Tiffany Pollard (born January 6, 1982)[1] is an American television personality. She became a leading figure for starring on the first two seasons of VH1's Flavor of Love (2006–2007), where she was given the nickname "New York" by rapper Flavor Flav.[2] Following her major success on that show, Pollard began starring in numerous spin-off series including most notably I Love New York (2007-2008).
In subsequent years, after momentarily taking a step back from the spotlight, Pollard returned to the reality television landscape in the internationally acclaimed British edition of Celebrity Big Brother in 2016, where she eventually took fourth place. In 2017, she began starring in Brunch with Tiffany, a popular talk show series developed for VH1's YouTube, which was later picked up making it's debut on the VH1 television network during late 2020. In 2022, Pollard began hosting Hot Haus, a reality competition which garnered significant mainstream notoriety for featuring OnlyFans creators competing to be named the next queer sex symbol on OutTV, the world's largest LGBTQ+ television and streaming network.[3] In 2023, Pollard became a lead castmate on College Hill: Celebrity Edition alongside Joseline Hernandez, Amber Rose, and Ray J. In 2024, she returned to E!'s House of Villains as a lead castmate once again. She has hosted the Fenty Beauty holiday gift guide twice at the request of Rihanna who's a fan of hers.[4][5][6]
Television appearances
Pollard rose to widespread fame with her starring roles on VH1’s hit shows, Flavor of Love (2006–2007) and I Love New York (2007–2008), which captivated some of the largest audiences on basic television.[7] The season 2 finale of Flavor of Love attracted over 7.5 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched events in television history.[7]
Pollard (then age 23) clashed with virtually all the other contestants. Although these feuds were, in general, nothing more than screaming matches, an incident in the penultimate episode of season one led to violence. After her elimination, an outraged Brooke "Pumkin" Thompson spat on Pollard after the two had exchanged words.[8] Of all the women on the show Pollard had the most tension with Thompson all throughout the show. Pollard vowed to "whoop Pumkin's ass", and attempted to do so at the season one reunion.[9] The moment was rated number one on various VH1 and MTV reality show specials, including VH1's 20 Greatest Celebreality Fights.[10] The final two contestants journeyed to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where Flavor Flav chose Nicole "Hoopz" Alexander over Pollard, to be his mate.[11]
After his relationship did not work out with Alexander, Flavor Flav chose to do a second season of his dating show and invited Pollard (then age 24) to help him eliminate contestants. She agreed and was later added as a participant.[12] In the finale, Flav chose Deelishis over Pollard.[13] Pollard verbally fought with Flav in the season finale, asking why he had brought her back only to be ultimately eliminated.[14]
I Love New York was Pollard's first reality television series on VH1. The series is a spin-off of another relationship competition series, the Flavor of Love, which featured Pollard as a finalist in two consecutive seasons. In July 2006, VH1 published a casting call for contestants for a new series tentatively titled The Flavorette. Various blogs speculated that the star of this program could be Flavor of Love season 1 contestant Rain, Hoopz (Nicole Alexander) or Pollard. Before the season 2 Flavor of Love finale, Pollard denied having her own show but after the finale aired, she confirmed she was the "Flavorette" and that she was already down to the final three contestants. The show premiered on Monday, January 8, 2007, and was the most-watched series debut in VH1 history with 4.426 million viewers.[15]
Its season 1 finale brought in 4.8M million viewers and its reunion show ratings held 5.01 million viewers. Spin-offs from the series include I Love Money, New York Goes to Hollywood, Real Chance of Love, New York Goes to Work, and Frank the Entertainer in a Basement Affair.
I Love New York 2 premiered October 8, 2007 on VH1.[16] In the finale of I Love New York 2, contestant "Tailor Made" (real name George Weisgerber) proposed to Pollard, but was turned down. The finale earned 5.4 million viewers. During the I Love New York 2 reunion special, Tailor Made proposed a second time and Pollard accepted. The reunion special earned 4.86 million viewers.[17][18]
New York Goes to Hollywood premiered August 4, 2008 on VH1. The eight-episode season follows Pollard as she tries to establish herself as an actress in Hollywood, California.
New York Goes to Work
New York Goes to Work premiered on May 4, 2009. The reality show followed Pollard as she searches for a regular job.[19] The jobs were selected by fans (via text messaging) from a list of three possible jobs for each episode. Pollard would receive a $10,000 bonus each week if she were able to impress her employer. However, if she quit, failed, or was fired, she would not receive a bonus for the week. Pollard won $45,000 over the series, and earned bonuses in four jobs (in episodes 1, 2, 5, and 6); she lost, failed in, or quit four jobs (in episodes 3, 4, 7, and 8); and come to a draw in the season finale. At the end of the series, a mobile poll was presented giving three choices for New York's next task, and the most votes were cast for I Love New York 3.
I Love New York 3
Production for I Love New York 3 was set to kick off sometime in the first quarter of 2010; however, prior to that time frame, VH1 requested immediate cancellation of the "celebreality" franchise and shelved plans for I Love New York 3. In the summer of 2011, Pollard hinted that I Love New York 3 was cancelled due to the murder-suicide case of Ryan Jenkins, who was a former contestant of Megan Wants a Millionaire.[20]
Brunch with Tiffany
In 2020, Pollard's popular YouTube series Brunch with Tiffany was picked up by the VH1 television network making its debut during late 2020. The show was previously in production since 2017. The series "follows Pollard as she gathers around the tables of the hottest restaurants with her famous friends for free-flowing conversations and cocktails." The pilot episode premiered September 7 and featured Cyn Santana and Fizz.[21][22]
Other appearances
On April 14, 2015, Pollard had a special guest starring role on the E! Network series, Botched, where she detailed her botched surgeries that have left her breasts sagging with extra skin. Before going under the knife, Pollard had also thrown herself a party at a historic hotel hideaway in Beverly Hills to celebrate her impending transformation.[23][24][25] In 2016, Pollard entered the Celebrity Big Brother house in the United Kingdom to participate in the show's 17th season. She was involved in an infamous misunderstanding in which Pollard believed that David Gest had died of cancer inside the house; it subsequently turned out the deceased was David Bowie, the ex-husband of Pollard's fellow housemate Angie Bowie.[26] Throughout her time on the show, Pollard proved very popular with the British public and achieved the most votes to save her over her fellow contestants on at least one occasion. On February 5, Pollard made the final and came in fourth place, ranking higher than any other American female who had ever been on the show before.[27] Due to her newfound public prominence overseas, Pollard appeared in many UK publications including New! magazine. She also became a regular fixture on the Big Brother spin off show Big Brother's Bit on the Side, during Big Brother 17 (UK). Later on during 2016, Pollard had signed on to become a lead castmate on the American reality series, The Next :15.[28] Later on that same year, Pollard also became a lead castmate on Family Therapy with Dr. Jenn.
Pollard broke racial barriers, becoming a symbol of empowerment and earning recognition as one of the most influential personalities of her generation.[37][38][39][40][41]
Pollard's success on television was so monumental that it played a pivotal role shaping reality television. She became one of the most recognized figures of early 2000s television and one of the most enduring figures of the reality television genre. Pollard remains a lasting and relevant figure in media and continues to be celebrated in internet culture extensively, ensuring that she remains relevant beyond television appearances.[42][43][44][45][46]
Pollard has been referred to as the "queen of reaction memes" due to the large number of gifs featuring her that are widely used across social media.[47][48][49] A notable example is of Pollard getting up at a table and walking away.[50]
Pollard's personal life has been heavily documented in the media. The early years of her fame were particularly filled with intense media scrutiny.[54][55][56][57][58][59] She was engaged to the I Love New York season 1 winner Patrick "Tango" Hunter for a six-month period until Hunter called off the engagement on the reunion show.[60] She was also engaged to George "Tailor Made" Weisgerber, the winner of I Love New York 2. She announced on episode 6 of her show, New York Goes to Hollywood, that she had officially separated from Weisgerber.[61]
Despite her larger-than-life persona, Pollard has been candid about her personal struggles.
In an episode of Brunch with Tiffany, Pollard revealed that she has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.[62]
Over the years, Pollard has undergone multiple cosmetic procedures. In 2019, Pollard decided to remove her breast implants. The procedure was documented on the reality television series Botched.[63]
Pollard experienced a tragic miscarriage of her child after she dealt with significant stress from her mother who was strongly chastised by psychologist Jenn Mann on Family Therapy with Dr. Jenn for refusing to believe Pollard was pregnant.[64]
On November 23, 2020, during the I Love New York: Reunited special, Pollard announced her third engagement, later revealed to be to a man named Jimmy Stewart.[65][66]
On March 27, 2023, Pollard advocated for queer people in a TikTok video on OutTV's page. She ended the video with her identifying as queer as well.[67] She was asked about this in a 2024 televised interview with Jason Lee on The Jason Lee Show, where she elaborated stating "I have lived a very, very broad life. I’ve never been afraid to do anything that I wanted to do. I’ve seen it all, I’ve been it all, and you know, I’m good at it all. Real good at it all.”[68]
In Popular Culture
In July, 2022, Flo Milli released her debut album You Still Here, Ho? from RCA Records, which features an introduction with Pollard, who shares that she's the "original HBIC" and adds that Flo Milli is the "princess of this rap shit." Pollard also appears on "Outro I Love New York". In promotional footage, "I Love New York" was flipped to "I Love Flo Milli", and Flo’s album cover features an homage to I Love New York. Her “Ice Baby” video, recreated the season 2 finale of Flavor Of Love, and also features an appearance made by Deelishis, who reprises her role.[69][70][71][72][73][74]
In May, 2023, Todrick Hall created an extended version of his hit “Y.A.S.” featuring Pollard. The music video includes various dance numbers to seven variations of the song, including two scenes featuring Pollard, with one inspired by The Little Mermaid. In an interview with Gaye magazine Hall stated "Watching her at work, I realized how genius she is firsthand. Her comedic timing was just on point for every single take"..."She delivered on every take, and it was all just so entertaining to experience.”[75][76][77][78]
^Breen, Matthew (January 7, 2007). "Who Loves You, Baby?". Out. Retrieved January 13, 2007. You have to stay tuned. It airs January 6, that's a very special day you cant miss it. It's my 25th birthday! [Actually the show began airing January 8, 2007]
