If you tuned in to the debut of singer Christina Milian’s new E! reality show, Christina Milian Turned Up, on Sunday, you already know the singer and songwriter is aiming to keep it real for the cameras. Milian, 33, is giving fans a peek into her world to shed some light on her life as a mother, sister, daughter and musician.
Since taking a break from music in 2009, Milian has twirled on Dancing With the Stars and worked as a social media correspondent for The Voice, but now she’s focused on her music career and helping her sisters get the shine they deserve. Milian’s life as a divorcée and mom to daughter Violet, 4, (with ex-husband The Dream) has often been the subject of news headlines – those Lil Wayne rumors are everywhere! – so we caught up with the “Dip It Low” diva to have her set the record straight on where love has taken her, what she’s learned from it and how she handles matters of the heart today.
ESSENCE.com: How much of your personal life are we going to see on the show?
CHRISTINA MILIAN: You can expect to see a little of everything—me as a mother, me as a sister. I love my crazy sisters! You see my relationship with my mom and how we’re just trying to grow together not apart. It’s a very adventurous, fun, sexy and crazy show. But most importantly, it’s very real.
ESSENCE.com: Why did you decide to let the cameras in?
MILIAN: It’s a little bit crazy, but it’s cool. Honestly, I just wanted to give people a chance to get to know the real me. There’s a lot of speculation about everything all the time. People can say whatever they want to say about you, but now I’ve given them a reason to actually say something. Whether they love me or hate me, I would rather make them feel something then just keep them guessing. I’m happy with doing the show.
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ESSENCE.com: What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned from love thus far?
MILIAN: My biggest lesson I’ve learned about love is to keep on loving. Love is love; it’s amazing. It’s fine. It hurts. It’s probably one of the best experiences in life. Love is what really fuels you and that goes for relationships with a spouse or with family. Love is a beautiful thing. I think my biggest lesson is the fact that everything is meant to be and sometimes not meant to be, and it’s okay.
ESSENCE.com: Do you read what others write about your love life online?
MILIAN: Sometimes I do. They don’t really affect me. Most of them aren’t all true. They’re entertaining.
ESSENCE.com: What’s the biggest misconception about you?
MILIAN: I think people mistaking my kindness for weakness is the biggest misconception, but sometimes people find out for themselves.
ESSENCE.com: When are you the happiest?
MILIAN: I’m happiest when I’m with my daughter and I don’t have any distractions with my phone going off.
ESSENCE.com: What’s your favorite part of motherhood?
MILIAN: My favorite thing about motherhood is the outpouring of love that is non-judgmental and beautiful. My daughter just makes me happy and she motivates me to be a kid again.
Catch Milian and her family in action on new episodes of Christina Milian Turned Up on Sunday nights on E!