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Christina Milian: Balancing Stardom, Motherhood, And Entrepreneurship

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For over two decades, Christina Milian’s career has become synonymous with what it means to have a solid work ethic. Throughout her career, the New Jersey native has consistently illustrated what it means to be a multi-hyphenate. Milian’s dedication to her craft has spurred a longevous career in singing, acting, producing, songwriting, and more. Given the entertainer’s success in all these realms, it shouldn’t be surprising that she’s excelling in another vital role - motherhood. So much so that her latest collaboration with the disinfectant brand Lysol makes complete sense.

The singer recently partnered with the brand to support its latest product, Lysol Air Sanitizer. Not only does it eliminate odors in the air, but the EPA-approved product destroys 99.9% of airborne viruses and bacteria—the opportunity to collaborate excited Milian because it’s another way to keep her family safe.

“We're always just a really active family, and everything drives back to the household. One of the big things for us is when we get home; we have to make sure we leave the outside world there and can come home and feel protected and safe. And so, to me, using Lysol Air Sanitizer is exciting because knowing that the air is sanitized around us is important because we need air to live. It allows us to do something that will help protect our family and put us at ease.”

When prioritizing her family's safety with such a hectic schedule, Milian readily admits that her tribe of loved ones is a huge help. From the support of her husband to that of her mother and sisters, the mom of three’s support system is as solid as they come.

“It takes a village. My husband is very supportive, and we are very supportive of each other. I've had it where it wasn't the husband; I was a single mom for a very long time. My village was my mom, and it was my sisters. It still is, and we have such a great support system amongst us. Knowing that I have this support system puts me at ease, allowing me to work while knowing that my husband, mom, and sisters will help and ensure that the kids feel right at home.”

Not only does the starlet have the support of her family but also the legions of fans she’s amassed over the years, starting with her debut album, Christina Milian. The eponymous album celebrated its 21st anniversary earlier this year, a milestone that holds a special place in her heart, given its cultural impact.

“The start of my music career was such an exciting time for me because I dreamed of it as a child. I still feel the same way about it. I'm not necessarily doing music the way I was back then, but I still feel the same way about those albums and that music as I did like it was yesterday. And I know if I returned to the studio, I probably would feel the same way again. I think, especially as a Black Latina, that was a huge deal, especially for a lot of minority girls that related to me back then, to do pop music and to do urban pop and to sing the songs that I did and to be young and singing. Writing my music and knowing where I came from meant a lot to many girls and women. And when I meet them now, there are women who were once girls at that time watching me sing, and they tell me how I represented them in so many ways. I get chills thinking about it.”

The celebrations won’t stop anytime soon as the actress recently expanded her business, Beignet Box, alongside co-owner/co-founder and best friend Elizabeth Morris. The eatery now boasts two brick-and-mortar locations in California and two food trucks. For Milian, the most rewarding aspect of entrepreneurship is delving into something that’s out of the norm for her.

“I think the most rewarding part of becoming an entrepreneur and having Beignet Box is knowing that I can do something out of the box. My best friend and I wanted to start something together and be a part of something that would make people feel good, which made people happy, which we loved and had a passion for. It was also based on and rooted in the foundation of helping other people. So to see now we have so many people that we employ, all the different people I meet that have tried our beignets and are so happy when they eat them, it's just something I didn't expect. It's hard, it's challenging, but in the end, it really does hit the sweet spot for us that it's becoming successful, and we're taking our time letting it grow.”

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