Today we’d like to introduce you to Catori Langley
Hi Catori, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I celebrated 5 years of Tori Talk in February of 2024 and it has been a blessing and a journey. I have grown my platform so much over these last 5 years to heights I never imagined in the beginning. I had the pleasure of expanding to my most recent venture Refined Taste a lifestyle and travel series that came about due to my love of travel and luxury. My first episodes were shot in Lake Como Italy and the responses to my content since then has been amazing. On Tori Talk I have interviewed some of my favorite celebrities, as well as, dynamic business owners and creatives who are doing amazing things for their communities. I do not take for granted how fortunate I am to be able to do work that fulfils me because it has truly been the joy of my life. Ever since I was a child I had a love for two things; people and storytelling. I always enjoyed meeting new people and hearing about their lives and what makes them who they are etc. so Tori Talk was a natural next step for me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would be lying if I said my road has been paved without my share of twist, turns and bumps along way but I honestly would not change a thing. Although I have been doing Tori Talk for 5 years my journey started in 2012 when I transferred to Howard University for undergrad. I was a communications major at my previous college but it wasn’t until I attended Howard that understood the full scope of my potential in this field. I fell in love with broadcast journalism there and started to really wonder what it would be like to have my own show. It was different time then when it comes to social media so the avenues available now were not available then. I would say my biggest struggle has been my fight for legitimacy. I think it is amazing that platforms like TikTok and Instagram have launched so many careers and changed the trajectory of lives but it has also made the practice of followers equalling ability to do the work a standard. I am considered a “micro-creative” because of my follower count and sometimes I feel I am overlooked for opportunities because of that. But when people do see and engage with my content I receive nothing but rave reviews and that is how I reach my target audience and create opportunities for myself. So my obstacle is really just a reminder to keep working, elevating and staying to course.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a journalist, red carpet correspondent, lifestyle vlogger and host based out of the DMV area. I specialize in celebrity and one on one interviews. I have been seen on Washington DC’s #1 morning show WTTG Fox 5 DC’s Celebrity Dish segment. I am mostly known for my web series Tori Talk with Catori Langley and for my lifestyle series Refined Taste. I am so proud of all the things I have accomplished under the umbrella of my platforms. I received my very first award the “Woman on the Move” award in March of 2024 from the Women Who Prosper Conference which that was truly a highlight. I loved it so much because the award was about giving flowers to up and coming female creatives in the DMV based on their accomplishments thus far. It made me feel my work was not only being appreciated but that people see a future and longevity for me in this field.
What’s next?
I am looking to grow both Tori Talk and Refined Taste internationally and for me as the person to be the go to host in the entertainment industry. I love red carpets and large conference corresponding so I hope to continue my work with that on a larger scale. I always want to do things that uplift and highlight my community as a Black women, so opportunities like hosting a panel discussion at Essence Festival, to interviewing people about street style at CultureCon, to interviewing our changemakers at the carpet of the NAACP Image Awards etc would be the dream.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://toritalkwebseries.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toritalkwcatori/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@toritalkwithcatorilangley
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@toritalkwcatori
