Charmaine Bey is an American media personality, entrepreneur, podcast host, and former reality TV star. She became widely known after appearing on VH1’s Black Ink Crew: Chicago.
Her career later expanded beyond reality television. She worked in Chicago radio, launched beauty and wellness businesses, wrote a children’s book, and created media projects with her husband, Neek Bey.
Today, Charmaine’s life is centered on family, business, and digital media. In 2026, she and Neek began a new chapter after moving their family to Kenya and celebrating a decade together with a vow renewal.
Who Is Charmaine Bey?
Charmaine Bey, whose birth name is Charmaine Johnise, first gained public attention through Black Ink Crew: Chicago. She joined the VH1 reality series in 2015 and became one of its recognizable personalities.
The show followed the lives and businesses surrounding 9MAG, a tattoo shop in Chicago. Charmaine’s outspoken personality and personal relationships helped make her a memorable part of the series.
She later moved into other areas of entertainment and business. Her work has included radio, podcasting, entrepreneurship, writing, and social media content.
Charmaine has also built a large online audience by sharing parts of her family life with Neek and their daughters.
Charmaine Bey Age and Early Life
Charmaine Bey was born on February 21, 1990. She is 36 years old in 2026, according to Famous Birthdays.
Some online sources have listed different information about her birthplace, so it is better to avoid presenting conflicting location details as confirmed fact.
Before becoming a reality TV personality, Charmaine attended Howard University. She studied Speech Pathology and Audiology and later developed a career that moved into media and entertainment.
Her time at Howard University also became important in her personal life because she met her future husband, Neek Bey, through the university community.
Charmaine Bey’s Parents and Family
Family has played a major role in Charmaine Bey’s life.
Charmaine has spoken publicly about losing both of her parents. Her mother passed away while she was pregnant with her first daughter, while her father died while she was carrying her second daughter.
She has described the loss of both parents as one of the most difficult experiences of her life. Her husband, Neek, became an important source of support during those years.
Charmaine has also used her own family experiences to shape her work. Her children’s book, Nubians Come in All Shades, was inspired in part by comments people made about her daughters’ appearance and skin tone.
Charmaine Bey on Black Ink Crew: Chicago
Charmaine Bey became a familiar face on Black Ink Crew: Chicago after joining the VH1 reality series in 2015. The show followed the staff and personal lives connected to 9MAG, a tattoo shop in Chicago.
Charmaine initially worked as a manager at 9MAG. Her strong personality quickly made her one of the show’s most recognizable cast members.
Her time on the series included both professional and personal storylines. Viewers saw her deal with workplace conflicts, relationships, business plans, and major changes in her personal life.
As the series continued, Charmaine also became involved with tattoo business projects. She eventually opened 2nd City Ink, expanding her role from reality TV personality into business owner.
Her relationship with Neek Bey also became part of her story on the show. The couple eventually married, while their growing family became another important part of Charmaine’s life.
Charmaine remained connected to Black Ink Crew: Chicago for several seasons. The series ended in 2022 after seven seasons, with Charmaine among its main or supporting personalities during much of its run.
Why Did Charmaine Bey Leave Black Ink Crew?
Charmaine eventually decided to leave Black Ink Crew: Chicago after years on the show.
In a later interview with ESSENCE, she explained that she had moved away from the lifestyle surrounding reality television and wanted to focus more on her family and personal goals.
She also left her radio career at Chicago’s WGCI around the same period. After moving to Los Angeles with Neek and their daughters, Charmaine began focusing more heavily on her family brand, podcasting, writing, and entrepreneurship.
Her departure marked a major change in her career. Instead of relying mainly on reality TV, she began building projects that gave her more control over her work and public image.
Charmaine Bey’s Radio Career
Charmaine Bey expanded her career into radio while she was appearing on Black Ink Crew: Chicago. She joined Chicago’s WGCI 107.5 FM in 2016 as a weekend host.
Her radio career continued to grow over the next few years. In January 2021, WGCI promoted her to a weekday midday host. Her show, Inside The Midday with Charmaine Bey, aired Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The show featured entertainment news, interviews, music, and different segments created around Charmaine’s personality. She also interviewed several well-known music artists during her time in radio.
Charmaine later left WGCI after moving away from Chicago. In an interview with The Fox Magazine, she explained that leaving radio was difficult because she enjoyed connecting with listeners. However, she wanted more time for her family and wanted to focus on new entertainment projects with Neek.
Charmaine Bey’s Business Career
Charmaine Bey has also developed a career as an entrepreneur. Before and during her rise in entertainment, she experimented with merchandise and other brand projects.
One of her newer businesses is Loc Bey, a hair-care brand created specifically for people with locs. Charmaine said her own experience with locs inspired the idea after she struggled to find products designed for this type of hair.
Loc Bey launched online in January 2024. The brand focuses on natural hair products designed for loc care, including non-toxic, organic, and sulfate-free options.
In 2024, ABC7 Chicago reported that Loc Bey products were also being sold at Solo Beauty Supply in Chicago. The company was expanding its product range with conditioners and leave-in treatments designed for locs.
Charmaine’s business journey shows how she has moved beyond reality television. Her work now combines media, beauty, entrepreneurship, and family-focused projects.
Charmaine Bey Husband: Who Is Neek Bey?
Charmaine Bey is married to Neek Bey, an entrepreneur and media personality who has also worked on business and creative projects with her.
Charmaine and Neek first connected through Howard University. The couple began their relationship in 2016 and have continued to build their personal and professional lives together.
How Did Charmaine Bey and Neek Bey Meet?
Charmaine Bey and Neek Bey met through Howard University. Their relationship began in July 2016, and the couple quickly became close.
They later married after several years together. Their relationship became known to fans through Charmaine’s time on Black Ink Crew: Chicago and through their own social media and media projects.
Neek has also supported Charmaine through major changes in her career and family life. Together, they have worked on projects involving media, business, and entrepreneurship.
Are Charmaine Bey and Neek Bey Still Married?
Yes. Charmaine Bey and Neek Bey are still married in 2026.
The couple marked 10 years together in July 2026. They also celebrated seven years of marriage with a vow renewal ceremony in Kenya. The celebration took place at Ubuntu Kreative Village after the family moved to Kenya.
Their move to Kenya represents a new chapter for the family. Charmaine and Neek have continued to focus on their children, businesses, and creative projects while building their life outside the United States.
Does Charmaine Bey Have Kids?
Yes. Charmaine Bey has two daughters with her husband, Neek Bey. Their daughters are named Nola and Charli.
Charmaine has often shared parts of her family life on social media. Her daughters have also inspired some of her creative work, including her children’s book, Nubians Come in All Shades.
Who Are Charmaine Bey’s Daughters?
Charmaine’s daughters, Nola and Charli, have grown up in the public eye through their parents’ social media content.
Charmaine has spoken about wanting her daughters to be proud of who they are. She created Nubians Come in All Shades after seeing comments about her children’s appearance and wanting to promote a positive message about Black children with different skin tones and features.
Charmaine Bey’s Family Life in 2026
Family remains an important part of Charmaine Bey’s life in 2026. She and Neek recently moved their family to Kenya, where they also celebrated 10 years together and renewed their wedding vows.
The couple included their two daughters in the vow renewal celebration, making it an important family moment as they began their new chapter in Kenya.
Charmaine Bey’s Businesses
Charmaine Bey has built several business projects outside of reality television. Her work includes beauty, wellness, media, and family-focused brands.
Loc Bey
Loc Bey is one of Charmaine Bey’s hair-care businesses. The brand focuses on products for people with locs and was inspired by Charmaine’s own experience with loc maintenance.
Charmaine has described the brand as a way to create products made with people who wear locs in mind. Loc Bey has also partnered with other Black-owned hair-care businesses on product collaborations.
The business fits naturally with Charmaine’s personal brand because her locs have been part of her public image for years. It also gives her a way to combine beauty, entrepreneurship, and her own experience.
Bey Moss
Charmaine Bey is also known for Bey Moss, a health and wellness brand she co-founded with her husband, Neek Bey.
The company focuses on sea moss products, including sea moss powder, gel, and capsules. Earlier company materials also listed other wellness products such as maca root.
Neek’s technology and business background and Charmaine’s media and sales experience helped shape the company. Their shared work on Bey Moss became another part of their transition from reality television into entrepreneurship.
Other Media Projects
Charmaine has also expanded into digital media with Neek. The couple created the Marriage or Mirage podcast, where they discuss relationships, marriage, and experiences from their own lives.
Their podcast also reflects Charmaine’s larger career shift. Instead of depending only on television, she has built projects that allow her to create content and work directly with her aaudience.
Charmaine Bey’s Children’s Book
Charmaine Bey is also an author. She wrote the children’s book Nubians Come in All Shades, which focuses on representation, identity, and celebrating differences among Black children.
Why Did Charmaine Bey Write the Book?
The idea for the book was connected to Charmaine’s experiences as a mother. She has spoken about comments made about her daughters’ appearance and skin tone.
Instead of allowing those comments to define her children’s experience, Charmaine turned the situation into a positive message. The book encourages children to appreciate different skin tones, features, and identities.
Nubians Come in All Shades became another way for Charmaine to connect her personal experiences with her work as an entrepreneur and media personality.
The book also reflects an important part of Charmaine’s life beyond reality television. Her work as an author allows her to focus on family, representation, and positive messages for children.
Charmaine Bey Net Worth
Charmaine Bey’s exact net worth is not publicly verified. Several websites publish estimated figures, but there is no reliable public financial record that confirms a specific amount.
Her income has come from different parts of her career. She has worked in reality television and radio, while also building businesses and media projects.
How Does Charmaine Bey Make Money?
Charmaine has developed multiple income sources over the years. Her career has included:
- Reality television through Black Ink Crew: Chicago
- Radio hosting at WGCI
- Podcasting and digital media
- Beauty and wellness businesses
- Brand partnerships and social media work
- Children’s books and other creative projects
Her businesses include projects such as Loc Bey and Bey Moss, while her media work with Neek includes the Marriage or Mirage podcast.
Some online platforms estimate her social media earnings based on audience size and engagement. For example, Hafi estimated her 2026 annual social media earnings at about $120,920 to $165,640. However, Hafi states that these numbers are algorithm-based estimates and have not been verified by Charmaine Bey.
For that reason, it is more accurate to say that Charmaine Bey’s net worth is unknown rather than report an unverified dollar amount.
Her growing businesses, media work, and large online audience continue to give her several potential sources of income in 2026.
Where Is Charmaine Bey Now in 2026?
In 2026, Charmaine Bey is living in Kenya with her husband, Neek Bey, and their two daughters.
The family relocated from Los Angeles to Kenya as part of a major new chapter in their lives. Charmaine and Neek have also been exploring life in Kenya, including real estate, relocation, travel, and new business opportunities.
What Is Charmaine Bey Doing in Kenya?
Charmaine and Neek have been documenting their experience in Kenya through social media and digital content.
Their move is about more than simply changing where they live. The couple has been exploring the country while learning more about its culture, lifestyle, business opportunities, and real estate market.
In July 2026, Charmaine and Neek also celebrated 10 years together and renewed their wedding vows in Kenya. The milestone marked another important moment for their family.
Charmaine Bey’s Career in 2026
Charmaine continues to focus on entrepreneurship, digital media, and family projects.
Her career has changed significantly since her Black Ink Crew: Chicago days. She has moved from reality television and radio into podcasting, business, writing, and online content.
Her current life in Kenya gives her another opportunity to build her personal brand while working on projects with Neek and spending more time with their daughters.
For Charmaine Bey, 2026 represents a major transition from her earlier television career toward family, business, travel, and a new life in Kenya.
Frequently Asked Questions About Charmaine Bey
How old is Charmaine Bey?
Charmaine Bey was born on February 21, 1990. She is 36 years old in 2026, according to Famous Birthdays.
Who is Charmaine Bey’s husband?
Charmaine Bey’s husband is Neek Bey. The couple met through Howard University and married in 2019. They have also worked together on media and business projects.
Does Charmaine Bey have kids?
Yes. Charmaine and Neek Bey have two daughters, Nola and Charli. Their children have also inspired Charmaine’s work, including her book Nubians Come in All Shades.
Where is Charmaine Bey from?
Sources give different information about Charmaine Bey’s birthplace. Famous Birthdays lists Chicago, while another profile lists Louisiana. Because of this difference, her exact birthplace is best described as not consistently reported.
What is Charmaine Bey known for?
Charmaine Bey is best known for appearing on VH1’s Black Ink Crew: Chicago. She later expanded her career into radio, podcasting, entrepreneurship, writing, and digital media.
What happened to Charmaine Bey’s parents?
Charmaine has publicly discussed losing both of her parents. She lost her mother while pregnant with her first daughter and her father during her second pregnancy. She has described those experiences as major moments in her life.
What is Charmaine Bey’s net worth?
Charmaine Bey’s exact net worth is not publicly verified. Some websites publish estimates, but there is no reliable public financial record confirming a specific amount.
Where is Charmaine Bey now?
In 2026, Charmaine Bey and her family moved to Kenya. She continues to focus on family, entrepreneurship, digital media, and projects with her husband, Neek Bey.
Final Thoughts
Charmaine Bey has built a career that goes far beyond reality television. She became known through Black Ink Crew: Chicago, later worked in radio, and expanded into podcasting, entrepreneurship, and writing.
Her personal life has also played an important role in her journey. She and Neek Bey have built a family with their two daughters, Nola and Charli, while working together on creative and business projects.
In 2026, Charmaine entered another major chapter after moving with her family to Kenya. She and Neek also celebrated 10 years together with a vow renewal.
Today, Charmaine Bey is focused on family, business, digital media, and building new opportunities with Neek. Her career continues to evolve as she creates a life beyond the reality TV world.
