Belle Collective

Belle Collective is an American reality television series that premiered on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) on January 15, 2021.^[1] The show centers on the personal and professional lives of five successful Black female entrepreneurs in Jackson, Mississippi, who collaborate to redevelop a struggling mid-20th-century historic district once known as a hub for Black-owned businesses.^[2][3] The series stars dynamic women including Lateshia Pearson, a real estate developer; Latrice Rogers, a salon owner; Marie Hamilton-Abston, a mental health entrepreneur; Tambra Cherie, an author and speaker; and Selena Johnson, an entrepreneur, with recent additions like Kerri Paul, a restaurant owner, joining in season 6.^[4][5][6][7] These "Belles" redefine the modern Southern belle archetype through their glamour, ambition, and commitment to community revitalization, while navigating friendships, family challenges, and business hurdles.^[2] Produced by Kingdom Reign Entertainment, the show emphasizes Black excellence and female empowerment in the South.^[2] As of November 2025, Belle Collective is in its sixth season, which premiered on October 3, 2025, continuing to explore evolving storylines such as romantic entanglements, career transitions, and personal losses among the cast.^[8] The series has garnered attention for its portrayal of unfiltered Southern drama and the entrepreneurial spirit of its participants, airing Fridays at 8/7c on OWN and available for streaming on platforms like Max and Philo.^[8][9]

Series overview

Premise

Belle Collective is an American reality television series on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) that chronicles the personal and professional lives of five successful Black female entrepreneurs in Jackson, Mississippi. The show centers on their efforts to redevelop the Farish Street historic district, a mid-20th-century area that was once a thriving hub for Black-owned businesses but has since declined. Through their collaboration, the women aim to revitalize the community while navigating friendships, rivalries, and individual business challenges, redefining traditional notions of southern belles as empowered leaders.^[2][10][3] The series employs a standard reality TV format, featuring confessional interviews where the women share their thoughts and emotions, group interactions during social events such as brunches and parties, and scenes depicting their entrepreneurial pursuits and interpersonal dynamics. Storylines often revolve around themes of empowerment, sisterhood, and reconciliation, as the cast members set aside personal differences to pursue their shared goal of community redevelopment. For example, events like Lateshia Pearson's Southern Belle Brunch serve as key gatherings that highlight their connections and tensions.^[2][11] Season 1 introduces the core cast and establishes initial rivalries among the women, particularly between different social circles in Jackson, while laying the groundwork for their collective endeavor. The narrative emphasizes their journeys in entrepreneurship and personal growth, culminating in steps toward unity for the Farish Street project.^[10][11]

Production

Belle Collective premiered on January 15, 2021, on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), marking the debut of a reality series centered on Black female entrepreneurs in Jackson, Mississippi.^[12] The show was developed following the success of Love & Marriage: Huntsville, another OWN unscripted series produced by the same team, as part of OWN's expanding slate of reality programming focused on Southern Black communities.^[2] The initial concept pitched by executive producer Carlos King highlighted the sorority culture among the cast, who are members of various historically Black sororities, emphasizing their efforts to redefine modern Southern belles through business and sisterhood.^[13] The series is produced by Kingdom Reign Entertainment, with Carlos King and Slane Hatch serving as executive producers.^[2] Additional executive producers include Rajah Ahmed, Brent Nisbett, and Jon Collins, overseeing production from pre-development through post-production.^[14] OWN has renewed the series multiple times, including an early renewal for Season 6 announced in December 2024, ahead of its October 2025 premiere, reflecting strong viewership growth among key demographics like African-American women aged 25-54.^[14][8] Filming primarily takes place in Jackson, Mississippi, capturing scenes at the cast members' homes, businesses such as Goddess Lengths Virgin Hair and Mint Dental MS, and social events like brunches in historic districts including Farish Street and the Fondren District.^[13] Each season typically consists of 10 to 12 episodes, supplemented by two-part reunion specials hosted by figures like Egypt Sherrod, which address ongoing dynamics.^[12] Production has faced challenges, including cast departures that required adjustments to filming schedules and narrative focus, as seen ahead of Season 6 with changes in the ensemble.^[15]

Cast

Current cast

Lateshia Pearson serves as the CEO of the National Women's Brunch Organization, a platform dedicated to empowering female entrepreneurs through networking events and economic education initiatives.^[16] A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, she leads House of Lateshia, blending her role as a motivational speaker and business strategist with personal storylines centered on her marriage to Glenn and navigating family dynamics.^[17] Latrice Rogers is an entrepreneur and CEO of Goddess Lengths Virgin Hair and E'Sensual Beauty, companies that have expanded her influence in the beauty industry since starting from her car trunk.^[18] As a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, she oversees House of Latrice, with her arcs highlighting business growth, including commercial real estate acquisitions to support other entrepreneurs, alongside her experiences as a mother.^[19] Marie Hamilton-Abston is a philanthropist and the CEO of Hamilton Davis Mental Health, Inc., recognized as the first African American woman in Mississippi to establish an opioid treatment center.^[6] Affiliated with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, her narratives explore considerations of retiring from her demanding career while pursuing romantic relationships, including managing multiple suitors. Tambra Cherie is an author, motivational speaker, and interactive media personality known for her work as a radio and TV entertainment correspondent.^[4] A longstanding member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, she focuses on themes of personal development and resolving interpersonal tensions within the group.^[20] Selena Johnson, who joined the cast in Season 5, is a beauty industry entrepreneur with ventures like the Selena Johnson Collection, emphasizing fashion and elegance.^[7] As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, her storylines address coping with the grief following her son's death and overcoming challenges in her professional endeavors.^[21] Kerri Paul, introduced in Season 6, is a businesswoman and owner of the Brick & Spoon restaurant chain, which operates locations along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.^[5] Her addition brings perspectives on balancing entrepreneurial demands, family life as a wife and mother of twins, and forging new friendships within the collective.^[8]

Former cast

Dr. Antoinette Liles appeared as a guest cast member in the first season of Belle Collective, bringing her expertise as a dentist and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. to the series.^[4] She introduced key themes of medical wellness and personal health empowerment among the group, sharing insights from her professional life in Jackson, Mississippi, where she founded Mint Dental.^[22] Liles departed after Season 1 primarily due to scheduling conflicts arising from her expanding dental practice and personal life demands, including a challenging divorce and the pressures of public scrutiny during the pandemic.^[23] Although producers have expressed openness to her return for future appearances, she has not rejoined as a regular.^[24] Aikisha Holly Colon joined Belle Collective in Season 2 and remained through Season 5, portraying her role as an entrepreneur and the wife of former NFL player Willie Colon.^[25] Her storylines emphasized balancing family life, business ventures in real estate and fitness, and navigating marital dynamics within the group's social circle.^[26] Colon exited the series in late 2024 following a live announcement on executive producer Carlos King's stream, citing ongoing on-show disputes and concerns over personal privacy invasions by producers, including the use of sensitive footage and planned storylines involving her husband.^[27] Her departure, alongside Willie's, marked a significant shift in the show's interpersonal dynamics, as the couple expressed gratitude for the platform but prioritized their well-being.^[28] Sophia "SoGucci" Williams, a fashion and beauty industry entrepreneur and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., was part of the cast from Seasons 2 through 5.^[29] She highlighted themes of style, self-empowerment, and entrepreneurial success, often showcasing her clothing line and real estate endeavors while fostering discussions on Black women's ambition.^[30] Williams announced her exit in early 2025 after receiving a renewal offer for Season 6, stating she felt "unprotected" by producers following the addition of new cast member Selena Johnson, which violated a no-contact order stemming from prior on-show altercations and heightened emotional strain.^[31] This decision came amid backlash from a controversial reunion interview, underscoring her need for a safer production environment.^[32]

Episodes

Season 1 (2021)

The first season of Belle Collective premiered on January 15, 2021, on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), introducing five accomplished Black women entrepreneurs in Jackson, Mississippi, as they navigate personal challenges, business ambitions, and interpersonal dynamics while attempting to collaborate on revitalizing the historic Farish Street district.^[1] The season consists of nine episodes that establish the group's foundational interactions, including Lateshia Pearson's signature brunches that spark both alliances and conflicts rooted in sorority affiliations, alongside individual storylines involving family pressures, career decisions, and early pitches for collective business ventures. Culminating in planning their inaugural collective event, the season highlights themes of sisterhood amid shade, with rivalries—particularly between Marie Hamilton-Abston and Latrice Rogers—emerging from differing approaches to empowerment and success.^[33] A two-part reunion special, hosted by Egypt Sherrod, aired on March 19 and 26, 2021, allowing the cast to revisit key tensions and reflect on the season's events.^[34]

Season 2 (2022)

The second season of Belle Collective premiered on July 29, 2022, on OWN, consisting of nine main episodes followed by a two-part reunion special, for a total of 11 installments.^[41] This season reintroduced the core ensemble of Black women entrepreneurs from Jackson, Mississippi—including Lateshia Pearson, Latrice Rogers, Marie Hamilton-Abston, and Tambra Cherie—while expanding the group with two new members: real estate agent Aikisha Holly-Colon from Jacksonville, Florida, and fitness trainer Sophia "SoGucci" Williams from Memphis, Tennessee.^[42] The additions brought fresh dynamics, as the newcomers navigated integration into the established circle, often sparking initial curiosity and later conflicts over personal boundaries and group loyalty.^[43] Throughout the season, key storylines centered on the women's business ventures and interpersonal strains, including ambitious events like empowerment brunches that devolved into heated confrontations, strained collaborations on community projects, and revelations about family pressures such as fertility struggles and infidelity suspicions.^[43] Tensions escalated as new cast members like SoGucci faced skepticism from veterans during group gatherings, while Aikisha's bold personality led to clashes over advice-giving and relationship meddling. Personal arcs highlighted emotional vulnerabilities, such as Marie's search for her mother and Lateshia's encounters with a persistent ex, underscoring the blend of professional ambition and private turmoil within the collective.^[43] The season concluded with the reunion specials, where unresolved issues, including DNA test results and rumored affairs, boiled over into explosive discussions.^[41]

Episode List

Season 3 (2023)

The third season of Belle Collective premiered on May 19, 2023, on OWN, featuring 12 episodes that delved deeper into the entrepreneurs' evolving dynamics amid professional ambitions and interpersonal conflicts in Jackson, Mississippi.^[44] The season highlighted intensified business rivalries, such as disputes over collaborative projects and brand loyalty, alongside personal struggles including marital strains and family interventions. A three-part reunion special hosted by Egypt Sherrod aired in January 2024, where the host addressed the season's major fallout, including physical altercations and fractured alliances.^[41] Throughout the season, central arcs included failed attempts at joint business ventures, such as the wig launch fallout that tested sorority loyalties, romantic entanglements like Glen's controlling behavior toward Lateshia, and explosive mid-season brunch gatherings that amplified personal betrayals and group divisions.^[44][54] These elements underscored the Belles' challenges in balancing multimillion-dollar enterprises with fragile relationships.^[45]

Season 4 (2024)

The fourth season of Belle Collective premiered on November 10, 2023, on OWN, comprising eight main episodes followed by a three-part reunion special that aired in January 2024.^[55] This season emphasized the group's recovery from prior interpersonal conflicts through reconciliations, such as Aikisha and Tambra mending their relationship, while highlighting new entrepreneurial ambitions like Lateshia's book launch and ongoing efforts to revitalize Farish Street.^[56] Family dynamics took center stage amid crises, including pregnancy announcements, gender reveal parties, therapy sessions addressing relational strains, and tensions around health initiatives like the Lupus Gala.^[57]

Season 5 (2024–25)

The fifth season of Belle Collective premiered on November 1, 2024, on OWN, consisting of 10 episodes including a two-part reunion special, and aired weekly on Fridays at 8 p.m. ET/PT, concluding on January 3, 2025.^[63][2] This season emphasized themes of transition and grief, as the group navigated realignments following internal conflicts, with new member Selena Johnson introduced to bring fresh dynamics while longtime cast members Aikisha Holly-Colon and Sophia "SoGucci" Williams announced their exits shortly after the reunion airing.^[64][30] Key arcs included Selena's integration amid her personal story of loss—particularly grieving the 2020 death of her son, Quincy Johnson, highlighted through emotional sessions with a medium and grief-focused events—and broader house shifts like reconciliations, health challenges, and entrepreneurial ventures amid marital strains.^[65][66][67] The season opened with efforts to mend group fractures, evolving from prior tensions into deeper explorations of personal healing and collective support, though underlying rivalries persisted.

Season 6 (2025)

The sixth season of Belle Collective premiered on October 3, 2025, on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), marking a continuation of the series' focus on the personal and professional lives of Black female entrepreneurs in Jackson, Mississippi. Airing weekly on Fridays, the season explores fresh dynamics among the cast, including new integrations and evolving relationships, while delving into ongoing dramas such as romantic entanglements, family tensions, and group conflicts. As of November 18, 2025, seven episodes have aired, with the season ongoing and a reunion special anticipated later in the year.^[70][71] Key story arcs this season highlight Kerri's efforts to balance her business commitments with family life and her integration into group activities, Marie's navigation of suitors amid considerations of retirement from certain professional pursuits, the delicate balance between Latrice and Kerri amid rumors and mediations, and Selena's processing of grief through personal events and relationship challenges. These themes build on prior tensions while introducing new layers of drama, such as revelations from direct messages and group trips aimed at reconciliation.^[72][73]

Episode 1: "Harpo, Who Dis Woman?"

Aired October 3, 2025. Chaos erupts at Marie's birthday party when both men she is dating, including her ex-husband, arrive unexpectedly, forcing her to confront her romantic choices. Selena expresses frustration with Mike's poor communication, straining their relationship, while Latrice overhears rumors about Kerri that threaten group harmony.^[71][72]

Episode 2: "POLYaMARIE"

Aired October 10, 2025. Marie faces a pivotal decision between suitors Cedric and Martin, ultimately choosing one amid emotional fallout. A miscommunication exacerbates Selena's doubts about her future with Mike, and Lateshia relaunches her Women Brunch Mississippi tour, bringing the group together for the first time this season.^[73][74]

Episode 3: "It Goes Down in the DMs"

Aired October 17, 2025. Selena addresses her grief and relational issues with Mike by hosting an All-White Affair event to support others facing loss. Matt confronts Kerri about neglecting their family due to her business focus, and a pool party hosted by the Rogers spirals when Glen's inappropriate direct messages to Amanda are exposed, igniting group-wide accusations.^[75]

Episode 4: "Trouble in Belle-adise"

Aired October 24, 2025. Amanda's disclosure regarding Glen's messages shocks the Collective, pushing Lateshia to an emotional breaking point. Marie and Kerri offer support to Lateshia, while Latrice attempts to mediate the escalating conflict between her and Lateshia, highlighting strains in longstanding friendships.^[76][77]

Episode 5: "Biloxi Blues"

Aired October 31, 2025. Following a crawfish boil event, Kerri organizes a group trip to the Gulf Coast in Biloxi to ease rising tensions within the Collective. However, underlying issues between Lateshia and Latrice intensify during the getaway, complicating efforts at reconciliation and underscoring Kerri's role in fostering balance.^[78][79]

Episode 6: "Girls Trippin'"

Aired November 7, 2025. On the Biloxi trip, Kerri hosts a Creole meal and surprises the group with an unexpected guest to promote unity. Lateshia and Latrice engage in a private conversation about the prior pool party drama, advancing their path toward resolution while Selena continues reflecting on her personal growth.^[80][81]

Episode 7: "Belle-ieve in Miracles"

Aired November 14, 2025. In an attempt to repair their marriage, Glen plans a surprise for Lateshia; Latrice confronts Cliff about the condo.^[82][83]

Reception

Critical response

Belle Collective has received a mixed critical response, with praise centered on its authentic depiction of Black female entrepreneurship and community bonds in Jackson, Mississippi, while some reviewers have critiqued its reliance on interpersonal drama that can feel formulaic. Early coverage highlighted the show's role in elevating underrepresented voices from the South, portraying the cast's efforts to revitalize the historic Farish Street district as a powerful narrative of sorority and economic empowerment.^[10] In a 2021 review, the show was described as an engaging "hot mess" that effectively captures the energy of real-life relationships among the women, blending their professional ambitions with personal conflicts in a way reminiscent of other reality formats, though questioning the depth of some cast members' claims to success. Later seasons have been noted for continuing this focus on community revitalization, with cast member Aikisha Holly-Colon's work on Farish Street—once a thriving Black business hub—showcased as a key example of the series' commitment to cultural preservation and economic uplift.^[84][85] Critics have commended the program's broader cultural impact, crediting producer Carlos King with placing Jackson on the national map by centering authentic stories from Mississippi's Black community, often overlooked in favor of larger urban centers. This emphasis on empowerment through collaboration has drawn comparisons to fellow OWN reality series like Ready to Love, both of which explore Black relationships and resilience within Southern contexts.^[86][87]

Viewership

The premiere of Belle Collective on January 15, 2021, attracted 262,000 total viewers and a 0.04 rating in key demographics, ranking 98th among the 150 most-watched original cable telecasts for the night. Initial episodes in season 1 averaged around 300,000 viewers, establishing modest but steady performance for OWN's Friday night lineup.^[88] Viewership trended upward in seasons 2 and 3, with select episodes surpassing 400,000 viewers and reunion specials peaking at 234,000 for the season 4 reunion finale in January 2024, reflecting growth of 25% in total viewers year-over-year during that period.^[89][90] By season 4, the series maintained strong engagement in targeted demographics, achieving an 8% increase in Women 25-54 ratings compared to season 3 and ranking as the #2 cable program on Friday nights among African American Women 25-54.^[91] However, later seasons showed declines, particularly in premieres; season 5's debut in November 2024 drew approximately 86,000 viewers, while season 6's October 2025 premiere averaged 109,000, down nearly 100,000 from prior season highs.^[92][88] Despite these dips, Belle Collective has remained OWN's top-rated original reality series overall, consistently delivering double-digit growth in African American Women 25-54 (up 36% for season 5 over season 4) and securing early renewals through season 6 due to its loyal core audience and competitive performance relative to other OWN unscripted programs like Love & Marriage: Huntsville.^[88][91][93]

Cast controversies

In 2022, during the second season of Belle Collective, cast members Marie Hamilton-Abston and Latrice Rogers clashed over longstanding fraud allegations known as "BundleGate," where Marie accused Latrice of appropriating her business ideas related to hair bundles without credit or permission.^[94] The dispute, which originated in season 1 and was revisited at the reunion, centered on claims that Latrice had mimicked Marie's entrepreneurial concepts for personal gain, leading to heated exchanges about authenticity and intellectual property within the cast's beauty industry ventures.^[95] These on-show accusations highlighted tensions over storyline originality, with both women defending their narratives amid accusations of theft and misrepresentation. Cast exits intensified off-screen drama in late 2024 and early 2025, as Sophia "SoGucci" Williams and Aikisha Holly Colon departed the series citing concerns over producer decisions and inadequate support. SoGucci, who joined in season 2, announced her exit on December 31, 2024, emphasizing a need to prioritize her blended family's healing after a physical altercation with her husband JJ's ex-wife, Selena Johnson, which resulted in charges and a temporary no-contact order.^[30] In a December 4, 2024, interview with producer Carlos King, SoGucci publicly called him out for failing to protect her by casting Selena without prior notice or consultation, despite the ongoing legal issues, which made her feel unsafe and undervalued on set.^[31] Aikisha followed with her own departure announcement during a live stream with King in late 2024, expressing frustration over perceived biases in production handling of cast dynamics, though specific details on her grievances remained limited.^[30] These quits prompted cast realignments for season 6, including new faces to fill the voids, while sparking discussions among fans about favoritism toward certain storylines. Other personal scandals further strained cast relations, including a 2022 sexual harassment lawsuit filed against Marie Hamilton-Abston's business by a longtime family friend, whom Marie described as an extortion attempt that nearly derailed her professional life and mental health.^[96] In August 2024, Latrice Rogers faced a separate civil suit from former employee Ada Green, who alleged unauthorized use of her photos in Goddess Lengths promotions without consent or compensation, resulting in a Hinds County jury awarding Green $150,000.^[97] Cheating allegations resurfaced in October 2025 during a season 6 episode, when Latrice's friend Amanda claimed Lateshia Pearson's husband, Glen Pearson, had sent her flirtatious DMs and danced inappropriately with her at a pool party, though both denied any affair occurred. Lateshia publicly expressed betrayal, accusing Latrice of orchestrating the revelation as a setup to sabotage her marriage during a couples' game segment.^[98] These controversies, including interpersonal conflicts and legal battles, contributed to fan backlash over perceived toxicity and uneven treatment but did not derail the show's trajectory, as OWN renewed it for season 6 premiering in 2025.^[30] The departures and scandals underscored broader challenges in managing cast protections and authentic storytelling in reality television.