Tameka “Tiny” Harris: The Secrets and Scandals Behind the Spotlight

If you think soap operas are dramatic, you haven’t heard the story of Tameka “Tiny” Harris. From singing her heart out with Xscape to starring in reality TV and navigating more relationship drama than a season of “Love & Hip Hop,” Tiny’s life has been a rollercoaster ride filled with secrets, scandals, and survival.

Born Tameka Diane Cottle on July 14, 1975, in College Park, Georgia, Tiny grew up in a musical family—her father was part of the R&B group The Tams.

She discovered her voice early, singing before she could even ride a bike. But her childhood wasn’t perfect; her parents split when she was five, and her mother had to hold the family together. Music became Tiny’s escape, and with vocal coaching, she honed her natural talent.

Tiny’s big break came in 1992 when she joined Xscape, a girl group that had already formed at Tri-Cities High School. After some lineup changes, Tiny was brought in, and the group soon wowed producer Jermaine Dupri at his birthday party.

He signed them to So So Def, and their debut album, “Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha,” went platinum with hits like “Just Kickin’ It” and “Understanding.” Xscape quickly became one of the hottest R&B girl groups of the ‘90s.

But fame brought its own problems. The group faced a lawsuit from Cypress Hill over their album title and soon after, internal drama erupted.

Creative differences, favoritism from Jermaine Dupri (who often chose Kandi Burruss for lead vocals), and management issues with LaTocha Scott’s husband Rocky Bivens all contributed to a messy breakup in 1998.

Rumors flew about money, egos, and even romantic entanglements. Attempts at reunion only reopened old wounds, as seen on their reality show “Xscape: Still Kickin’ It,” which was packed with arguments and tension.

Outside the group, Tiny proved she was more than just a singer. She and Kandi co-wrote TLC’s mega-hit “No Scrubs,” earning a Grammy and substantial royalties. Her songwriting chops made her a force behind the scenes.

Tiny’s personal life was just as dramatic. She married rapper T.I. in 2010, and together they starred in “T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle.” Their blended family and marital ups and downs—cheating rumors, social media drama, and even a near-divorce—played out for the world to see. In 2021, the couple faced serious sexual assault allegations, which they denied, but the scandal led to their show’s suspension and threatened their public image.

Despite the chaos, Tiny kept hustling. She became executive producer of “The Mix” on Fox Soul, launched a perfume line, and opened a juice bar, building a net worth of about $30 million. She’s also been candid about her cosmetic surgeries, including a controversial eye color change done in Africa.

Through every twist and turn, Tiny has proven she’s a survivor. Whether making music, producing TV, or facing down scandals, she always bounces back—showing that even if she’s “Tiny” in name, her impact is anything but small. Her story is still unfolding, and you can bet she’ll keep us watching.