Photos | Toya: The Early Years

See Toya's early years in the NOLA.

Toya - Toya and her daughter get beautified.

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Toya: The Early Years - Before we became familiar with Toya's glamorous role as a reality star, author and supermom, she was raising Reginae and married to rapper Lil Wayne in NOLA. Let's take a look at Antonia "Toya" Carter before her name was in lights.

Toya - Not long after she met Lil' Wayne, Toya gave birth to their daughter, Reginae.

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Meet Baby Carter - Toya had Reginae Carter when she was 14 years old. Although she was young, she had the full support of the father of her child, Dwayne "Lil Wayne" Carter.

Toya - Toya was just 15 when she had Lil' Wayne's child.

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Peas in a Pod - Toya and Reginae have always been close. Toya says she wanted to make sure she had the relationship with her daughter that she didn't get to have with her own mother.

Toya - Toya and Lil' Wayne were married, but it did not last. Lil' Wayne's rise to fame was partly to blame.

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Put a Ring on It - Toya and Lil Wayne met when they were only 12. They were married on Valentines Day in 2004. The couple already had a child together, and they were in wedded bliss.

Toya - A young Toya crosses her legs and tries to look grown.

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Twins - Now we know where Reginae gets her good looks. She's the spitting image of her mother when she was a child.

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Toya - Toya did have a life before she met Lil' Wayne. This picture predates their fated meeting.

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Baby Fashionista - We don't know many babies who could put together beads and barrettes like Toya did. Did she know back then that one day she'd open Garb Boutique?

Toya - A teenage Toya marches down a rainy street.

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Ready for Her Closeup - Toya was always involved in school activities like cheerleading and band. She must have had a feeling that one day she'd be a star.

Toya - Toya did not have the easiest upbringing. She was separated from her siblings. Her father was absent, and her mother battled drug abuse.

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It Wasn't Easy - Even though her father was absent and her mother was struggling with drug addiction, Toya continued to stay in school. Her strength in the face of adversity as a child helps explain why she's so strong today.

Toya - Toya has a good time!

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Playtime - Although Toya became a mom at a young age, she still knew how to have fun like the teenager she was.

Toya - Toya and Reginae, who wears a T-shirt with her dad's picture, pose for the camera.

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Modern Day Renaissance Woman - Now Toya has her own reality show, she's authored two books and has opened Garb Boutique in NOLA. We can't wait to see what she does next.You can watch Toya's show, Toya: A Family Affair, every Tuesday at 10pm/9c on BET.