Terrence Howard Tells Kids Presence is Important, Not Looks

Jason Kempin/WireImage

In a world where image and beauty is seemingly more and more important, Terrence Howard is teaching his kids — Aubrey, 15, Hunter, 13, and Heaven, 12 — that "you can’t put your value in looks." The 39-year-old actor turned musician is currently promoting his new CD, Shine Through It – an album made up of songs that teach love, beauty, and the lessons of life. His hope is that his children will learn from their father’s own experiences as he describes them in the lyrics. According to Terrence, his message to his kids is simple: while a person can be extremely beautiful on the outside, what matters most is a person’s presence as they enter a room and capture the attention of others, such as with a smile. He goes on to say that "love makes you beautiful" and in turn "what is beautiful radiates."

"Presence is based upon magnitude. You can pretend to have air about you, but it is quickly deflated, but you can not deflate presence. Presence walks into a room and surrounds and fills anything that’s in the room without trying to demand it. It takes it."

Aubrey, Hunter, and Heaven are Terrence’s children with Lori McCommas.

Source: Essence

Comments

“Presence is based upon magnitude. You can pretend to have air about you, but it is quickly deflated, but you can not deflate presence. Presence walks into a room and surrounds and fills anything that’s in the room without trying to demand it. It takes it.”

Say what? I would love to see his kids faces as he’s telling them this! He lost me in the first sentence. Maybe I’m just not as deep as Mr. Howard. LOL

- chris on September 14th, 2008

Wow, what an amazing man! I agree with absolutley everything he said. His children will gorw up to be well rounded individuals and will definitley have their heads on straight. I have to say I really admire him for this comment. Keep up the good work Terrence!

- Elyse on September 14th, 2008

i’m going to have to agree with chris. it sounds like he doesn’t know what he’s talking about or exactly how to articulate what makes sense in his head. i think people should just shut up and not say anything than sound crazy like that. he got it with “love makes you beautiful” and “what is beautiful radiates” and he should have stopped there.

- lee on September 14th, 2008

Well, I think it’s not going to be difficult for them not to care about their looks…they’re all gorgeous in that family! LoL

- Dounia on September 15th, 2008

I understood what he said. It wasn’t that complicated. Anyway it’s a good thing to say to your children.

- Jade on September 15th, 2008

While I totally agree with what he’s saying, it seems that all of the fatherly “pearls of wisdom” he instills in his children have to do with their looks. I recall another interview when he talked about helping his children “navigate the world while developing coping mechanisms for dealing with being so beautiful”. That’s all I ever hear him talk about beauty this and beauty that – he seems very superficial to me, but then I’ve always gotten that “self-important” vibe from him, so I’m not at all surprised!

- Chicki on September 15th, 2008