You’ve seen the photos. Or maybe you haven’t, but you definitely saw the fallout. It was late 2020, and the internet basically melted when pictures of NBA guard Malik Beasley holding hands with Larsa Pippen surfaced in a Miami mall. But while the tabloids were feasting on the scandal, there was a real person sitting at home in Minnesota, staring at her phone in absolute shock.
That person was Montana Helena Klein Yao.
Honestly, the way most people talk about Montana Helena Klein Yao is pretty one-dimensional. She’s often just "the wife" or "the model who got blindsided." But if you actually look at the timeline—and especially where she is now in early 2026—there is a whole lot more to the story than just a messy celebrity breakup. She’s a Miss Malibu Teen USA winner, a mother of two, a rapper with actual bars, and a woman who has had to navigate some of the most public legal and financial disasters in professional sports.
Who is Montana Helena Klein Yao beyond the headlines?
Montana was born on August 5, 1997, in Newport Beach. She’s got a pretty cool heritage that she often talks about, with her father, Paul, being from Hong Kong and her mother, Gina, having English, Irish, and German roots. She didn’t just stumble into fame; she earned her way through the pageant circuit. In 2016, she was crowned Miss Malibu Teen USA and finished in the top ten at Miss California Teen USA.
That pageant background gave her a certain kind of poise, but don’t let the sash fool you. She’s described herself as "competitive AF." By the time she met Malik Beasley in 2018, she was already building a modeling career, working with brands like Zara and Newmark Models.
Then things moved fast. Like, really fast.
💡 You might also like: Robin Thicke Girlfriend: What Most People Get Wrong
They started dating in 2018. Their son, Makai Joseph Beasley, was born in March 2019. By March 2020, they were married. They were the classic "it" couple of the NBA lifestyle—until the wheels fell off.
The Larsa Pippen scandal and the first divorce filing
Most people remember the Larsa Pippen drama because it was so public. Montana literally posted on her Instagram Story that she was seeing the photos for the first time along with everyone else. "Wow I don't even know this man," she wrote. It was raw. It was messy.
She filed for divorce in December 2020, just days after the photos leaked. But it wasn't just the "infidelity." Montana later claimed she and her toddler son were asked to leave their family home with basically no notice. Imagine being a young mom, seeing your husband on a date with a famous socialite across the country, and then getting a "move out" notice ten days later. It’s heavy stuff.
The unexpected reconciliation
What's wild is that they actually got back together. After months of back-and-forth and Malik eventually issuing a massive public apology in May 2021—where he basically said his head wasn't where it was supposed to be—they reconciled.
They even had a second child, a daughter named Mia Love Beasley, in November 2022. For a couple of years, it looked like they had beaten the odds. They were a family again. Montana was a staple at his games, supporting him as he moved from the Timberwolves to the Lakers, then the Bucks, and finally the Detroit Pistons.
📖 Related: Raquel Welch Cup Size: Why Hollywood’s Most Famous Measurements Still Spark Debate
The 2025 separation: Why it finally ended
If you’re looking for the most recent update on Montana Helena Klein Yao, the big news hit in March 2025. Just one day before their fifth wedding anniversary, Montana filed for legal separation in a Los Angeles court.
This time, it felt different. It wasn't just about another woman or a single photo. The legal documents cited "irreconcilable differences," but anyone following the news knows Malik has been under a mountain of pressure. Between an FBI probe into gambling allegations related to his time with the Bucks and massive lawsuits from former agents claiming he owed them millions, the stability was gone.
Montana hasn't been quiet about it either. After Malik posted something on Instagram about God rewarding him, she fired back with a since-deleted story calling out "villains acting like victims." She’s clearly done with the "supportive NBA wife" persona.
The legal and financial chaos surrounding the family
People often ask why she didn't just leave sooner. But it’s complicated. Montana herself faced legal trouble back in 2020 when she was charged with fifth-degree drug possession after a police raid at their home in Minnesota. While those charges were eventually dropped after Malik took a plea deal for a separate incident involving threatening a family with a gun, it shows how chaotic their environment was.
By 2026, the financial picture for the family became even more strained. Malik was hit with a $2.25 million lawsuit from Hazan Sports Management, and there were reports of his NBA paychecks being garnished for debts as small as unpaid dental bills. For Montana, who is seeking spousal support in the 2025 filing, the "glamorous" life has likely turned into a series of meetings with lawyers.
👉 See also: Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani: What Really Happened at the World's Biggest Wedding
What Montana Yao is doing now
She’s not just sitting around waiting for a settlement check. Montana has been leaning heavily into her own brand and her music. If you follow her, you know she’s a legitimate rapper. She posts freestyles that actually have flow and substance.
She’s also a co-owner of JaggerEdge, a luxury tech accessory brand. She’s trying to build a foundation that isn't dependent on an NBA contract that might be shrinking due to legal fees and fines.
Actionable Insights for Following the Story
If you're trying to keep up with the latest on Montana Helena Klein Yao, here is the best way to separate fact from social media noise:
- Check the Court Filings: Most of the "drama" is actually documented in LA and Minnesota court records. The 2025 separation filing is the primary source for her current status.
- Watch the Music, Not the Captions: Montana often expresses her "real" feelings through her rap verses rather than her static Instagram posts.
- Verify the Business Links: If you're interested in her entrepreneurship, look at JaggerEdge directly rather than just the "entrepreneur" tag in her bio.
- Ignore the "Reconciliation" Rumors: Unless there is a formal withdrawal of the 2025 separation papers, assume the split is final. The pattern of the last six years suggests a clean break is finally happening.
Montana’s story is a reminder that the "NBA lifestyle" often comes with a massive price tag that isn't paid in cash. She’s gone from a teenage beauty queen to a mother navigating federal investigations and high-profile betrayal, all before the age of 30.