Jayson Tatum is a champion. He’s got the rings, the All-NBA nods, and a son, Deuce, who is basically the unofficial mascot of the Boston Celtics. But for years, fans have been typing the same four words into search bars: Jayson Tatum wife.
Honestly, people want a wedding photo. They want a "just married" Instagram post. But if you’re looking for a marriage certificate, you’re going to be looking for a very long time.
The truth is pretty simple: Jayson Tatum doesn’t have a wife. At least, not yet.
Despite the constant rumors and the "engagement" whispers that pop up every time he’s seen at a jewelry store, the Celtics superstar remains unmarried. However, that doesn’t mean his life is a solo act. For years, Tatum has been linked to Grammy-winning R&B singer Ella Mai. It’s one of those "everyone knows but nobody talks about it" situations that the couple has tried very hard to keep under wraps.
The Ella Mai Connection
The relationship between Jayson Tatum and Ella Mai is the definition of a slow burn. Rumors first started swirling around 2019 or 2020. It wasn’t a big splashy debut. Instead, it was "Internet detectives" doing what they do best. People noticed the background of Ella’s Instagram Lives looked suspiciously like Jayson’s house. Then, she was spotted courtside at Celtics games.
Eventually, the secret got too big to hide. In July 2022, they finally showed up together at Michael Rubin’s famous White Party in the Hamptons. They weren't exactly hiding, but they weren't posting "couple goals" captions either.
Fast forward to late 2024 and 2025, and things got even more serious. After the Celtics won the 2024 NBA Championship, Ella Mai was seen celebrating with a very visible baby bump. They welcomed a son, reportedly named Dylan, in August 2024.
Even with a child together, they haven't rushed to the altar. Or if they have, they did it so privately that not even the most dedicated paparazzi caught a whiff of it. In a late 2025 interview with KISS XTRA, Ella Mai talked about her son, calling him a "singing hooper" who can already hold a note. But when asked about the relationship, she kept it brief: "I’ma keep my peace."
Who Is Toriah Lachell?
You can't talk about Jayson’s family without mentioning Toriah Lachell. She isn't Jayson Tatum's wife either, but she is the mother of his first son, Jayson "Deuce" Christopher Tatum Jr.
Toriah and Jayson were high school sweethearts back in St. Louis. They were both 19 when Deuce was born in 2017, right as Jayson’s rookie season with the Celtics was kicking off. It was a lot to handle for a teenager becoming an instant millionaire and a father at the same time.
Instead of a messy breakup, they’ve actually mastered the art of co-parenting. Toriah moved to Boston shortly after the draft to ensure Deuce could be close to his dad. She’s built her own successful career as a hairstylist and owner of The Curl Bar, a salon in Boston.
- Key Fact: Jayson's mother, Brandy Cole-Barnes, played a massive role in making the co-parenting work, often helping Toriah settle in Boston so both parents could chase their dreams.
Why Everyone Thinks He's Married
The confusion usually stems from how settled Jayson appears. He isn't out at the clubs every night. He isn't linked to a different model every week. He’s a "family man" in every sense of the word.
When people see a professional athlete with two kids and a long-term partner like Ella Mai, they just assume there’s a wedding ring involved. In the world of SEO and celebrity gossip, "wife" is also just a more common search term than "long-term domestic partner."
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The "Hidden" Life of an NBA Superstar
It’s rare to see a star of Tatum's magnitude keep things this quiet. Think about it. We know every detail of some players' lives. We know what their kitchens look like and what they bought their spouses for Christmas.
Tatum is different. He’s intentional. He writes the names of his sons on his sneakers before games. He brings Deuce to the podium for post-game interviews. But the romantic side? That stays behind a closed door.
If you are looking for the "Jayson Tatum wife" reveal, you might be waiting for a while. As of 2026, he is a father of two, a partner to a music icon, and a man who values his "peace" above a tabloid headline.
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Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to keep up with the real Jayson Tatum, stop looking for wedding bells and start looking at his footwear. He often uses his player-edition sneakers to shout out his family, often featuring "Deuce" or "Dylan" in the design. Following Ella Mai’s upcoming album releases—like her 2026 project Do You Still Love Me?—might also give you more "Easter eggs" about their life together than any interview ever will.