The 65-year-old 'Surviving the Game' star gets candid about his struggle as a grandfather, admitting that he is unable to 'connect' to his daughter's son.
- Dec 3, 2023
AceShowbiz - Ice-T is unable to connect to his grandchild as he is to his own children. The 65-year-old rapper added grandfather to his resume in 1995 when his daughter LeTesha Marrow, 47, welcomed son Elyjah Marrow, 29, into the world.
The father-of-three who also has son Tracy, 32, with Darlene Oritz, and seven-year-old Chanel with wife Coco Austin, however, doesn't have as close a bond with his grandson as he does his three children. "Being a grandfather doesn't really register to me. I'm more connected to my actual kids, their kids are their problem!" he told America's Closer magazine.
The "Surviving the Game" star's grandson was arrested as a teen in 2015 for the accidental shooting and killing of his roommate. He was charged with involuntary manslaughter, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, theft by receiving stolen property, and possession of a firearm.
Ice T says he had to put the work in to turn his life around after years at rock bottom. Asked for his advice to anyone struggling, he explained, "You've got to understand that you have the choice to change your life."
"I was in LA, breaking the law and face down on Hollywood Boulevard. Now I just got a star on Hollywood Boulevard. So you do have a choice. It has a lot to do with the people you hang around with. Are they promoting you? Are they holding you back? And secondly, you just have to get confidence."
"Lack of confidence and self-esteem to me is the biggest problem in the world. That's what creates haters. That's what creates all this envy. Build self-esteem, put in the work necessary and don't make excuses."
Meanwhile, the Body Count star says communication is key to his happy marriage to television personality Coco, 44, whom he married 21 years ago. He said, "You're going to spend more time with this person than anybody else in the world. You have to be able to communicate."
