Christina Milian Says ‘Food Is a Really Big Passion’ While Celebrating Her Cuban Heritage

The actress and singer discussed introducing her kids to Cuban flavors in a nod to National Hispanic Heritage Month

Christina Milian attends the world premiere of Netflix's "Your Place Or Mine" at Regency Village Theatre on February 02, 2023 in Los Angeles
Actress and singer Christina Milian opens up about the role food plays in her life . Photo:

Jon Kopaloff/Getty 

Christina Milian is embracing her Cuban culture!

In a nod to National Hispanic Heritage Month — which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 — the New Jersey-born actress and singer, 41, talked about her food traditions in a video interview with SheKnows published Tuesday.

"Cooking is something that has brought our household together from generations before," Milian told the outlet's editor-in-chief, Eugenia Richman. "My mom learned from her mom. My mom taught me early. I love food. Food is a really big passion when it comes to the Cuban culture, I think. And we spend a lot of time in the kitchen — and that's where you are really able to have conversations about life."

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The mom of three, who was promoting a partnership with Lysol Air Sanitizer, also described the "confidence" and "accomplishment" that she feels when cooking in the kitchen.

"Passing on the recipes from my mom and my grandmother, that's a big deal to me," she recalled fondly.

Now living in Paris, Milian shares sons Isaiah, 3 and Kenna, 2 with French singer Matt Pokora and daughter Violet, 13, with her ex, The-Dream.

"You might be French and it's just salt and pepper for you," she joked of the difference between French and Cuban food culture, adding that she makes an effort to introduce Latin food flavors to her children.

"These are the seasonings that we are always going to have, okay?" she said.

Milian and Pokora first started dating in 2017 and during an appearance on The Real the following year, she opened up about their bond.

“We got along so long so well from the very beginning,” she said. “We have the best time together. I could spend every day with him, every moment and everything. It’s been cool. We just have a good time.”

Meanwhile, Milian's ex-boyfriend Nick Cannon has been reflecting on his missed opportunity to have a child with her. While speaking with The Shade Room in March, the 42-year-old shared his regret over his relationship with Milian, whom he dated for two years before they split in 2005.

"If I say this, I know it's gonna go viral. When Christina Milian and I were doing Love Don't Cost a Thing, I remember when I found out she was pregnant, I was like, 'Dang, man,' but I was so happy for her," Cannon, 42, revealed.

"I remember we were kids in love, early on, and so we talked about that," he added. "But to each his own. Life plans it out. The universe gives it how it's supposed to be given."

While he didn't have kids with Milian, Cannon has now welcomed 12 children with other women.

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