Garcelle Beauvais reveals why setting boundaries is her ultimate form of self-care

Garcelle Beauvais has spent decades in front of cameras, on red carpets, and in rooms where people expect you to say yes. Lately, she is flipping that script. At 59, she is leaning into something that sounds simple but can feel surprisingly hard, especially for women who are used to showing up for everyone else.

At a recent Lifetime event in Los Angeles, Beauvais talked about what self-love looks like right now. It is not just bubble baths or a quiet night in. It is boundaries, honest choices, and learning to protect her peace as her life shifts in a big way.

Boundaries and the power of No

Beauvais says she is embracing a new form of self-care by creating “boundaries” in her life. When she spoke with PEOPLE, she made it clear that this is an active practice, not a one-time decision. She explained that she is “trying to be more intentional” about saying “no” and setting boundaries as a way of showing herself love.

If you have ever felt guilty about turning something down, this next part probably hits home. Beauvais shared, “I can’t believe at my age, I’m still creating boundaries for myself and really putting myself first,” and that honesty is refreshing. It is also relatable.

Many of us assume we will magically outgrow people pleasing. Then life reminds us that growth is ongoing, and it often shows up in the most practical ways.

Saying no is not about being cold or difficult. It can be about clarity. It can be about choosing rest. It can be about not overbooking your life just to meet someone else’s expectations.

Family first, and the emotions of an empty nest

Along with redefining her boundaries, Beauvais is also stepping into a new season at home. Her younger sons, 18-year-old twins Jaid and Jax, will be leaving soon. She shares them with her ex-husband, Mike Nilon. And like a lot of parents, she is feeling the weight of time moving fast.

Beauvais said, “They’re growing up. I’m going to be an empty nester soon, so any quality time with them, I hold on to,” which captures that mix of pride and ache that comes with watching your kids become adults.

She is also mom to her son Oliver, 34, and she summed up her feelings in one word, saying her kids are “everything” to her. No matter how busy her career gets, it is clear that motherhood is still at the center of her world.

A sweet red carpet moment with Jaid

At Lifetime’s Love of a Lifetime celebration on Jan. 27 in Los Angeles, Jaid joined his mom on the red carpet. Beauvais said having him there gave her “butterflies.” That is such a real detail, because it is one thing to walk on a carpet for work.

It is another thing to do it with your kid beside you, especially when they are at that teenage stage where getting them to do anything extra can feel like a miracle. Beauvais put it perfectly when she told PEOPLE, “Anytime I can get them to come out with me and do anything with me, I’m so grateful, and I’m so happy because, you know, teenagers. But [Jaid] was like, ‘Mom, I’m gonna make it after practice.’ I was like, ‘Okay!’”

You can hear the joy in that. It is not about making a big deal out of celebrity stuff. It is about sharing time, even in small pockets, while you still can.

Preparing for the next chapter with a new companion at home

So what does Beauvais plan to do when the house gets quieter? She joked, ‘I got a dog! So that was good. I got an Australian labradoodle. His name is Kobe after Kobe Bryant, so I have that.’ Honestly, that sounds like a solid start. Anyone who has had a dog knows they bring energy, routine, and a little chaos in the best way.

It is also a comfort to have another living presence around when life changes. Still, Beauvais knows there is more ahead than just dog walks. As she put it, “But I am going to try to keep myself busy. It’s another chapter. I can’t believe it,” and you can feel that sense of stepping forward while also looking back.

Fun Fact: Garcelle Beauvais says she is getting ready for the empty-nest stage by adopting an Australian labradoodle named Kobe, inspired by Kobe Bryant.

A new Lifetime movie with romance, travel, and old feelings

Beauvais is also staying busy with new work. She stars in Lifetime’s Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted 2 Love as Ava, a chef who travels to Portugal with her new boyfriend, Ellis (played by Boris Kodjoe). While she’s there, she runs into her much younger ex, Luke (played by Vaughn W. Hebron).

It is the kind of setup that practically guarantees sparks. The official synopsis teases the emotional tension, saying, “As Ava and Luke’s paths cross, unresolved emotions simmer to the surface,” and “Their attraction and love for each other will force them to decide once again what is best for their careers and relationship.”

That whole premise fits nicely with the themes Beauvais is talking about in her real life, too. Boundaries. Choices. And deciding what you want in this next season.

Fun Fact:  “Terry McMillan Presents, Tempted 2 Love” is a Lifetime movie starring Garcelle Beauvais and Boris Kodjoe, and it is part of the “Terry McMillan Presents” movie slate.

Looking back, staying grateful, encouraging other women

Beauvais also reflected on her long career in entertainment. After five seasons on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, she announced her exit from RHOBH in March 2025. Even with that change, she says she feels “grateful” for the opportunities still coming her way.

Her perspective is especially powerful when she talks about what she was told early on. She shared, “When I started in this industry, I didn’t have this long-term vision. I was also told that women in their 40s are done. Black women, I don’t need to say anymore. To have this longevity, to be able to create content now, and be an executive producer, and still working, it’s unbelievable,” and then added, “I’m so grateful, and I just want to tell women out there, keep going. Age is just a number, and it’s a privilege to be here and keep getting older.”

That message lands because it is not sugarcoated. It is earned. Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted 2 Love is streaming on Lifetime, and Beauvais is clearly stepping into this new chapter with her eyes open. More intention. More boundaries. More love for herself and the life she has built.

Fun Fact: Garcelle became the first Black cast member in a full-time role on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills“.

TL;DR

• Garcelle Beauvais, 59, says she is focusing on self-care by setting stronger boundaries and being more intentional about saying “no.”
• She shared, “I can’t believe at my age, I’m still creating boundaries for myself and really putting myself first.”
• Beauvais is preparing to become an empty nester as her 18-year-old twins, Jaid and Jax, get ready to leave home.
• She said, “They’re growing up. I’m going to be an empty nester soon, so any quality time with them, I hold on to.”
• Jaid joined her on the red carpet at a Lifetime event, and she said having him there gave her “butterflies.”
• To soften the empty nest transition, she joked, “I got a dog!” and shared she adopted an Australian labradoodle named Kobe.
• She stars in Lifetime’s Terry McMillan Presents Tempted 2 Love, set in Portugal and centered on romance and unresolved feelings.
• Looking back on her career and RHOBH exit, she said she feels “grateful” and encouraged women to keep going, adding, “Age is just a number, and it’s a privilege to be here and keep getting older.”

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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