Tyka Pryde is no stranger to transformation. With over a decade of design experience and credits on shows like Queer Eye and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, the award-winning creative has now stepped into the spotlight with her very own series, Design My Space Tyka Pryde, on BET Her.
The show, BET Her’s first-ever interior design and home renovation series, goes beyond simple aesthetics. Yes, there are bold textures, rich colors, and jaw-dropping reveals—but it’s the emotional storytelling that really sets this series apart.
“There’s a whole other facet to the show that is a lot about human transformation and helping people through tough times,” Tyka shared. “We had a four-time cancer survivor, people in recovery, and folks going through family issues. So, there’s a lot of tears and heart behind the homes.”
From PA to Powerhouse
Tyka didn’t come from a design school background—instead, she got her start as a production assistant on a home makeover show, learning everything on the job. That hands-on experience, along with her work on Queer Eye, helped her hone her collaborative skills and appreciate the emotional impact of design.
“I didn’t really realize it before, but when you see someone come into their newly transformed home for the first time and just fall to their knees in tears, you realize how deep it goes.”
TikTok to TV
Her journey to hosting her own show started where many modern stories do—on social media.
“I started posting interior design content on TikTok three years ago, which is actually what led to me getting my own show. TikTok totally changed my life,” she said.
Her comment section quickly became a hub of people who wanted beautiful homes but had no clue where to start. That realization helped her shape the mission behind Design My Space—empowering everyday people to create spaces that truly reflect who they are.
Big Impact, Small Budget
If you think you need a big budget to get that “Pinterest-worthy” home, think again. Tyka’s design philosophy is all about making the most of what you have. Her top tips?
“The biggest tool in our arsenal is paint. It’s probably the least expensive with the biggest impact. I also always tell everybody to hang curtains all the way to the ceiling and make sure they touch the floor—it instantly makes your space look more expensive and glamorous.”
She also recommends being strategic about where you splurge: save on rugs, but don’t be afraid to invest in art and lighting.
“Art is something you can have with you forever. And lighting is the most important element to the space for me.”
“The biggest tool in our arsenal is paint. It’s probably the least expensive with the biggest impact. I also always tell everybody to hang curtains all the way to the ceiling and make sure they touch the floor—it instantly makes your space look more expensive and glamorous.”
Designing with Identity
At the heart of Tyka’s work is the idea that your space should feel like you—not just a recreation of a TikTok trend.
“I see so many homes that lack personality and individuality. If we can bring your heritage into it—your ancestry, your favorite movie, a place you’ve traveled to—that’s what makes a space actually cool and different.”
That intentionality is especially important as a Black woman leading in a space that has often lacked diverse representation.
“I’ve always loved interior design since I was a kid and didn’t see many people at all that looked like me in the space. So it’s special to be in this position and inspire others. I think we’ve always been tastemakers in beauty, fashion, and design—it’s nice to finally get that recognition.”
The Beyoncé Dream
When asked what celebrity home she’d love to design, her answer was instant.
“Beyoncé. Beyoncé. Beyoncé is the only answer," she exclaimed. "I’d love to do her creative space—where she writes music or records. Somewhere that feeds her energy.”
The Emotional Blueprint
Design isn’t just about what you see—it’s also about how you feel. Tyka urges people to decorate with emotion in mind.
“Ask yourself, how do you want to feel at home? Joyful? Relaxed? Energized? For me, I want to feel peaceful, so I use a lot of closed storage to keep things clutter-free. That helps ease my mind and anxiety.”
As for creative blocks? They’re not even on her mood board.
“I’ve never experienced a creative block. Every project is new, and every person is different. That inspires me to keep pushing the boundaries.”
Design My Space Tyka Pryde is now streaming on BET Her and BET.com. If you’re ready to rethink your space—and your sense of self—Tyka Pryde is the name to know.
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Kayla Nicole is among xoNecole’s It Girl 100 Class of 2025, powered by SheaMoisture, recognized in the Viral Voices category for her work in media and the trends she sets on our timelines, all while prioritizing her own mental and physical health. As she puts it: “Yes, I’m curating conversations on my podcast The Pre-Game, and cultivating community with my wellness brand Tribe Therepē.”
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On The Pre-Game, which launched earlier this year, she has positioned herself as listeners “homegirl.” “There’s definitely a delicate dance between being genuine and oversharing, and I’ve had to learn that the hard way. Now I share from a place of reflection, not reaction,” she says. “If it can help someone feel seen or less alone, I’ll talk about it within reason. But I’ve certainly learned to protect parts of my life that I cherish most. I share what serves connection but doesn’t cost me peace.
"I refuse to let the internet consume me. It’s supposed to be a resource and tool for connection, so if it becomes anything beyond that I will log out."
Credit: Malcolm Roberson
Throughout each episode, she sips a cocktail and addresses trending topics (even when they involve herself). It’s a platform the Pepperdine University alumnus has been preparing to have since she graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism, with a concentration in political science.
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Tap into the full It Girl 100 Class of 2025 and meet all the women changing game this year and beyond. See the full list here.
Featured image by Malcolm Roberson
My main motive? Mostly, I hope that it will serve as a solid reminder to embrace all of the things that you adore about this time of year, so long as you do it in moderation and you weigh the costs.
Especially as far as drinking alcohol is concerned.
PRO: Manages Blood Sugar Levels
GiphyHere’s something that you may have never seen coming. Were you aware of the fact that alcohol can actually help to stabilize your blood sugar? Yep, according to the American Diabetes Association, so long as you leave it to no more than 1-2 cocktails a day, alcohol may be able to lower your A1C levels. Pretty cool, right?
CON: It’s a Carcinogen
GiphyAlcohol is a carcinogen. The reason why this should somewhat alarm you is because carcinogens are things (like tobacco, UV rays, processed meats, etc.) that can increase your chances of being diagnosed with cancer (especially mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach and breast cancer). There are various ways this happens including the fact that alcohol, specifically, can hinder your body from breaking down certain nutrients, it can cause your estrogen levels to spike and alcohol can also cause certain toxins to damage your DNA and certain bodily proteins over time.
PRO: Cultivates Euphoric Feelings
GiphyIf you find yourself feeling more euphoric while you’re enjoying a drink, it’s not all up in your head. Although, for the more part, alcohol is considered to be a depressant, when consumed in small amounts, it can provide a stimulant effect. This happens due to the fact that when you first start to consume alcohol, it causes the production of the feel-good hormone known as dopamine to increase — and since dopamine makes us all feel more relaxed and confident while heightening our senses of pleasure too…well, there you have it.
CON: May Increase Anxiety/Depression
GiphyAs they say, “what goes up, most come down” at some point — and that is what you have to be careful of when it comes to alcohol consumption. For instance, when you drink alcohol, although it tends to initially cause your dopamine levels to uptick, because it is a temporary bodily response, sometimes the dips are lower than the rises…and that is when anxiety starts to kick in. A similar point is made with depression because oftentimes, people with depression-related symptoms, will use alcohol as a way to deflect from what’s really going on with them — and that can make them feel even worse than ever once the buzz of alcohol starts to wear off.
PRO: Has Some Heart-Related Benefits
GiphyWhen it comes to your heart, there are interesting findings surrounding its relationship to alcohol. For instance, some research states that, so long as the consumption is moderate, alcohol can actually help to increase the good cholesterol in your system while also breaking down proteins that can potentially lead to blood clots; both of these factors alone can reduce your chances of dying from heart disease.
CON: Packs on Pounds
GiphyIt’s no secret that alcohol tends to contain quite a few calories. That’s why, it’s not uncommon for people who’ve lost weight to mention “I’ve stopped drinking” as one of the causes for the shed pounds. That’s not to say that there aren’t some alcoholic beverages that have less calories than others including vodka (133 calories per serving), white wine (148 calories per serving) and tequila (99 calories per shot). Just keep in mind that the more you drink, the more calories get into your system and the more weight you stand to gain.
PRO: Lowers Inhibitions
GiphyAlthough you really should only be uninhibited around people who you absolutely trust, if that person is your partner and you’re looking to have a pretty — eh hem — active evening, alcohol can certainly help to make that happen. The science of it all is the prefrontal cortex of your brain is what regulates your inhibitions and levels of self-control. Meanwhile, alcohol suppresses your inhibitions which can cause you to be more spontaneous and open to trying things that you might not immediately do if you were sober. And with the right individual, that can be sexually beneficial (emphasis on “right person”).
CON: Makes It Harder to Orgasm
GiphyOn the other hand, as odd as it may seem (in light of what I just said), if you have too much alcohol in your system, it could make climaxing difficult. That’s because orgasms happen, in part, due to your nervous system being stimulated — and since alcohol is technically a depressant…well, it could reduce nerve sensitivity (especially as far as your clitoris goes) for you while making it challenging for your partner to remain erect or have consistent stamina. And yeah, that sucks.
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‘Tis the season. And with that, if some wassails or hot buttered rums are in your immediate future — hey, don’t let me stop you — not even a lil’ bit.
All I’m saying is now that you know what alcoholic drinks have to offer (both ways), you can know exactly how to incorporate them into your holiday plans. Enjoy!
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