If you’ve ever watched Power or followed the NBA during the Carmelo Anthony era, you probably think you know La La Anthony. But there is one question that keeps popping up in Google searches and fan forums alike: what is La La Anthony’s nationality?
Honestly, the answer is simpler than people make it out to be, yet the cultural layers underneath are where things get interesting.
The Quick Answer: Is She American?
Yes. 100%.
La La Anthony is an American. She was born Alani Nicole Vázquez in Brooklyn, New York. Because she was born on U.S. soil, her nationality is American. It’s that straightforward. However, if you’re asking this question, you’re probably less interested in her passport and more curious about her heritage.
People often confuse nationality (where you hold citizenship) with ethnicity (your ancestral background). In La La's case, these two things dance together to create a very specific identity that she has spent years defending in Hollywood.
The Puerto Rican Connection
While she’s a Brooklyn girl through and through—later moving to New Jersey and Atlanta during her teens—her roots are firmly planted in Puerto Rico.
Both of her parents are of Puerto Rican descent. They were born and raised in New York City, which makes La La a "Nuyorican"—a term used to describe the vibrant subculture of Puerto Ricans born in or living in New York.
It’s not just a box she checks on a form. She speaks Spanish fluently. She grew up in a household where the food, the music, and the language were all reflections of the island. She’s been a regular fixture at the Puerto Rican Day Parade in NYC for years.
Why "Afro-Latina" Is the Term She Uses Most
There’s been a lot of conversation lately about what it means to be Afro-Latina. For La La, this isn't a "new" identity, even if the terminology has become more mainstream recently.
"I'm Black and that's what Afro-Latina means to me," she said in a 2020 interview with The Root.
She has been vocal about the fact that Hollywood often has a very narrow view of what a "Latina" looks like. Usually, the industry looks for someone with fair skin and straight hair. La La doesn't fit that stereotypical mold, and she’s okay with that.
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- The Family Tree: Her grandfather was very dark-skinned, while his brother had blond hair and blue eyes.
- The Struggle: She’s talked openly about how casting directors sometimes can’t "wrap their minds around" her identity. They see a Black woman, then hear her speak fluent Spanish, and it creates a "glitch in the matrix" for them.
She often points out that there is a lot of anti-Blackness within the Latino community itself. By identifying as Afro-Puerto Rican, she’s basically telling everyone to educate themselves on the history of the Caribbean.
Passing the Torch to Kiyan
Nationality and heritage became a massive talking point again in early 2025. Her son, Kiyan Anthony (whom she shares with NBA legend Carmelo Anthony), made headlines for his own connection to his roots.
Kiyan decided to represent the Puerto Rican national team in international basketball.
Even though Kiyan was born in Denver, Colorado, his decision to play for Puerto Rico was a huge moment for La La. She posted on Instagram, "Let’s go," celebrating the fact that her son was embracing that side of his bloodline. It’s a perfect example of how nationality (American) and heritage (Puerto Rican) can live together in the same person.
Common Misconceptions
You’ll see a few things online that just aren’t true. Let’s clear those up.
Some people think she was born in Puerto Rico and moved to the U.S. as a kid. Nope. Brooklyn born. Others think she is Dominican or from another Caribbean island because of her look. While she has many friends in those communities, her lineage is strictly Puerto Rican.
Then there’s the name. Anthony is her married name (from Carmelo), but her maiden name, Vázquez, is as Puerto Rican as it gets.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Researchers
If you're looking to understand more about the nuances of identity like La La's, here is how you can actually use this information:
- Distinguish between Citizenship and Heritage: When researching celebrities, remember that "Nationality" refers to the country of their passport. "Ethnicity" refers to their DNA and cultural background.
- Support Afro-Latino Content: If you want to see more representation like La La’s, seek out creators who identify as Afro-Latino. The more the audience engages, the more Hollywood "gets it."
- Check the Birthplace: Most celebrity "nationality" confusion stems from people assuming someone isn't American because they celebrate their culture loudly. Always check the birthplace (in this case, Brooklyn) to find the legal nationality.
La La Anthony isn't just one thing. She’s a New Yorker, a Black woman, an American citizen, and a proud Puerto Rican. In 2026, the idea that someone has to pick just one label is finally starting to fade away.
To get a better sense of her cultural impact, you can watch her early TRL interviews or her more recent work in Power to see how she navigates these worlds. You can also follow her son Kiyan's basketball career as he continues to represent the island on the global stage.