Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker recently sat down with TheaterMania to discuss their life together, their kids and balancing a family and two active acting careers.
From TheaterMania:
TM: Boris is still living in California with the children. Why didn’t you all just pack up and move to New York?
BK: They have their own life, with school and sports and music and arts, and we wanted to keep that stable. And also, we knew what it would take for Nicole to really do a good job in this show. She might go to sleep at 3 am, and the kids are up at 6, and they don’t care if she slept two hours. So I think it was important for us to support her and step aside so she can get the preparation she needs to play this part.
NAP: Doing this show would not be possible if Boris didn’t agree to take care of the kids. Everyone keeps asking “Are you exhausted” or “How do you stay on stage for 3 hours, 8 shows a week,” but this is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me. I don’t care if I’m delirious or have the same clothes on for three days. But the only thing that’s ever kind of made me a little uncomfortable these past few weeks was not seeing my kids. But I know they’re happy and safe and Boris brings them to see me as much as possible, and when school’s out they’ll come here for a while. We’re working it out.TM Do your children understand what you two do for a living?
BK: Not really. When I was on Undercovers, we were driving in the car, and there was a picture of me on a bus, and my son said “Daddy, how did they get a picture of you!?” And Sophie said, “Mommy gave it to them.” They had no idea. And they still don’t understand why people randomly walk up to me and say, “Oh my god, it’s Boris Kodjoe.” And I just tell them, “Look, they’re just being nice.” We can keep up this charade maybe another two years, until they figure out what’s going on.
You can check out the full interview here.
BMWK, the Kudjoes seem to have found a way to balance family and careers. How do you and your spouse maintain your balance?