Her makeup and purple hair shine in the light while she sits upright and holds the microphone. Women bring out cups of tea as she checks her watch and realizes it is time to start the show.
Tori Thompson, 23, is the host of “Tea Time with Tori,” a live and interactive talk show that discusses relationships and social issues affecting minorities and women, among many other topics.
Thompson graduated from the University of Memphis in December 2016 with a degree in communications with a sociology minor. After she graduated, she started working part-time as a sales consultant at CarMax but was also working towards another goal: hosting her own talk show.
Thompson said the idea of “Tea Time with Tori,” started as a joke, but she decided to make it a reality in 2017.
“My roommate at the time had purchased a perfect tea maker from Teavana because I drink tea everyday, and she wanted me to demonstrate how to use it,” Thompson said. “She pretended she was a customer and I had to sell her the tea maker. She said, ‘We’ll call it “Tea Time with Tori,’ she gave me the name.”
Thompson said “Tea Time with Tori” started as a blog, but she decided to make some changes.
“I was introduced to the concept by two of my former friends, and we ran with it,” Thompson said. “Honestly, back then everything came easily. We had a solid venue, we built a following very quickly and everyone was loving the show.”
Thompson hosted her first show in April 2017 at Newby’s on Highland Strip. She said the talk show was becoming a huge success, but a few problems surfaced.
“The obstacles really came when my friends decided not to continue with me, thus I was left to carry it out on my own,” Thompson said.
Thompson also said certain complications caused her to stop hosting at Newby’s and working with them, so she decided to start hosting at the U of M.
During the 2017 fall semester, Thompson hosted her show on campus and partnered with the Black Student Association.
Thompson has created some new projects, like “Brunch Time with Tori,” which mirrors “Tea Time” but with brunch, and Thompson Productions, which is a new registered student organization at the U of M.
Thompson said she decided to create the group because she wants her different shows to be under the same name to fulfill her dream of becoming a producer and to cater to the needs of college students.
“I started the organization at U of M because there are many students interested in film, television and other forms of media, but there are not many opportunities present in the city of Memphis, other than the news to pursue those dreams,” Thompson said. “Through my organization, students have a chance to get hands-on experience in those aspects.”
Thompson said “Brunch Time with Tori” mirrors “Tea Time,” but it includes brunch instead.
Thompson said her biggest inspirations as a talk show host are Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres.
“Oprah has been one of the most successful talk show hosts in the world,” Thompson said. “Now she has added producer credits to her resume and also owns a very prominent television network. While I don’t aspire to be Oprah herself, her career is admirable.”
Thompson said she is inspired by DeGeneres because she is an amazing talk show host and philanthropist who gives back to her audience, which Thompson hopes to do for Memphis.
“One day I plan to open a facility that will allow the youth to explore their talents in the production realm, whether it be film, television or music,” Thompson said. “I want to have a building that not only houses my shows, but also allows students and community members alike the opportunity to follow their dreams.”
Thompson will host a week of events for her organization at the U of M from March 26 to 30 that will consist of a bake sale, a “Tea Time” informational table and “Tea Time with Tori,” among many other events.
Tori Thompson is the host of "Tea Time with Tori." She has hosted the show at the UofM and other Memphis venues.
Tori Thompson, 23, is the host of "Tea Time with Tori." She hosted her first show in April 2017 and has created Thompson Productions, a new RSO at the U of M, and "Brunch Time with Tori."
Thompson Productions is a new RSO at the University of Memphis. Thompson created the organization in December 2017 for students interested in film, media, music or television.
