Scientific studies have proven that the old adage "black don't crack" isn't just an expression. Melanin really can slow the aging process for many women with darker skin by up to ten years.
But "black don't crack" shouldn't only be about looking younger than your actual age. It's about aging gracefully and fabulously, all while embracing the wisdom and beauty that comes with getting older. In honor of Mother's Day, below are twelve stunning black moms (and grandmoms) in Hollywood who not only look amazing, but epitomize the strength, beauty and grace of black mom's everywhere. Slay!
Angela Bassett
Mario Anzuoni / Reuters
Age: 57
Children: 2
“Our culture is very youth-driven, but I think there is absolutely value and wisdom with experience. Youth is delightful, but experience is also. Your cute years will diminish, but have some wisdom left, some grace, some charm.” - Angela Bassett
Children: 2
“Our culture is very youth-driven, but I think there is absolutely value and wisdom with experience. Youth is delightful, but experience is also. Your cute years will diminish, but have some wisdom left, some grace, some charm.” - Angela Bassett
Regina King
Phil McCarten / Reuters
Age: 45
Children: 1
"I have learned that there is beauty in always learning. There is freedom in admitting when you’re wrong. I hope that I’ll continue learning until the day I die, and that when I take my last breath, a lesson was learned right before it." - Regina King
Children: 1
"I have learned that there is beauty in always learning. There is freedom in admitting when you’re wrong. I hope that I’ll continue learning until the day I die, and that when I take my last breath, a lesson was learned right before it." - Regina King
Lisa Bonet
Danny Moloshok / Reuters
Age: 48
Children: 3
“[My age number] itself feels irrelevant to me. I look in the mirror and I see in this face all the life that has occurred.” - Lisa Bonet
Children: 3
“[My age number] itself feels irrelevant to me. I look in the mirror and I see in this face all the life that has occurred.” - Lisa Bonet
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Grace Jones
Van Tine Dennis/ABACA USA
Age: 67
Children: 1
[On plastic surgery] "Absolutely not. I would not cut myself. No. No. My mom is 80 and doesn't have a line." - Grace Jones
Children: 1
[On plastic surgery] "Absolutely not. I would not cut myself. No. No. My mom is 80 and doesn't have a line." - Grace Jones
Tina Lawson
J. Countess via Getty Images
Age: 62
Children: 2
"I'm proud to be [62] years old and to not be putting limitations on my lifestyle. We can still be sexy and vibrant, fashionable, classy and fly until the day we die!” - Tina Lawson
Children: 2
"I'm proud to be [62] years old and to not be putting limitations on my lifestyle. We can still be sexy and vibrant, fashionable, classy and fly until the day we die!” - Tina Lawson
Taraji P. Henson
Jeff Kravitz via Getty Images
Age: 45
Children: 1
"I wash my face in the morning and at night. I drink a lot of water. You have to stay hydrated." - Taraji P. Henson
Children: 1
"I wash my face in the morning and at night. I drink a lot of water. You have to stay hydrated." - Taraji P. Henson
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Iman
Carlo Allegri / Reuters
Age: 60
Children: 2
“Cleansing, toning and moisturizing are the basic essentials to maintain healthy skin. The skin you take care of in your teens and 20s is the skin you will inherit in your 30s, 40s and beyond.” - Iman
Children: 2
“Cleansing, toning and moisturizing are the basic essentials to maintain healthy skin. The skin you take care of in your teens and 20s is the skin you will inherit in your 30s, 40s and beyond.” - Iman
Phylicia Rashad
Jeffrey Mayer via Getty Images
Age: 67
Children: 2
"Everything you do, every thought you have, every word you say creates a memory that you will hold in your body. It’s imprinted on you and affects you in subtle ways -- ways you are not always aware of. With that in mind, be very conscious and selective. What’s in front of you is a whole world of experiences beyond your imagination. Put yourself, and your growth and development, first." - Phylicia Rashad
Children: 2
"Everything you do, every thought you have, every word you say creates a memory that you will hold in your body. It’s imprinted on you and affects you in subtle ways -- ways you are not always aware of. With that in mind, be very conscious and selective. What’s in front of you is a whole world of experiences beyond your imagination. Put yourself, and your growth and development, first." - Phylicia Rashad
Jada Pinkett Smith
Jeffrey Mayer via Getty Images
Age: 44
Children: 2
"As a young woman you're thinking that everything you are on the outside -- what your hair looks like, what shoes you're wearing, how much flesh you're showing -- that's the thing you believe makes you attractive. But as you get older, as a woman, it's like, your wisdom is what makes you attractive." - Jada Pinkett Smith
Children: 2
"As a young woman you're thinking that everything you are on the outside -- what your hair looks like, what shoes you're wearing, how much flesh you're showing -- that's the thing you believe makes you attractive. But as you get older, as a woman, it's like, your wisdom is what makes you attractive." - Jada Pinkett Smith
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Diahann Carroll
Matthew Simmons via Getty Images
Age: 80
Children: 1
“The business of aging requires a great deal of thought, patience, information… I’ve really found that I had to sit down and take myself through a learning period that I didn’t expect.” - Diahann Carroll
Children: 1
“The business of aging requires a great deal of thought, patience, information… I’ve really found that I had to sit down and take myself through a learning period that I didn’t expect.” - Diahann Carroll
Lynn Whitfield
Jim Spellman via Getty Images
Age: 62
Children: 1
"Exfoliate. You get rid of the crud on the inside and you've got to clean it out. You've got to lighten it up. You have to. It makes life so much better if you get rid of all of the dead stuff. Same thing with skin. Same thing with bad memories." - Lynn Whitfield
Children: 1
"Exfoliate. You get rid of the crud on the inside and you've got to clean it out. You've got to lighten it up. You have to. It makes life so much better if you get rid of all of the dead stuff. Same thing with skin. Same thing with bad memories." - Lynn Whitfield
Tina Turner
Venturelli via Getty Images
Age: 76
Children: 2
"I found happiness for myself, and I think it's because I desire nothing. It's a journey. You're born, you go through the journey, and then you leave the journey. How you manage the journey is very important. I stayed on track. I stayed on course. My wish was to arrive here where I am today in this frame of mind and this physique and this healthiness.” - Tina Turner
Children: 2
"I found happiness for myself, and I think it's because I desire nothing. It's a journey. You're born, you go through the journey, and then you leave the journey. How you manage the journey is very important. I stayed on track. I stayed on course. My wish was to arrive here where I am today in this frame of mind and this physique and this healthiness.” - Tina Turner
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