Aunt Mowry is learning to love her new normal since splitting from ex-husband Cory Hardrict after nearly 20 years together. The actress spoke with ET’s Deidre Behar at Sunday’s 2024 BET Awards, where she opened up about life at home with her two children, son Cree, 13, and daughter Cairo, 6, whom she shares with her ex.
As the 45-year-old walked the red carpet alone, Hardrict walked with his teenage sonwhich Mowry revealed was the latter’s birthday wish.
“His birthday was June 28th and the only thing he wanted for his birthday was to go to the BET Awards,” the mom of two explained. “At first he wasn’t allowed, but we were able to pull a few strings. Anything to make my son happy! I feel like it’s not new to him anymore, being on the red carpet, he’s used to it, you know?”
Mowry made a name for himself on social media by sharing regular snippets where she enlists her kids participate – usually due to their reluctance on screen.
“Everything you see on camera is real, like my son really thinks he’s my dad,” Mowry joked about Cree’s frequent appearances in her videos. “But I look at it like he’s my protector, you know? And he just does it, even though sometimes he doesn’t want to do it, he has a lot of fun doing it.”
For Cree, her dreams have changed. Although he’s a regular presence in his mother’s TikTok videos, he’s not thinking about following in his parents’ footsteps.
“I want to be a professional basketball player when I grow up,” he told ET.
While Cairo is much more excited to participate in her mother’s online activitiesHer two sons are such good athletes that they inspire her, Mowry told ET. “My kids are my why, why I do what I do. I want to be an amazing example for them.”
While she strives to be a nice man, Mowry is also focused on making herself happy, as she is officially single after she and Hardrict announced the end of a 14-year marriage in October 2022. In April 2023, their divorce was finalized.
“I’m really, really enjoying this journey of solitude… I took a little break from dating. I’m dating myself now. Right now, I’m becoming the partner I want, so that takes time,” the actress told ET. “I have been in solitude learning a lot about myself. I’m reading a new book called Brave new you by Corey Allen, and it’s been fantastic.”
O Sister Sister star continued: “I just want to encourage women out there that you don’t have to get into a relationship and have that kind of recovery. Work on yourself, work on yourself and (time will align). , Do you know what I mean?”
Fans will be able to witness Mowry’s journey in his upcoming WE tv documentary series, Tia Mowry: My Next Act.
According to a press release, the show — which was announced in April — will follow Mowry “as she navigates her single status, motherhood, building a business and juggling her super-busy, ever-evolving career.”
“It’s all about me tackling this journey alone, to be honest with you, and I feel like it’s going to be really relatable,” Mowry told ET about her reality show. “I’m here to inspire and encourage women, female empowerment, and I’m encouraging people to be brave as they go through transitions in life, whether it’s a divorce, a job change, a loss, whatever it may be.”
“If I can be that source of inspiration, then I feel like I’m doing what I’m supposed to do,” she added.
O BET Awards 2024hosted by Taraji P. Hensonares live on BET channel from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 30 at 8pm ET/PT. Check it out the full list of winners here.
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