Mimi Faust is one of the most recognizable faces on reality TV. Fans know her from VH1’s Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, where her love life played out on screen. Behind the drama is a woman who survived a very hard childhood, built her own business, and kept working in the spotlight for years.
So how much is Mimi Faust worth today? Below you will find her estimated net worth, her income sources, and the key moments that shaped her career.
Mimi Faust Net Worth at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Estimated net worth | $2 million |
| Reported salary | About $20,000 per episode |
| Profession | Reality TV star, businesswoman, interior designer |
| Known for | Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta |
| Birth name | Oluremi Fela James |
| Born | January 3, 1972, Newport News, Virginia |
Like most celebrity net worth figures, this number is an estimate. It is based on public reports about her TV pay, business ventures, and other earnings. The real number can change over time.
Who Is Mimi Faust?
Mimi Faust is an American reality TV personality, entrepreneur, and interior designer. She became a household name when she joined Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta in 2012.
She earned her spot on the show through her relationship with music producer Stevie J. He had worked with major names in hip-hop, including P. Diddy, Lil Wayne, and Jay-Z. That connection put Mimi at the center of one of the show’s biggest storylines.
Mimi Faust’s Early Life
Born in Virginia, Raised Between Two Worlds
Mimi Faust was born Oluremi Fela James in Newport News, Virginia. Her mother was involved in the Church of Scientology. In her early years, Mimi grew up in Atlanta with her older sister and brother and was surrounded by African culture.
A Childhood Changed by Scientology
Everything shifted when Mimi was about eight years old. Her mother moved her to California and committed both of them to Scientology. Mimi has said the lifestyle meant a strict daily routine, heavy study, and very little family time.
By age 13, Mimi had made a hard choice. She has said she refused to join her mother in the organization. In a 2014 interview, she explained that she was called a “freeloader” because she lived there but would not work for the church or follow its beliefs. She was left to take care of herself at a very young age.
Finding Her Father and Her Name
With help from friends, Mimi was able to finish school. She also reconnected with her older siblings and learned they did not share the same father. That discovery led her to search for her own dad, Lawrence Faust, an artist from upstate New York.
She built a close bond with him, learned she had eight other brothers and sisters, and took his last name. He passed away in 2014.
In 2017, Mimi shared her story on the TV series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath. She spoke openly about how she felt abandoned by her mother after refusing to sign on to the organization.
Mimi Faust’s Career
Music Video Appearances
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Mimi worked as a video model. She appeared in music videos for artists such as:
- Kelly Price, in “It’s Gonna Rain”
- Pharrell Williams, in “Frontin'” featuring Jay-Z
These roles gave her early industry exposure and helped her build connections in the entertainment world.
Keep It Clean, Inc.
Mimi is also a businesswoman. She founded Keep It Clean, Inc., a company based in the Stone Mountain area of Atlanta. The company offers cleaning and interior design services, and it has served the homes of celebrities.
Owning a business gives her an income stream outside of television, which matters because reality TV work can be unpredictable.
Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta
In 2012, Mimi joined the cast of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta. She appeared alongside her then-boyfriend Stevie J, the father of her daughter. Other cast members included:
- Joseline Hernandez
- K. Michelle
- Rasheeda
- Karlie Redd
Her main storyline was a love triangle with Stevie J and Joseline Hernandez. It became one of the most talked-about plots in the show’s history. Her reported pay of around $20,000 per episode is the biggest driver of her net worth.
Mimi Faust’s Income Sources
Here is how Mimi Faust likely makes her money:
- Reality TV: Per-episode pay from Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta
- Business: Her cleaning and interior design company, Keep It Clean, Inc.
- Media projects: Interviews, appearances, and special releases tied to her fame
- Brand and social media work: Typical for reality stars with a large fan base
The 2014 Video Release
In 2014, a video featuring Mimi and her then-boyfriend Nikko London became public. It was titled Scandal in Atlanta and was released by adult entertainment company Vivid Entertainment. It went on to become one of Vivid’s most popular titles.
In 2015, it earned a nomination for the AVN Award for Best Celebrity Sex Tape. Mimi lost that award to Tila Tequila.
Mimi’s account of how the video surfaced has changed over time. After its release, she said her luggage had been stolen and that the video was inside, and that someone then sent it to Vivid anonymously. She has also acknowledged that the video was staged. Reports say she earned more than $30,000 from the project.
Mimi Faust’s Personal Life
Her Daughter and Relationship With Stevie J
Mimi describes herself as a “self-made dance machine, potty mouth, and a mother.” She and Stevie J share a daughter, Eva Giselle.
Stevie J’s wealth was once reported at more than $20 million, but poor money management nearly cost him it all. Mimi is said to have played a major role in helping him rebuild his career and finances. Even so, the relationship was marked by infidelity, and the couple eventually split. Stevie J later became involved with her castmate Joseline Hernandez.
The 2019 Home Invasion Claim
When the Season 8 trailer of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta came out in 2019, Mimi shared a frightening story. She said she was taking out the trash at night when she saw a man sitting in her car inside her garage. She said he shot at her but missed, and she pointed to a bullet hole in the car’s roof as evidence.
No news reports of the incident surfaced at the time, and some fans doubted her story. There is no proof either way, so it is best treated as her own account.
Reported Tax Problems
Also in 2019, reports said Mimi owed about $156,910 in back taxes to the IRS, covering multiple years. The reported breakdown was:
| Tax Year | Amount Reported |
|---|---|
| 2013 | $16,952.60 |
| 2015 | $59,487.09 |
| 2016 | $80,470.80 |
Reports also said the State of Georgia filed a lien of about $26,000 for unpaid state taxes from 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016. These were reported liens, and the current status is unclear. Debts like these can affect a person’s true net worth.
How Mimi Faust Built Her Wealth
Mimi’s story shows a few clear lessons:
- She used her connections. Her relationship with Stevie J opened the door to TV.
- She turned drama into income. Her storylines kept her on screen season after season.
- She built a business. Keep It Clean, Inc. gives her income that does not depend on TV.
- She never gave up. From being on her own at 13 to leading a major reality storyline, her path was far from easy.
Final Thoughts
Mimi Faust’s net worth of about $2 million reflects years in reality TV, a growing business, and a lot of resilience. Her early life was difficult, her career has had big highs and public lows, and she is still a familiar name in reality television.
Whether you know her from music videos, Love & Hip Hop, or her Scientology interviews, her story shows how far a person can come from a tough start.