Tami Roman's early life was marked by hardship, growing up in a middle-class, single-parent household in White Plains, NY. Her mother worked three jobs to support the family, leaving Tami to spend many days and nights alone, often responsible for raising herself. This experience would later shape her views on independence and self-reliance.
When her mother met and married Ali Akbar, a devout Muslim, Tami's life took a dramatic turn. Ali instilled in her the importance of higher education, spiritual foundation, and strong family values. However, this exposure to Muslim culture also inadvertently taught Tami that women should be submissive and supportive of their husbands.
Tragedy struck when Tami's mother discovered Ali's infidelity and promptly divorced him. This event left Tami feeling broken and confused, as the man she had associated with unconditional love was taken away, and her mother became a hardened, cynical workaholic. Tami would spend the rest of her life trying to find love lost and working hard to avoid becoming as distant as her mother.
Tami and her mother developed an incredibly close bond, often appearing more like sisters than mother and daughter. They faced numerous challenges, including living on the streets for six months after her mother was unjustly terminated from her job. Through these trials, they developed a strong, independent, and humble relationship that would stand the test of time.
Tami's early life was marked by struggles, including not attending her prom and almost not participating in her graduation ceremony due to financial constraints. Despite these setbacks, she and her mother emerged as strong, knowledgeable, and appreciative women who valued life.
Tami's career in the entertainment industry began when she was cast on MTV's reality series The Real World in 1992. She later worked as a relief VJ for MTV, hosting various shows, including MTV Beach House and MTV Jams. After her divorce in 2001, her career really took off, with regular roles on several TV series, including Summerland, Sex, Love & Secrets, and Moonlight.
Tami has also appeared in several independent films, including MacArthur Park, Hair Show, The Last Stand, and Something Like a Business. She has been a weather correspondent for KTLA-TV news, co-air host of the revived game show Card Sharks, and had a role on a "view" type talk show pilot with Telepictures.
In addition to her entertainment career, Tami has owned her own consignment boutique and spearheaded an interior decorating firm in partnership with her mother. She has also been a featured guest on various TV shows, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, 20/20, The Sharon Osbourne Show, ESPN, and E! News.
Tami is currently a cast member on VH1's hit reality show Basketball Wives, which follows the lives of seven women linked to professional basketball players. She is also writing her autobiographical memoir, "The B.I.T.C.H. Chronicles," which is an in-depth look at her real life, and is developing several reality show ideas.
As a mother of three teenage girls, Tami is dedicated to her family and is working on securing a record deal for her daughters' hip-hop/r&b group and a fashion scholarship/internship for her stepdaughter.
