live” (2002). These roles significantly boosted her public profile and provided her with a platform to showcase her personality and hosting abilities.
Reality Television Hosting and Production Ventures
La La’s success at MTV led to numerous opportunities hosting various VH1 reality shows. These included “The Real World: Paris” (2003), “Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Inferno” (2004), “Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Battle of the Sexes 2” (2005), “Flavor of Love” (2006), “Flavor of Love 2” (2006), “I Love New York” (2007), “Flavor of Love Girls: Charm School” (2007), “For the Love of Ray J” (2009), “Real Chance of Love” (2009), “Charm School with Ricki Lake” (2009), and “For the Love of Ray J 2” (2010). Hosting these shows increased her visibility and cemented her status as a prominent television personality. The popularity garnered from hosting reality shows helped her land her own reality series. “La La’s Full Court Wedding” (2010) documented the planning and execution of her wedding to NBA star Carmelo Anthony, offering viewers an intimate glimpse into their lives. This show was a ratings success and led to a spin-off, “La La’s Full Court Life,” which aired for five seasons from 2011 to 2014, chronicling the couple’s daily life and careers. The show offered a behind-the-scenes look at their relationship, family, and professional endeavors, further solidifying La La’s position in the entertainment industry.
In 2003, La La established her own production company, Krossover Productions, demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit and desire to create content. One of the company’s notable projects is the Mike Tyson documentary “Tyson” (2008), for which La La served as a producer. Directed by Oscar-nominated director James Toback, the film won the Regard Knockout Award, showcasing La La’s talent for identifying and supporting quality film projects.
Acting Career in Film and Television
La La first ventured into acting in 2001 with a role in the romantic comedy “Two Can Play That Game.” She then appeared in television shows such as “Sex and the City” (2003), “Monster Island” (2004), “You Got Served” (2004), “One on One” (2004), “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” (2013), “Power” (2014-2020), “Unforgettable” (2015), “Daytime Divas” (2017), “Star” (2018), “BH90210” (2019), and “The Chi” (2020). These roles allowed her to develop her acting skills and gain experience in different genres. After a hiatus from major film roles, she returned to the big screen in 2012 with “Think Like a Man,” alongside Gabrielle Union and Taraji P. Henson. The film was a commercial success, grossing over $91 million worldwide and showcasing La La’s ability to hold her own alongside established actresses. Other film appearances include “Baggage Claim” (2013), “1982” (2013), “Think Like a Man Too” (2014), “Chi-Raq” (2015), “Destined” (2017), “Double Play” (2017), and “Deuces” (2017). Her consistent work in film and television has contributed significantly to her income and overall net worth.
In addition to her on-screen work, La La has also performed in stage productions, making her stage debut in October 2011 in the off-Broadway production of “Love Loss and What I Wore.” Her involvement in theater demonstrates her versatility as a performer and her commitment to exploring different aspects of the entertainment industry. She has also appeared in music videos, including Drake’s “In My Feelings” (2018) and Megan Thee Stallion’s “Hot Girl Summer” (2019), further expanding her reach and influence in popular culture.
Author and Entrepreneurial Ventures
Beyond her on-screen appearances, La La is also a published author. She has released two books, “The Love Playbook” (2014) and “The Power Playbook” (2015), in which she shares her insights and experiences on love, relationships, and success. “The Love Playbook” became a New York Times bestseller, demonstrating her ability to connect with readers and offer valuable advice. Her books have contributed to her overall income and established her as a respected author and voice in the relationship advice space.
La La has also ventured into the world of entrepreneurship, launching her own cosmetic line, MOTIVES by La La, in 2012 at the Market America World Conference in Miami, Florida. The line was inspired by her vision to create cosmetic products for women of color, addressing a gap in the market and catering to a diverse range of skin tones. MOTIVES by La La features products for the face, cheeks, eyes, lips, and nails, offering a comprehensive range of beauty essentials. In 2013, La La launched her own clothing line, 5th and Mercer, a capsule collection exclusively available on Shopbop.com. This venture into the fashion industry allowed her to express her personal style and cater to fashion-conscious consumers. In October 2019, La La launched another clothing line, the La La Anthony Collection, further solidifying her presence in the fashion world. These entrepreneurial ventures have not only contributed to her financial success but have also allowed her to build her brand and connect with consumers on a personal level. These ventures showcase her business acumen and her ability to identify and capitalize on market opportunities, contributing significantly to her overall financial standing and her position as a successful businesswoman.
Personal Life and Real Estate
La La’s personal life has also been a subject of public interest. She became engaged to NBA professional basketball player Carmelo Anthony on Christmas Day 2004. They share a son, Kiyan Carmelo Anthony, born on March 7, 2007. The couple married in July 2010 at a wedding ceremony in New York attended by 320 guests. The wedding and its preparations were documented in the VH1 reality series “La La’s Full Court Wedding.” In June 2021, La La filed for divorce from Carmelo, marking a significant change in her personal life.
While specific details about La La Anthony’s real estate holdings are not publicly available, it’s common for individuals with a substantial net worth to invest in real estate. She likely owns property, potentially including a residence in New York or Los Angeles, which could contribute to her asset portfolio and overall net worth.
Income Streams and Financial Success
La La Anthony’s $30 million net worth is the result of diverse income streams, including her work as a television personality, actress, author, producer, and entrepreneur. Her long and successful career in the entertainment industry, combined with her business ventures, has enabled her to accumulate significant wealth. Her earnings from television hosting, acting roles, book sales, production projects, and entrepreneurial ventures all contribute to her overall financial success. Her ability to diversify her career and capitalize on various opportunities has been instrumental in building her net worth and establishing her as a prominent figure in the entertainment and business worlds.