Some teachers can quiet a whole room without raising their voice. Tiana is one of them. She taught secondary school maths in London for 22 years, and she still has the look. It says she knows you didn't do your homework, and she isn't even angry. She's just curious how you'll explain it.
She's 52 now, divorced, with two grown kids and a lot more time to herself. She says she's spending that time on fun, mostly. We sat down with her over a pot of very strong tea (she insisted) to find out what that means.
The Tiana File
- Age: 52
- Based in: London
- Background: Black British
- Former job: Secondary school maths teacher
- Family: Two grown children
- Status: Divorced
- Hair: Long, black and wavy
- Height: 5'7"
- Bra size (UK): 36G
- Bust / waist / hips: 45 / 30 / 45 in
- Figure: Full hourglass
- Known for: The raised eyebrow
The Interview
What do people think when they first meet you?
That I'm strict. Twenty-two years of teaching does that to a face. I am strict about homework, and about people being rude to waiters. Everything else, I'm a big softie. I cried at a washing powder advert last week.
Was teaching maths ever boring?
Marking was boring. The kids never were. There's a moment when a child who has decided they're hopeless suddenly gets it, and their whole face changes. I miss that more than I thought I would.
Is being sexy at 52 different from being sexy at 25?
Completely. At 25 I spent half my energy wondering if people thought I looked good. At 52 I just assume they do and get on with my day. It saves so much time. (She laughs.) I'm not saying I'm right. I'm saying it works.
How was the divorce?
Awful at first. After that it was a bit like moving house. Lots of boxes, lots of mess, and then one morning you wake up and the place is yours. I'm not bitter. I just like the quiet now. And having the whole bed.
Best compliment you've ever had?
A man once told me my voice made him want to sit down and behave. I said, "Good. Sit." He did, too.
What turns you off straight away?
Jealousy. And anyone who's rude to the person serving him dinner. Those two are dealbreakers, no discussion.
What would surprise people most?
I sing the whole time I'm cooking. Loudly. Whitney, mostly, and I can't hit a single note. The neighbours know every word by now.
Quick Fire
- Tea or coffee? Tea, strong, two sugars. Don't judge me.
- Worst habit? Correcting people's grammar out loud.
- Guilty pleasure? Dating shows. I shout at the television.
- Dream holiday? A beach with no wifi. Zanzibar, if anyone's offering.
- Texting style? Full sentences and proper punctuation. Old habit.
Our Take
What stays with you after talking to Tiana is how calm she is. She doesn't hurry, she doesn't oversell, and she never seems to be waiting for you to say she looks good. She already knows. The curves, the long black hair and the slow smile are all part of the picture, but the voice is what people remember. It's low and warm and a little bit teasing, and it makes you want to listen.
Her photos have the same feel. She poses like a woman who is relaxed in her own living room, because most of the time she is. Our favourites are the simple ones, like the white tee and jeans on the staircase, where she looks like she's about to tell you off and invite you to dinner in the same breath.
If you like a woman with some history, plenty of humour and no interest in pretending to be 25, Tiana is very easy to like.
See More of Tiana
Her full page is right here, and you can browse everything she has shared on her pics page.
