“It is really hard” — La La’s take on moving to New York with Carmelo Anthony after the Knicks acquired him, and also one of the reasons that affected their marriage. However, she didn’t deny other factors involved in her separation from Melo. Those who followed the updates back then would remember allegations of infidelity as well against the former NBA star. The Power actress has always been open about the challenges of navigating life post-divorce. But co-parenting with Melo surely added another layer of complexity.

During her recent appearance on Baby, This is Keke Palmer, she got real about what it takes to maintain a healthy relationship with her ex—especially for the sake of their son, Kiyan. “Every day is not gonna be peaches and roses. It’s just not realistic,” La La admitted. She, however, emphasized that the key is keeping the bigger picture in mind.

“At the end of the day, you have to remember that your child sees everything. You gotta make it not about you, and about them. You can’t bring in your own personal, about how you feel because they see everything. They’re watching,” she added.

The 42-year-old actress ensured that her personal feelings never clouded the message she wanted her to son have. The message is about love, communication, and family. “I wouldn’t want to set the wrong example for Kiyan when it comes to relationships, or how you treat people, or co-parenting, or parents or anything. So I’m always mindful of that,” she added. Further acknowledging that even on tough days, she had to push through for his sake.

La La further highlighted that the constant thing to remember through co-parenting is that it’s not about either of the individual parents but about their child. “It’s hard enough to not have your parents together. All kids, at some point, want their parents to be together. That’s what all kids want. So it’s hard enough to have not been able to provide him with that. But if I could show him that we could still be friends, and we could co-parent, and we love you, and the decisions we make are out of love for you, then I’m gonna keep pushing that narrative forward cuz that’s gonna affect how he deals with relationships and people moving forward.”

Those who have spotted La La and Carmelo Anthony together on several occasions for Kiyan would understand what she means. And the motivation behind being in the same room yet cordial at the same time comes from La La’s understanding. She knows it’s hard enough for Kiyan to have that. So the best she and Melo can do is show her 17-year-old son that his parents can still be friends.

Why has Carmelo Anthony’s former partner still not changed her last name?

It’s understandable to have a cordial bond for better co-parenting. But some fans may wonder why La La still kept her ex-husband’s last name after all these years. During a panel at Fanatics Fest in New York City, the Power actress explained that the reason revolves around their son, Kiyan, and his budding basketball career.

With Kiyan aspiring to make a name for himself in the NBA, La La believes that sharing the same last name could help maintain a unified front for him. “It’s all about my son, not Carmelo,” she shared with the audience. By keeping the Anthony surname, she supports her son’s dreams and identity, allowing the family connection to remain strong.

As La La puts it, “That’s why I haven’t changed my last name yet. I’m gonna keep it around for a little while!” It’s clear that though Carmelo Anthony and La La share a cordial bond, they’ve kept everything between them about their son and not themselves.

Stay tuned for more updates. Join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host, BG12, sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.