You know, there is something so refreshing about seeing this new, independent Tia Mowry. She is out here living her best, unapologetic, post-divorce, free, and fulfilled life. And honestly, we are here for it.
In fact, although her divorce was news to us, it absolutely was not the case for her, as the Sister, Sister alum recently shared with Today that she actually knew the exact moment she wanted to end her 14-year marriage with ex-husband Cory Hardrict.
“I knew when I really started to focus on my happiness. I feel like women, we tend to focus on everybody else’s happiness, making sure that everybody else is okay — meaning our children, our friends, our family — but at the end of the day, it’s about self-love.”
Now, you can find her serving as resident content queen across our timelines, from hilarious Reels on Instagram to dinner recipes on YouTube. She's also taking more chances at owning her happiness and allowing us a genuine glimpse into who she is as a woman -- not the mom, the wife, or the actress -- even opening up on subjects that she never discussed publicly in the past.
Recently, she visited The TERRELL Show on YouTube so the duo could indulge in a few libations and chat about life like old friends do (which, if you don't watch him regularly, definitely add his channel to your subscription list). They played games and discussed intriguing topics such as her divorce, how she's navigating the single life, The Game, and whether or not she's dating.
Highlights are below:
On acting not being her first passion:
As Terrell was giving Tia her flowers, coining her a triple threat, Tia revealed that she is actually a dancer at heart.
"I love to dance," she started. "And a lot of people don't know this, I actually was a dancer. The first jobs I got were being a dancer, so I danced with MC Hammer." She went on to reveal that she can in fact, "touch that" and that she didn't really have aspirations to be an actress at first.
"I would model, I would dance, there would be some singing. Honestly, my brother Taj was the bonafide actor."
On starring in 'Sister, Sister':
Mowry tells the story of how Sister, Sister came about after visiting the Full House set with Taj frequently at 14 years old. "Sister, Sister was actually created for us, so we didn't have to audition at all. My sister and I just kinda went into this room, and it was at Paramount Studios, and we just talked [about it]."
On Marques Houston being her actual real first kiss:
"You know I grew up on that show and you know I'm a teenager...my first real kiss was in the parking lot at Paramount Studio with Marques Houston. I wasn't allowed to date until I was 18, so this is probably the first time [my parents] are hearing this. Marques and I, we were really good friends, and we are still really good friends. So, hi, mom. Hi, dad. Sorry, Marques."
Terrell goes on to ask her how she and her twin sister, Tamera, didn't succumb to the horror stories of being child stars, to which she assuredly quipped, "because we had a mother that whooped our ass."
On the chokehold 'Seventeen Again' had on the culture:
"I feel like it still resonates. A lot of people really, really loved that movie, and it's a classic, especially around that time you didn't see a lot of representation playing in movies like that."
On why she accepted the role of Melanie in 'The Game':
"I graduated from college in 2003. I knew I wanted--because I graduated with a psych degree in growth and child development--I knew I didn't want to go in that direction, so I said you know what, I have my degree, but I still want to act, and I was like you know what, this character is so me. [Melanie] was a girlfriend that was there for her boyfriend at the time, supporting his career...that's kind of where I felt I was in my life."
On why she (really) left 'The Game':
By this time, the shots had settled in, and Tia opened up about some of the politics that go on behind-the-scenes that make actors choose their own happiness over beloved characters.
"' The Game' was canceled from the CW, so there was a timelapse. Pooch (Derwin) ended up booking a show, and he was a regular on the show, which made him reoccurring on 'The Game.' So they said, 'well, you could come back but only as recurring.' And I valued myself, you know, and I said I feel like I'm more than a recurring. I am a regular. And I said 'no.'"
We stan a Black woman who knows her worth. #deuces
The interview closes out with Tia revealing that she's deaf in one ear, her struggles with breaking out as a solo actress without Tamera, and our girl even confirms that she may have been outside to see what the dating pool is all about.
Watch the full interview below:
TIA MOWRY Gets Drunk, Sings Brandy, Spills Marques Houston Tea, and Talks Dating After Divorce
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Featured image by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for ESSENCE
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