VH1 did it again with a star-studded lineup of stars honoring their mothers and instrumental women in their lives during the third annual “Dear Mama: A Love Letter to Moms.” Hosted by Lala Anthony and Anthony Anderson, the pink carpet celebration included special tributes and performances by Patti LaBelle, Jessie J, Ne-Yo, Teyana Taylor, Bobby Brown, Jhene Aiko and her daughter Namiko, and more. There were also special appearances from Sean “Diddy” Combs, Colin Kaepernick, Gabrielle Union, and Lauren London, to name a few.
During the pink carpet interviews, we were able to catch up with everybody and their mama, quite literally. In a quest to unveil some of the best advice from moms and what moms seek to instill in their children, we decided to ask the stars themselves.
Basketball Wives star Jackie Christie says her mom told her to “never give up, to believe in yourself, and to work for everything you want.” “If you set a goal you can achieve it, even if it’s a little baby step every day, you just gotta keep going,” she continued.
Christie, who’s often been criticized for her perceived treatment of her first-born daughter, says she has now learned how to handle her personal relationships. “My mom would always say Jackie, everybody is not your friend and when you realize that you’ll stop being so hurt when someone lets you down.” As far as the upcoming season of “Basketball Wives,” well Christie says viewers will definitely see some ups and downs and surprises we aren’t expecting.
In a sincere open letter to her now deceased mother, everyone’s favorite “Divorce Court” Judge, Mablean Ephriam, gave quite the tear jerking response, one we all can relate to from mother figures in our lives. “Mother I love you for teaching me the right values, for never judging me, for loving me unconditionally, despite the fact that I didn’t always walk the walk that you wanted me to walk, and do it the way that you wanted me to do it, but you never stopped loving me and you never gave up on me,” Ephriam said.
Speaking of thoughtful, Teresa Kaepernick, mother to NFL player and social activist Colin Kaepernick, gave quite the speech to her son, who honored her that night. “You were kind and patient with those who needed help since the time you were a very young child and you’ve always been very persistent and tenacious in pursuit of anything that you desired, but I admire that trait in you as well because it’s what took you to fulfillment of your dream to be an NFL quarterback,” she said.
Teresa also added that she was proud of her son for standing up for what he believes in, no matter if it means sacrificing his own dreams as an NFL player. “When you see injustice in this world, you are not the kind of man who sits back and hopes that someone else will deal with it even though it may mean sacrificing your dreams.”
Lala Anthony, ex-wife and mother to NBA star Carmelo Anthony’s son, says her mother always instilled in her to “live by her own rules.” “You cannot base your decisions on what other people think, you’re not going to be able to make everybody happy,” she said.
And we all know good parenting doesn’t come without a little tough love. Media mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs said his most challenging and rewarding moment was when his mom disciplined him. “I tried to cross the street one day, it said do not walk and I got the worst whooping of my life and it changed me forever,” Diddy said.
VH1’s Dear Mama: A Love Letter to Moms aired on Monday, May 7th. To see exclusive interviews from the evening’s stars, visit www.lasentinel.net.
