Montana Yao, the wife of NBA star Malik Beasley, has been a fascinating figure both for her achievements and her dynamic relationship with the athlete.
From her early life to her career and family, here’s a closer look at who she is and her journey alongside Malik.
Early Life And Background
Born on August 5, 1997, in Newport Beach, California, Montana, Helena Klein Yao grew up with a culturally rich and diverse background.
Her father, Paul Yao, is a Chinese immigrant who moved to the States in 1965 and served in the U.S. Army.
Meanwhile, her mother, Gina, has a mixed ancestry of English, Irish, and German descent. This blend of cultures gave Montana a unique upbringing in California.
Montana attended Malibu High School, where her passion for beauty and fashion began to shine.
Her talent and charisma led her to win the title of Miss Malibu Teen USA in 2016, and she later placed in the top ten at Miss California Teen USA the same year.
Career and Achievements
Montana has pursued a successful career in modeling and entrepreneurship.
After her pageant successes, she signed with Newmark Models and gained recognition through collaborations with brands like ZARA.
Beyond modeling, she co-owns JaggerEdge, a global brand launched by her mother, specializing in fashion and accessories.
Montana is also a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and body positivity.
Through her Instagram, where she has amassed a large following, she shares fitness tips, lifestyle content, and moments from her family life.
Relationship with Malik Beasley
Montana and Malik’s story began in 2018, and their chemistry quickly turned into a serious relationship.
In March 2019, the couple welcomed their first child, a son named Makai. They tied the knot in March 2020, solidifying their commitment to one another.
However, their marriage faced turbulence in late 2020 when Malik’s relationship with reality TV star Larsa Pippen made headlines.
Photos of Malik and Larsa holding hands went viral, prompting Montana to file for divorce and claim that she and Makai were asked to leave their home.
Malik later issued a public apology to Montana in May 2021, expressing regret for his actions and acknowledging that he had taken his family for granted.
His heartfelt Instagram post read,
“I was looking for more when it was right here the whole time.”
Via Instagram
Reconciliation and Family Life
Despite the highly publicized scandal, Malik and Montana worked through their differences.
In August 2022, their divorce was officially dismissed, and by November of the same year, they welcomed their second child, a daughter named Mia Love Beasley.
Malik celebrated her birth with an emotional post on Instagram, saying, “11/11 and my wish came true.”
Since reconciling, the couple has focused on rebuilding their relationship and creating a happy environment for their children.
They frequently share glimpses of their family life on social media, showing fans that their love has grown stronger through challenges.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Malik Beasley comes from an acting family – his grandfather was John Beasley, known for playing Coach Warren in Rudy, where he welcomed walk-on players to Notre Dame football practice.
- After one year of college, Malik entered the 2016 NBA draft and was selected 19th overall by Denver.
- While his first two seasons with the Nuggets saw limited playing time, he broke out in his third year, averaging over 11 points across 81 games. In early 2020, he was traded to Minnesota, where he had his best scoring stretch, putting up 19.9 points per game over 51 contests.