Shivangi Sinha
Netflix’s ‘Sneaky Links’ centers on personal growth and emotional readiness for lasting love. In the first season, relationship expert Spicy Mari guided participants through their journeys by hosting workshops, therapy sessions, and open conversations between couples and their potential partners. Her thoughtful approach created a safe space for participants to dig deep into their emotions and identify key areas for self-improvement. Many cast members expressed gratitude for her insight and acknowledged the value of her support and the clarity she brought to their experiences. Mari’s calm authority and expertise stood out, establishing her as a trusted voice in the world of relationships.
Spicy Mari Was Raised to Celebrate Both Her Black and Mexican Backgrounds
Spicy Mari, whose real name is Maricela Soto, grew up in California in a household led by her single mother, Fergi. From a young age, she was taught to embrace and celebrate her mixed heritage of being both Black and Mexican. Her journey into matchmaking and relationship coaching began by trying to help her mother find love. In interviews, Mari has reflected on how, as a child, she associated her mother’s romantic relationship with happiness, stability, and even small joys like family outings and new toys.
She began orchestrating casual matchmaking efforts, suggesting potential partners for her mom, including single dads from her school. While her mother eventually married three times, she also recognized that Mari’s talent went beyond childhood curiosity. Fergi saw a gift in her daughter and encouraged her to develop it into something meaningful. With her mother’s support, Mari started to turn her natural instinct into a career and looked for different career options that lay in front of her.
Spicy Mari’s Business Venture Started Taking Shape While She Was Hosting a Radio Show
Spicy Mari began laying the foundation for her future early on. In 2000, she enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media Studies. In 2003, she was selected for an exchange program with Spelman College, where she spent a year diving into Women’s Studies. It was a pivotal experience that deepened her understanding of identity, gender roles, and interpersonal dynamics. She completed her undergraduate degree in 2005 and then took a brief pause to explore her career options. In 2012, she joined AfterBuzz TV as a Program Manager, where her responsibilities spanned programming and production, opportunity analysis, and customer relationship management. While the role gave her a strong foothold in the media industry, it also made her realize that her true calling was elsewhere.
This led to the birth of The Spicy Life in 2014, a relationship consulting firm that Mari built from the ground up. Rooted in her signature S.P.I.C.Y. Fundamentals—Self, Passion, Intimacy, Communication, and saying “Yes”—the firm was designed to empower individuals and couples to create lasting connections. Through one-on-one coaching, workshops, media appearances, and digital content, she helped clients align their personal growth with their relationship goals. Still seeking to sharpen her expertise, Mari returned to school in 2015, enrolling in the University of Southern California’s Master’s program in Communication Management.
While pursuing her Master’s, Mari began to fully lean into her passion for relationship coaching and media. It was during this time that she launched her own radio show, where she first started rolling out dating advice to peers and listeners. This platform is also where she officially adopted the nickname “Spicy,” a term that came to represent her dynamic approach to love, identity, and connection. She got her start at Stevie Wonder’s station, KGLH, where she began sharing her signature “Spicy Tips,” and her growing popularity soon led her to 92.3, expanding her reach across Los Angeles’ vibrant radio scene. In March 2015, she joined iHeartMedia, Inc. as a Communications Producer. In this role, she focused on crafting strategic content, managing internal communications, and developing campaigns to support programming and audience engagement.
Spicy Mari Has Established Excellence in Various Professional Domains
All the while, she was building The Spicy Life, juggling a demanding 9-to-5 job, hosting her radio show, and establishing her relationship consulting firm. This was her era of hustle, and it laid the groundwork for the multifaceted empire she now leads. Since then, Mari has become a sought-after voice in the world of love and personal development. She has contributed to several television shows, including ‘Love Allways’ and ‘The Next Black Millionaires,’ and has been a guest on notable podcasts like ‘Coffee N5 with Lara Schmoisman.’ Her own podcast, ‘The Spicy Life,’ is available on Spotify, SoundCloud, and other platforms, where she continues to blend real-world experience with expert advice.
Today, she remains the Founder and CEO of The Spicy Life, which has grown into a comprehensive relationship development agency. The firm offers services like couples coaching, financial education, customized events, and self-awareness workshops and all are grounded in Mari’s S.P.I.C.Y. Fundamentals. She also brings clinical rigor to her practice, with training in the Gottman Method for Couples Therapy, a dating certification from the International Dating Coach Association, and credentials as a certified domestic violence advocate for both the state of California and Jewish Family Service. As a Bumble Dating Expert, she bridges the gap between traditional relationship-building and modern digital matchmaking. Mari is also a thriving content creator, leveraging social media to amplify her message and build community. Whether through short-form videos, reels, livestreams, or her spicy affirmations, she continues to help people rediscover their voice, build lasting love, and turn vulnerability into empowerment.
Spicy Mari Has Made a Beautiful Family With Her Husband and Son
Spicy Mari first met her now-husband, Chae Waugh, while she was hosting her radio show. At the time, Chae, who is a former singer, came on as a guest to share his experiences in the entertainment industry. What began as an on-air interaction soon turned into a deeper connection. Mari has often said that she felt Chae was her “manifestation” and was a partner who embodied everything she had envisioned for herself. She was especially moved by the way he spoke about relationships and life using the same tools and language she taught through The Spicy Life. He understood her work, actively contributed to it, and quickly became an integral part of her personal and professional world.
The couple got engaged in 2016 and married in December 2017, forming a power duo both at home and in business. Chae served as the Chief Operating Officer for The Spicy Life until 2022 and is still listed as a co-founder. While it’s unclear whether he continues in a day-to-day role with the company, Chae has built his own identity as a relationship counselor. In September 2020, he published his book, ‘Marriage & Finances: The Three-Day Guide to Financial Literacy to Prepare for a Successful Union,’ offering readers a practical approach to combining love and money. In August 2021, Spicy and Chae welcomed their son, Princeton Chae, into their lives. As parents and partners, they continue to walk through life hand-in-hand, celebrating every milestone together and drawing strength from one another. Their relationship is a living example of the principles that they stand by.
Read More: Where is Sneaky Links Filmed? Shooting Location of the Netflix Show
