What Holly Robinson Peete’s Mother Getting Tattooed At 82 Is Teaching Us About Embracing Life
If you're a millennial complaining about "getting old," with all due respect, get over yourself, and get into Miss Dolores Robinson.
Just last week, actress Holly Robinson Peete stopped by the Steve Harvey Show and revealed that her 82-year-old mother, Dolores, has been living her best life since the 70's. And when we say seventies, we don't mean the funkadelic era of James Brown and Boosty Collin — we mean the age.
According to her daughter Holly, not only has her mother been getting tattoos since 75 years old, Dolores even rocks a #GrampStamp (aka a "Grandma Tramp Stamp"), with her first tattoo experience being with her grandchildren:
Needless to say, Mama Robinson is living her best life. Holly told Steve:
"She's doing the most! She's got about seven [tattoos]. It started when she was 75, she said 'I wanna get a tattoo and I'm going to get one every year.' And now she's 81, so you do the math. And not just some little small one, but like, you know, a 'gramp' stamp!"
The former Hanging With Mr. Cooper actress went on to detail her mother's fearless approach to life, deeming Dolores an enthusiast of aging:
"I love her. My mom has embraced life, she is not age-phobic. She is the opposite of that. She'll tell you she's '81 and cute!'"
"But she is [81]. So I'm trying to get her to slow down. I'm trying to get her to wear one of those medical alert bracelets and necklaces."
One look at Dolores' social media, and you'll see that a medical ID bracelet is nowhere in her near future. The grandmother of four is not only present in the lives of her grandkids, she is also active as a companion to them too. Dolores enjoys dying her hair, body paint, and the occasional flirt-alert too.
#CougarGameStrong
What I admire most about Miss Dolores is that she doesn't view getting older as a dreadful graduation from youth, but rather, a celebration of more life. She is not simply surviving her last days on earth, so much as she is thriving in them. Not to mention, Dolores makes every woman complaining about their thirties look like toddlers throwing a #TerribleThirties tantrum.
Hearing Dolores' beautiful story couldn't have come at a better time. Today marks the one year anniversary since the death of one of my best friends. She was only 35. My friend passed away days before her birthday, and hours after we finished celebrating its forthcoming.
Before my friend's tragic death, I recall a time when I'd validate my age with my accomplishments, measuring my life's value to my successes — majority of which were career-oriented. But as I soon learned, "You can't kill yourself over a job that if you dropped dead, would replace you by the next shift."
These days, I measure the value of life simply off the fact that I am alive.
What's so dope about Dolores is that she is defying the limitations of ageism. In life, you may be "too young" to do some things, but you're never too old to do anything your body, mind, and heart is willing and able to do.
Health really is the ultimate wealth, and time truly is of the essence. If there is one thing we can take away from Mama Dolores is that you can't live your life to the fullest if your fear of it being over, takes over you.
Check out what else Holly had to say about her incredible mother in the video below.
A modest goddess who keeps it humble between mumbles. I'm a journalism graduate with a HERstory in digital media, print and radio. Roll the credits: Power 96, VH1, xoNecole, EBONY, SOHH. Deemed "Top 20 Women in Media" by Power 105. Bronx made me, Broward raised me.
Exclusive: Melanie Fiona On Making High-Vibrational Music & Saying Yes To Partnership
Melanie Fiona is back! After taking a little more than a decade-long hiatus, she has officially made her return to music and blessed us with two singles, “Say Yes” and “I Choose You.” While both singles are very different from each other, they both reflect who she is today and the type of music she wants to make. In our conversation, the mom of two expressed what she learned during her time away.
“It's interesting, even when I said it is like coming back, I don't ever feel like I really left because I was always still performing. I've still been public. It's not like I went into being this recluse person or version of myself, but the thing that I really learned in this process is that I think things take time,” Melanie says in a xoNecole exclusive.
“I think often we're so caught up in it, being on the timing of demand or popularity, or, like, striking while the iron is hot and the thing that I've learned is that everything is on God's time. That's it. Every time I thought I would have been ready, or, like, things were taking too long, I had to reship some things, personally, professionally, in my life. I also gave myself permission to make a living, not just make a living, but make a life for myself.”
Making a life for herself included getting married to Grammy-nominated songwriter Jared Cotter, starting a family, and embracing new landscapes, such as podcasting as a co-host of The Mama’s Den podcast. She also began doing more spiritual work and self-care practices like meditation, sound healing, Reiki, acupuncture, and boundary setting, which allowed her to get in touch with her inner voice.
“I wasn't putting out music, and I wasn't experiencing a number one record, but I was being a number one mom,” she says.
“I was experiencing things that were allowing me to heal and get in touch with myself so that I could make new music from a space of joy and freedom, and excitement again because I definitely feel like I did lose some excitement because of just politics and industry and what it can do to your mental health and even your physical health. So giving myself the space to really just say, ‘Hey, it's okay. Everything's right on time.’”
The joy and excitement are felt in one of two new singles, “I Choose You,” which is more of a lovers rock vibe, a tribute to Melanie’s Caribbean roots. While the Grammy award-winner is known for ballads like “It Kills Me” and “Fool For You,” she is becoming more intentional about the music she makes, calling it high-vibrational music. She says her music is a “reflection of my life,” as it captures every facet, from hanging out with friends to riding around in her car.
“Say Yes” has the classic R&B vibe Melanie is known for. However, both songs are inspired by her relationship. Melanie and Jared got married in December 2020, and the Toronto-bred artist dished on their relationship. Fun fact: he is featured in the “Say Yes” music video.
“When we first started dating, I had come into that relationship post a lot of self-work. I had gotten out of a long-term relationship, I had a year and a half to date and be by myself and do a lot of work on myself alone. And when we met, I remember feeling like this has to be my person because I feel it,” she says.
“And so when we went into that relationship, and we started dating, I was very clear. I was like, I know what I want. I'm very clear on what I need, and I'm not going to withhold my truth about myself in this process because of pride or fear of rejection. I know you love me, but I'm coming with my heart in my hand to let you know that if we're gonna get there, we have to put fear aside and say yes. So that was kind of like my open letter to him, which is why the video is us having a conversation.”
Melanie also shares that saying yes to her partner has empowered her in many ways, including motherhood and showing up for herself. Her new EP, also titled Say Yes, will be available at the top of 2025.
Check out the full interview below.
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Feature image by Franco Zulueta
There's something about snuggling up in your favorite blanket and watching a comfort show or movie on Netflix, and what better time to do just that than in December? As the weather outside gets cooler, staying in becomes more of the norm. Thus, Netflix and Chill is a go-to. Luckily, Netflix has released new Black films and series on their popular streaming platform.
From Tyler Perry's historical drama The Six Triple Eight, starring Kerry Washington, to the Will Packer-produced comedy starring Marsai Martin, Regina Hall, and Issa Rae, Little, this season is looking up.
See the full list below.
Little (12/1)
Regina Hall's character is a bossy tech mogul who has everyone scared of her, including her assistant, played by Issa Rae. However, when she transforms into her younger self (Marsai Martin), she learns how to be more kind to others.
Daddy Day Care (12/1)
Eddie Murphy stars in this film as a father who decides to open a daycare after losing his job.
30 For 30 Collection (12/2)
30 For 30 is an ESPN docu-series highlighting some of sports' legendary figures and moments. Some of the episodes include Winning Time: Reggie Miller Vs. The New York Knicks and Celtics/ Lakers: The Best of Enemies.
Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was (12/10)
In this special, the multi-talented Jamie Foxx returns to stand-up to give an unforgettable performance.
Blood, Sweat & Heels S2 (12/13)
The short-lived Bravo reality TV series documented the lives of a group of girlfriends making it in NYC. The show starred model-turned-podcaster Melyssa Ford, author Demetria Lucas, and the late TV host Daisy Lewellyn.
The Equalizer S1-3 (12/16)
The hit CBS show starring Queen Latifah is now available on Netflix. Watch the beloved actress kick ass and take names in this popular drama.
The Six Triple Eight (12/20)
The new Tyler Perry film starring Kerry Washington is a true story about the first and only Women’s Army Corps unit of color during World War II.
Christmas Game Day Ravens Vs. Texans (12/25)
While many will tune in to watch the Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans game, others will tune in to watch Beyoncé perform during halftime.
Michelle Buteau: A Buteau-ful Mind At Radio City Music Hall (12/31)
Comedian Michelle Buteau's comedy special will focus on her life with twins, going viral, and much more.
Evil S3 (12/31)
While Evil was unfortunately canceled by CBS, viewers can rewatch the series on Netflix, with season three premiering December 31st.
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Feature image screenshot/YouTube