Ice-T Opens Up About Strong Bond with Young Daughter Chanel, Shares Parenting Journey
Renowned rapper and actor, Ice-T recently sat down for an interview on That Moment With Daymond John, where he opened up about his parenting journey and the unique bond he shares with his seven-year-old daughter, Chanel. Ice-T, whose real name is Tracy Morrow, is married to Coco Austin, and together they have been raising Chanel since her birth in 2015.
Ice-T, now 64 years old, has had previous relationships and has two older children, Latesha, 47, and Tracy Jr., 31. However, the rapper expressed that he feels a stronger connection with Chanel than with his older children. He attributed this difference to the circumstances surrounding Chanel’s birth and his own personal growth.
During the interview, Ice-T revealed that he was in a different stage of life when he had his first two children. As a young father, he admitted to being preoccupied and distracted, which affected his presence in their lives. However, when Coco became pregnant with Chanel, Ice-T was more settled and comfortable in his career. He actively participated in the journey of pregnancy and continues to be involved in his daughter’s life on a daily basis.
Ice-T shared that Chanel still sleeps in the same bed as him and Coco, emphasizing the close bond they share. The rapper expressed his conscious effort to be present and involved in his youngest child’s life, a departure from his earlier experiences. He described Chanel’s birth as a transformative event that sparked a renewed sense of purpose and inspired him to set new goals.
The rapper candidly admitted that he wasn’t as present for his older children as he would have liked, acknowledging that he was caught up in the demands of fame and personal growth during those periods. Reflecting on his past, Ice-T acknowledged that he had missed out on some precious moments with his first two children due to his younger age and career distractions.
Ice-T’s remarks come in the wake of criticism faced by Coco in recent years. Less than two years ago, she faced backlash online for continuing to breastfeed Chanel, who was then five years old. Coco defended her decision, arguing that breastfeeding was a bonding experience between her and her daughter, emphasizing the importance of their connection. Ice-T took to Twitter to support his wife, humorously pointing out that he, too, appreciated her breasts.
Coco, a former Glamour model, began her career in the modeling industry and has had a successful journey ranging from Swimwear Illustrated to Playboy. She and Ice-T crossed paths during a music video shoot at the end of 2001 and quickly fell in love. Their romance culminated in marriage in January 2002 and the two have appeared tight since.
