Timing is everything. In the world of reality TV, it's often the difference between a "happily ever after" and a messy public breakup that lives forever on TikTok. When Ming Lee and Ty Young first went public, people were genuinely into it. You had Ming, the self-made Atlanta hair mogul and OG influencer who built Snob Life from a $500 hustle into a multi-million dollar empire. Then you had Ty Young, the WNBA legend and former Chicago Sky star with that cool, effortless swagger.
They looked good together. Like, really good.
But as we’ve seen with basically every couple that agrees to film Basketball Wives, the cameras have a funny way of magnifying the cracks you've been trying to ignore. By early 2025, the "it couple" vibes had shifted into something much more complicated.
The Basketball Wives Fallout
If you watched Season 12 of Basketball Wives, you saw the tension building in real-time. It wasn't just about small arguments over dinner. It was deeper. Ming Lee eventually got incredibly honest about why things hit a wall, pointing to her discomfort with Ty's friendship—or past, depending on who you ask—with Real Housewives of Atlanta star Drew Sidora.
Social media went into a frenzy. Was there cheating? Was it just a "close friendship" that looked bad on camera?
📖 Related: Why Angelina Jolie and Daughter Zahara Attended the Golden Globes Together
Ty Young has been pretty vocal about defending her character. She’s gone on record multiple times saying the "cheating" narrative is a reach. According to Ty, she didn't even know Drew back when she was with her previous long-term partner, Mimi Faust. She basically says that people love to take a platonic vibe and turn it into a scandal for clicks. Honestly, it’s a classic reality TV trap. One person feels insecure, the other feels misunderstood, and suddenly the whole relationship is trending for the wrong reasons.
Why Ming Lee Walked Away
For Ming, the decision to split wasn't just about one specific rumor. It was about peace of mind. She’s built a massive brand. She’s a "boss" in the truest sense of the word. When you’ve spent over a decade building a reputation as a powerhouse entrepreneur, you reach a point where you just don't want to deal with the "explosive" drama that comes with being a main cast member on a reality show.
Ming told interviewers that reality TV doesn't necessarily break a couple—it just forces you to face the truth faster. If there’s a leak in the boat, the cameras are going to find it. They stopped speaking for a while. It wasn't one of those "let's stay best friends" breakups initially. It was a "I need to go back to my business and my sanity" kind of exit.
Ty Young's Evolution Beyond the Court
While the relationship drama was peaking, Ty was actually going through a major career pivot. A lot of people forget she’s one of the most respected vets in the WNBA. She played for over 12 years. She’s in the top 10 for almost every major category in Chicago Sky history.
In 2024 and 2025, she made the jump from the jersey to the clipboard.
📖 Related: Danielle Fishel Bikini Moments: What People Actually Get Wrong
- Coaching: She signed on as an assistant coach for the Chicago Sky.
- Mentorship: Working alongside legends like Teresa Weatherspoon.
- Business: Pushing her TY1 Gear and "Opportunist" clothing brands.
- TV: Balancing the "Basketball Wives" spotlight with professional coaching duties.
It's a tough balance. You can't exactly be a high-level professional coach and be caught up in "tea" every Tuesday night. Ty has mentioned that being a role model as a coach is different. She has to be more disciplined. She can't be out at the clubs or in the middle of every argument if she wants the players to respect her leadership.
The Ming Lee Simmons Confusion
Here is something that gets people every single time: the name.
There is Ming Lee Simmons, the daughter of Kimora Lee Simmons and Russell Simmons.
And then there is Ming Lee, the Atlanta entrepreneur and hair icon.
Google searches often mash these two together, but they are very different people. The Ming Lee involved with Ty Young is the one who founded Snob Life. She’s the one who moved from Detroit to Atlanta with nothing and won a scholarship to Aveda. She’s a pioneer in social media marketing. If you see headlines about Ming Lee Simmons launching "Boulangerie Beauty" or modeling for Chanel, that’s Kimora’s daughter. If you’re looking for the woman who shook up the hair industry and had the high-profile relationship with Ty Young, you’re looking for the "Snob Boss."
Where Do They Stand Now?
As we move through 2026, both women seem to have found their separate lanes. Ming Lee is doubling down on her beauty ventures. She’s always been about the hustle. She’s spoken about how she started her business not to be a millionaire, but just to stop "robbing Peter to pay Paul." That drive hasn't changed. She’s focused on her legacy and her "Gigi," her grandmother who has always been her biggest inspiration.
Ty Young is busy on the sidelines. The "Caitlin Clark effect" has brought more eyes to the WNBA than ever before, and Ty is right in the middle of that growth as a coach. She’s moved past the Mimi Faust era and the Ming Lee era.
Is there a chance for a reconciliation? In the world of reality TV, you never say never. But right now, it feels like a closed chapter. They both seem to realize that their "truth"—as they like to call it—wasn't compatible in the long run.
Real-World Takeaways for Your Own Life
- Trust Your Gut on Boundaries: Ming Lee felt "uncomfortable" and chose her peace over the relationship. If a situation feels off, it usually is.
- Pivot Gracefully: Ty Young showed that even after a 12-year career ends, you can reinvent yourself as a coach and entrepreneur.
- Clarify the Narrative: If people are talking about you, don't be afraid to go on a podcast and set the record straight, just like Ty did with the Drew Sidora rumors.
- Brand Protection: Ming Lee prioritized her professional "boss" image over the messiness of a TV storyline. Know what your "brand" is worth before you let drama devalue it.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to keep up with the actual facts, follow Ming Lee’s business updates through Snob Life for her latest beauty launches. For the sports side, keep an eye on the Chicago Sky’s coaching roster updates during the 2026 WNBA season to see Ty Young’s progress on the bench.