Mother’s Day is more than a calendar date – it’s a heartfelt celebration of the women who’ve guided, supported, and inspired us through every stage of life. From quiet sacrifices to life-shaping lessons, moms are often the emotional anchors behind our stories.

This year, celebrities across entertainment and music are opening up about the maternal figures who left a lasting imprint on their hearts and the transformative experience of becoming mothers themselves.

“I feel I’ve always chosen such strong, intelligent and caring women in relationships, because my mother was the prototype that they were compared to,” shares Tyler Perry's Beauty In Black star actor Ricco Ross. “I instinctively knew such a woman would in turn be the role model for my children.”

Singer-songwriter Maddie Zahm reflects on the evolution of her bond with her mother: “My mom is the greatest person I’ve met. It’s been such a pleasure to get to know her as an adult the past decade of my life. Transitioning from needing her and also wanting her around is such a special universal feeling. She’s the type of mom I love to share with those whose parents haven’t come around just yet.”

Maddie recently released a brand new single, “">Mothers & Daughters”—a beautiful, heartfelt tribute to the complex, ever-evolving relationship between mothers and daughters. The song glimmers with echoey, ethereal production buoyed by Maddie’s powerful voice, as she sings about the shifting dynamic between her and her mom. It’s a moving reminder that love can grow even stronger as we come to see our parents not just as caregivers, but as people.

For Naomi Johnson, this Mother’s Day carries even deeper meaning. “Becoming a mother has been one of the hardest but most rewarding events of my life,” she shares. “I almost lost my life during childbirth, so I am incredibly lucky to be able to hold and raise my baby girl. I would do anything for my daughter.”

Singer-songwriter Evie shares a deeply personal tribute to her mother, crediting her for the woman she’s become: “My mom is the reason I am the woman I am today – strong, compassionate, and determined. She is a true blessing, my rock through every storm, and her endless sacrifices and unwavering support have made all the difference. I wouldn’t be where I am without her love and guidance, and I am forever grateful.”

Vocalist Kaylee Bell says her mother's support inspired her to pursue a career in music, "My mother is the perfect combination of hard and soft and has given me a backbone I have needed for the career I am in, but she has firmly grounded me in family morals  and small town roots that have also helped me navigate roaming around the world for my career and I’m so lucky to have had such a fierce and loving role model in my life.”

Farmer Wants A Wife stars Jay Woods and Colton Hendricks are no strangers to the impact their moms have had on their lives—both personally and romantically. In the April 24 episode, the two farmers even went on dates with women their mothers handpicked for them, showing just how deeply rooted that maternal bond is.

Jay penned a heartfelt message, writing: “Momma, your love has shaped my world in more ways than I can count. You’ve always believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. Love you.”

Colton echoed the sentiment with a sweet reflection on generational love: “Honestly, the best part of my mom is seeing her be such a great grandma and realizing just how good I had it growing up with her.”

 

 

 

 

 

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Their stories remind us that behind every strong man is often a strong mother who helped shape his values, heart, and sense of home.

The women of Runaway June are also honoring the mothers in their lives—and celebrating their own journey through motherhood.

Jennifer Wayne reflects on how becoming a mom changed everything: “You grow up loving your mom but maybe taking her for granted, and now that I’m a mom myself, I realize how difficult it is, and how much love and time she put into raising me. I have loved before, obviously, but I have never felt a love so big as when I had my beautiful daughter, Lily, and that was a big inspiration while we were writing our new single, ‘New Kind of Emotion.’”

Bandmate Natalie Stovall shares how her mother’s quiet strength continues to guide her: “My mama is an unassuming, quiet hero. She leads by example and I’m so proud of her. It’s so fun to be an adult now and think about the way that she raised me. She didn’t just tell me to do things; she taught me by example, and I cherish and value that so much as a woman who’s hoping to have my own children someday.”

And for Stevie Woodward, it’s the memory of her mom’s love in the small moments that sticks with her most: “My mom is the strongest, most independent and selfless human I know, and I wanna be just like her. I remember being in, I think, maybe the third grade, and for weeks the teacher told us we had this project due. The night before, it was 9 p.m. and I remember coming out of my room and saying, ‘Mom, I have a project due tomorrow.’ And she stayed up all night making that project for me. I started helping, but then I went to bed around 10!”

 

 

 

 

 

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Whether they're raising the next generation or inspiring it, these mothers—and the ones who raised them—remind us what unconditional love truly looks like. As these stories show, the influence of a mother never fades; it simply grows, generation after generation. This Mother's Day, we celebrate every mom, stepmom, grandma, and maternal figure whose presence makes the world a little brighter.

Photo Credit: Facebook for Colton, Evie, Ricco, and Maddie