ALYSSA MICHELLE STEPHENS (LATTO)
Mixed (African American, White, Native American)
Quick Facts
Quick answer: Latto is mixed race and biracial, with a Black father and white mother. Born Alyssa Michelle Stephens, she has an African American father (Shayne Stephens) and a white mother (Misti Pitts). She also has Native American ancestry. Her mixed-race identity became part of her public persona when she adopted the stage name "Miss Mulatto" before changing it to Latto in 2021.
Is Latto Mixed Race? Is She Biracial?
Yes, Latto is definitively mixed race and biracial, identifying explicitly as such throughout her career. Her father Shayne Stephens is African American, while her mother Misti Pitts is white. She also has Native American ancestry. Latto's mixed-race identity was initially reflected in her former stage name "Miss Mulatto," which she adopted when beginning her rapping career, though she later changed it to Latto in 2021.
Latto has been open about experiencing bullying in school for being light-skinned, which led her to emphasize her mixed-race identity through her stage name as a form of reclamation and pride. Her journey reflects the complex experience of biracial individuals navigating identity in a society with specific racial categories.
What Is Latto's Ethnicity?
Latto's ethnicity is mixed, encompassing African American heritage from her father, white American heritage from her mother, and Native American ancestry. This multiethnic combination reflects contemporary American diversity and the reality of many biracial families in the United States.
Her African American heritage connects her to Black cultural traditions and hip-hop culture, while her white heritage represents European American ancestry. Her Native American ancestry adds additional complexity to her identity, representing indigenous American heritage.
Father's Side: Shayne Stephens
Shayne Stephens is African American, representing Latto's Black heritage. While specific details about his family background remain less publicly documented, his African American identity grounds Latto's connection to Black culture, hip-hop tradition, and African American experience.
Mother's Side: Misti Pitts
Misti Pitts is white American. She represents the European American heritage in Latto's family. Misti is an American citizen of white ethnic background, contributing to Latto's mixed heritage.
Grandparents: A Complete Picture
Paternal Grandfather: Shayne Stephens' father was African American.
Paternal Grandmother: Shayne Stephens' mother was African American.
Maternal Grandfather: Misti Pitts' father was white American.
Maternal Grandmother: Misti Pitts' mother was white American.
In Their Own Words
Latto has discussed her mixed-race identity openly, stating that she is biracial with a Black father and white mother. Her choice to adopt "Miss Mulatto" as her stage name reflected her explicit acknowledgment and celebration of her mixed heritage. Her later change to "Latto" represented an evolution in how she wanted to be identified, though her mixed-race identity remains central to her persona.
She has spoken about being bullied for her light skin and light eyes, which inspired her stage name selection. Her experience reflects the complexity of mixed-race identity in African American communities where colorism and light-skin privilege are real phenomena.
Is Latto Alive?
Yes, Latto is alive and continues her career as a rapper and performer. Born on December 22, 1998, she remains active in hip-hop, releasing music and collaborating with other artists.
Visual Family Tree
LATTO
(Mixed Race Biracial) (African American, White, Native American)
SHAYNE STEPHENS
(African American)
African American
Grandfather
MISTI PITTS
(White American)
White American
Grandfather
African American
Grandmother
White American
Grandmother
Sources
EthniCelebrity Research Team
Ethnicity & Heritage Writers
Our team specialises in researching and documenting the ethnic backgrounds, nationality, and ancestry of public figures — drawing on genealogical records, interviews, and verified biographical sources.