From her early days as a child on Bravo’s reality circuit to becoming a budding entrepreneur and a cast member on ‘Next Gen NYC,’ Ariana Biermann has navigated the complexities of growing up in the public eye with remarkable resilience, recently embracing her independence in New York City amidst significant personal changes.
Ariana Biermann is no stranger to the spotlight, having spent the majority of her life on reality television. Born on October 17, 2001, in Atlanta, Georgia, she was just seven years old when her mother, Kim Zolciak-Biermann, joined the cast of ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’ in November 2008. While her early childhood was largely away from cameras, her life quickly became a public spectacle, charting a unique path from a ‘TV tot’ to a recognized social media influencer and businesswoman.
Childhood and the Dawn of Reality Stardom
Ariana’s introduction to reality TV came with her mother’s role on ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta.’ This initial exposure, from 2008 to 2013, offered viewers a glimpse into her home life alongside her older sister, Brielle Biermann. Despite being a child, Ariana occasionally “stole the show,” as noted by Us Weekly, even hilariously proclaiming in a 2015 Instagram clip, “I think my mom’s going to be famous one day… she’s talented like me, kind of.”
Her early life was marked by her mother’s journey as a single parent. Kim Zolciak-Biermann welcomed Ariana following her divorce from her first husband, Daniel Toce. Though Toce initially disputed paternity, he was later confirmed as Ariana’s biological father, and court records indicate he was ordered to pay child support until Ariana turned 18, according to Marathi.tv and Celeb Suburb, as cited by Article No 1. Despite the challenges, Ariana has publicly expressed gratitude for her mother’s strength, once penning on Instagram in May 2018, “thank u for being the most incredible woman i know, i don’t know how you do it! ur not only the best mom but also my best friend!”
‘Don’t Be Tardy’ and Teenage Challenges
In April 2012, Kim and her husband, former NFL player Kroy Biermann, launched their own family reality series, ‘Don’t Be Tardy,’ which chronicled their lives raising their growing brood. Kroy officially adopted Ariana following his 2011 marriage to Kim, as reported by The Sun. The show provided an intimate look at the Biermann family, including Ariana’s adolescent years and the typical highs and lows that come with them.
During her teenage years, Ariana faced an unwelcome aspect of public life: body shaming. Her mother, Kim, revealed to Entertainment Tonight that Ariana’s Instagram posts were often flooded with cruel comments about her weight. Kim, a fiercely protective mother, consistently championed her daughter, emphasizing the importance of self-love regardless of size. On an episode of ‘Don’t Be Tardy,’ Kim offered Ariana a lesson in self-acceptance when she struggled to find prom dresses, a moment that resonated with many viewers.
A Journey of Transformation and Self-Advocacy
Instead of succumbing to negativity, Ariana channeled it into motivation, embarking on a fitness journey that led to a significant body transformation. By February 2019, her mother shared with Entertainment Tonight that Ariana had “lost, like, 30 pounds,” attributing it to consistent gym workouts and healthy eating.
This transformation, however, brought new challenges, with some online users baselessly accusing her of having an eating disorder. Ariana powerfully addressed these claims in a lengthy Instagram Story in July 2021, clarifying her progress. “I was 167 my sophomore year. 145 ish the end of my junior. Started really working out, eating healthy, etc. January of 2020. I am now 118 over a year-and-a-half later,” she wrote, as reported by People. She emphasized, “Please stop. I do not have an eating disorder. I worked my ass off to get to where I am today. I am not sick. This is ridiculous and awful to say to someone. Stop commenting on people’s bodies and worry about yourself.”
The Controversial Freckle Removal
A deeply personal and controversial incident from Ariana’s past came to light earlier this year. When she was just 14, Kim Zolciak arranged for Ariana to receive a facial, during which her freckles were allegedly lasered off without her knowledge or consent. Ariana recounted this “irreversible wrong” on her Instagram page, revealing that her mother had lied to the beauty technician, claiming Ariana disliked her freckles and wanted them removed. Ariana, who loved her freckles, expressed her ongoing efforts to replicate them with makeup. When confronted about the incident years later, Kim reportedly “just started laughing,” leading Ariana to characterize her mother as a “jackass” for not taking her wrongdoing seriously, according to Article No 3.
Venturing into Business and Higher Education
Beyond her reality TV presence, Ariana has also cultivated a career as a businesswoman and fashion designer. She is a co-founder of KAB Cosmetics, a makeup line she launched in 2018 with her mother and sister. Additionally, Article 2 notes her role as Chief Marketing Manager at KAB Cosmetics. Her resume also includes a stint as a caretaker at Petco in late 2019, demonstrating her commitment to animal welfare.
Academically, Ariana pursued higher education, enrolling in Georgia State University for a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from 2020-2024. This decision was influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, which altered her initial plans to attend Arizona State University, as discussed by Kim on ‘Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen,’ cited by Us Weekly in Article No 6. She graduated from high school via a Zoom ceremony in May 2020, with her mom proudly sharing her achievement on Instagram.
New York City and ‘Next Gen NYC’
In July 2024, at 22 years old, Ariana made a significant move, relocating from Atlanta to New York City to pursue her dream of launching a streetwear line. This new chapter is documented on ‘Next Gen NYC,’ a Bravo reality show that premiered on June 3, 2025. The series follows the children of famous Bravo personalities, including Gia Giudice and Riley Burruss, as they navigate adulthood in Manhattan.
Ariana embraced the show as an opportunity to showcase her independent adult life, distinct from her family’s previous reality ventures. She told Us Weekly in April 2025, “When our moms were on Housewives, we were kids. A lot of the time, people still think I’m 12 years old. They’re like, ‘Why are you wearing a bikini?’ I’m like, ‘Girl, I’m 23. I’m actually grown up now.'”
Recent Personal Developments
Ariana’s move to New York City was initially with her longtime boyfriend, Hudson McLeroy, an investor who also appears on ‘Next Gen NYC.’ Their relationship, which began in high school and experienced its share of ups and downs, became public in 2018. They briefly split before reconciling in 2022, often sharing heartfelt posts about each other on social media, including a grand gesture where Hudson surprised Ariana with her dream car, a BMW, in October 2023, as detailed by Us Weekly.
However, their nearly decade-long romance concluded in October 2025. Ariana announced their separation on her Instagram Story on October 14, 2025, stating, “Hudson and I have decided to go our separate ways. While these things are never easy, we both know it’s what’s best for us right now. We are so grateful for all the love and support you’ve shown us over the years.” Hudson reposted her message, confirming the split, according to Us Weekly.
The relationship also faced legal challenges when both were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. Ariana eventually pleaded guilty to reckless driving and possession of drug-related objects in 2025, according to court records cited by Us Weekly. Despite these difficulties, Ariana continued to express support for Hudson, even commenting “i’m so happy we got to do this together, i love you” on his promotional post for their Bravo series in April 2025.
Embracing the Future
At 23 years old (turning 24 in October 2025), Ariana Biermann is continually evolving. Her journey from a child star on ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’ to an independent young woman navigating the business and fashion worlds in New York City, all while openly sharing her personal growth and struggles, makes her a compelling figure. She remains a co-founder of KAB Cosmetics and is now a participant in ‘Next Gen NYC,’ ready to define her identity on her own terms.
Her candidness about body image, her fitness journey, and even the difficult revelation about her freckle removal highlight a fearless approach to sharing her authentic self. As she continues to forge her own path in the fashion industry and on reality television, Ariana Biermann’s transformation is far from over, promising more “amazing positive things to come.”
A Timeline of Key Moments in Ariana Biermann’s Life:
- October 17, 2001: Born in Atlanta, Georgia.
- November 2008: Introduced to television on ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta.’
- April 2012: Began starring on the family reality show ‘Don’t Be Tardy.’
- Circa 2015-2016 (age 14): Freckles allegedly removed without consent by her mother.
- February 2019: Revealed significant weight loss of 30+ pounds.
- May 2020: Graduated from high school via Zoom.
- July 2021: Addressed eating disorder claims on Instagram, detailing her fitness journey.
- July 2024: Relocated to New York City.
- June 3, 2025: Celebrated the series premiere of ‘Next Gen NYC.’
- October 14, 2025: Confirmed split from longtime boyfriend, Hudson McLeroy.
