January doesn’t only mark the beginning of a new year; it often is the start of something new. For most people, it may just be a New Year’s resolution. Or it could be the start of a new journey, job, or opportunity. Or in Toya Johnson-Rushing and Reginae Carter’s case, the start of a new season. Yes, our favorite reality TV mother-and-daughter duo will be returning to our screens once again. January marks the new season of WeTV’s “Toya and Reginae,” but this new season goes much deeper than just the premiere of season two. Introducing rolling out‘s final cover stars of January, Toya and Reginae.
Toya and Reginae are no strangers to the spotlight. Reginae has been in it since birth and Toya has spent the last two decades plus in it, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. We learned that quickly in the first season of “Toya and Reginae,” and in the first episode of season two we learn that this new season has challenges already.
Reginae has new everything: a new crib in a new state, a new man, and a new spending addiction. Toya’s reality has a lot of newness too: Her brother will be a new addition on the show after he was released from prison, and she opens up about a new medical issue she’s been dealing with. January is the perfect time to start anew so it’s only right we close out the first month of our 25th anniversary with this sensational duo. So make sure to tap in and enjoy “Toya And Reginae,” the new season.
Toya, you were introduced to reality TV fans through “Tiny and Toya.” How does it feel to be back in the reality TV space now?
Toya Johnson
I love being back in the reality TV space. Honestly, I feel like I’ve been in it for quite some time now. Since “Tiny and Toya,” we’ve moved on to other shows, did another show with Tiny, then our own projects. So, we’ve kind of been in the reality TV space for a while.
We were also executive producers on “Tiny and Toya,” so from the start, we’ve had some control over how our story is told. Nothing has really changed; the difference now is that I’m working with my daughter. You see more of my family, my extended family, my husband, and just life and growth.
Reginae Carter
And we ain’t new to this!
Like Reginae said, y’all aren’t new to this. You’re true to this. But why did you, Reginae, decide to go into reality TV with your mom? And what has that experience taught you about your bond and working relationship?
Reginae Carter
Well, like we said, we’re very real, raw, and uncut. I am my mother’s daughter, so I was always a part of her life. When “Tiny and Toya” first started, they were following my mom’s life, and I was part of her life, so yeah, I just jumped in there. And honestly, I love being on TV. That’s a plus too!
And shifting a bit — you being on TV, we got to see you grow up. You’ve also had your own ventures in music. How has that journey been?
Reginae Carter
Music has been fun, to be honest. But in my opinion, music is not for me. I mean, I can do a little one-two if somebody writes me something. And I don’t know, I think I can sing, but I’m not the best singer.
And like you said, you can sing a little bit — we heard a little of your chops on “Famous” from Tha Carter V. What was it like making music with your dad (Lil Wayne), who also happens to be one of the biggest rappers in the world?
Reginae Carter
I love working with my dad! And I love working with my mom too. Working with your parents is different for me because, growing up as me, you can’t trust everybody. But I know my parents are always going to have my best interest. So I loved working on “Famous” with my dad. I was like, “Oh my gosh, I got a song with Wayne!”
Did you always kind of have that feeling? Like, what was it like growing up with a famous father?
Reginae Carter
Growing up with a famous dad was … cool. I feel like it was the best of both worlds. You get to meet all of these famous people, go to award shows, and get all these privileges—like, yes! But you also have everybody in your business. People act like their opinions about you are facts. Like, they label you as something and just decide, “This is who you are.”
That was something I struggled with growing up. But I learned to keep my skin tough. And my parents kept me on my P’s and Q’s. They were like, “Listen, you’re a beautiful Black woman. You’re educated, you’re smart, you’re everything. You don’t need the Internet to validate you.”
Yeah. And with that sentiment, Toya, how did you navigate co-parenting with someone in the spotlight?
Toya Johnson
Wayne and I have always had a really good relationship. Even though he’s always on the road and working, we managed to keep a solid co-parenting dynamic. Reginae would go out there and spend time with him, live that tour life for a little bit, then come back home, back to school, and back to reality.
We definitely played good cop, bad cop for the longest. When she was younger, she got spoiled because her daddy was like, “Let her have it. Let her have it. Let her have it.” But I always told him, “That’s not how real life works.” Not everything is just handed to you.
Now, she understands that. She’s learning that in her acting career. When she walks into those audition rooms, they don’t care whose daughter she is. She has to prove that she’s talented, that she can deliver those lines, that she can slay that role. If not, they’ll move on to the next person who can.
She’s gotten plenty of rejections, some no’s, and some yes’s, but it makes her work even harder. She understands now — if you want something, you have to work for it.
Perfect. And final question — what are you both most excited for people to see in the season two premiere?
Toya Johnson
What I’m most excited about in the season two premiere is just … I want people to know that in life, we all go through things. Nobody is perfect. Nobody’s family is perfect. Everybody has their ups and downs — it’s about how you deal with things and get through them.
And what I’ve learned this season is all about setting boundaries and being okay with that. Because sometimes, you say you’re going to do something, and you set that boundary, but when it’s people you love, it’s hard to follow through. This season, I learned that no matter who it is or what it is, if it does not bring you peace — if it disrupts your peace — you have to learn how to either deal with it from a distance or not deal with it at all.
Reginae Carter
Let it go!
Okay, I learned that, too. I moved to L.A. this season, so you’re going to see me transitioning and learning to get uncomfortable in order to get comfortable again.
When I was in Atlanta, I felt very stagnant, very comfortable. And I’m just like, Yeah, I’m glad I made that move. I’m glad I got to experience this time and learn about myself. Moving away is really hard.
So I just want to give advice to people watching—sometimes, you just have to get up and do it. You never know. You might come back, or you might not. It might be the best move, or it might be the worst. But you won’t know unless you try.
Photography by Jayvone Paige
