Jeannie Mai has spoken candidly about her journey to motherhood, saying that she developed anxiety before giving birth to her baby girl Monaco in January because she didn’t feel she “deserved this beautiful privilege” of becoming a parent. The Real co-host, who was adamant for years that she didn’t want children, appeared to have had a change of heart when she began dating rapper Young Jeezy in late 2018. They tied the knot last year before announcing the joyful news that a baby was on the way, and though Jeannie was delighted to become a mother, she also became very distressed about it.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, the 43-year-old revealed, “I honestly can say that the whole time I was pregnant I was nervous because I was like I almost feel like I don’t deserve this beautiful privilege.” She continued to explain that while she had been against the idea of becoming a mom in the past, she had now been presented with “this gift,” which she wanted to guard at all costs. “I felt like, ‘Don’t put yourself in risky situations, like don’t get on a plane or — you are the one to have this taken away from you, because you didn’t appreciate it when you had the choice.'”
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Despite her worries, Jeannie admitted that her perspective of life changed after giving birth, and she can proudly say that she tends to like herself better as a mother. “I love being a mom,” Jeannie shared. “I am so touched with the gift of getting her to open her arms… teaching her to lift her arms and teaching her to register communication with me, it’s everything.” Though the Holey Moley star has undoubtedly had a lot to be thankful for in recent years, her fans were left stunned by last month’s announcement that the long-running talk show The Real, which Jeannie had fronted since its first season premiere nine years ago, had been canceled.
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The news broke in April when Variety reported that after eight seasons on air, Warner Bros. and Telepictures had decided to scrap the format. Fellow co-host Loni Love later addressed the article on her social media, saying that due to strict Covid protocols, producers ultimately decided it would be best to end the show due to the high costs that were piling up due to the extra safety measures that were implemented when The Real resumed taping after the pandemic.
“In my opinion Covid costs killed this show.. it’s been a great ride and thanks to the viewers for 8 great seasons!” Loni said, adding that the crew “did everything we could to scale the show down…We shot 7-8 shows in 3 days, no audience, made a conference room into a studio.”
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“… it’s been a great ride and thank you to the studio for allowing 8 seasons of show that was Emmy winning and historic,” she continued. “Most importantly, thank you to the viewers for riding with us..this is not goodbye but see you all soon!”
The Real first premiered back in 2013 when it was fronted by its original line-up: Tamera Mowry, Jeannie, Loni, Adrienne Bailon and Tamar Braxton, who was ousted in May 2016. Tamera was the second original co-host to depart the chat show in July 2020, a decision she made to spend more time with her family.