Debbie Allen’s 3 Kids: All About Vivian, Norman Jr. and DeVaughn

Debbie Allen has three children with her husband, former NBA player Norm Nixon

Debbie Allen is an award-winning actress, 10-time Oscar choreographer and the first black woman to receive the Governors Award, but the most important thing for her is being a mom to her three children: Vivian, Norman Jr. and DeVaughn.

“One of the greatest joys of my life is being your mother. I love my babies!” she wrote on Instagram alongside a throwback photo of her daughter Vivian, son Norman Jr. and stepson DeVaughn.

Allen and her husband, former NBA player Norm Nixon, were married on April 27, 1984, making her the stepmother to Norm’s son, DeVaughn Nixon. The following month, the couple welcomed their first child together, daughter Vivian Nixon. In August 1987, a son, Norman Nixon Jr., was born.

Given their family lineage, it’s no surprise that DeVaughn, Vivian and Norman Jr. went into the entertainment industry — Allen and her sister, actress Phylicia Rashad, grew up with an appreciation for the arts thanks to their mother, a Pulitzer Prize-nominated poet.

“I always encouraged my children to read, to study the classics. It connects you to other people, to the world,” Allen said in a 2021 interview LA parent.

However, she was careful not to make them follow in her footsteps. “You have to know your children and lead them from behind. You are there to support, and they go where they want to go. You can’t force them to be who you are,” Allen added.

Here’s everything you need to know about Debbie Allen’s three children.

DeVaughn Nixon, 40

Norm Nixon, Jr., Debbie Allen and DeVaughn Nixon attend Sophisticated Elegant Blacks in Art at the Karen Lynne Gallery on July 14, 2005.

Chad Buchanan/Patrick McMullan/Getty

About a year before Norm married Allen, on July 8, 1983, he had his first son, DeVaughn Nixon. Although he grew up with an athlete for a father, DeVaughn chose to follow in his stepmother’s footsteps instead. In 1992, he starred in Bodyguard with Whitney Houston and continued with roles in many popular TV series such as Lizzie McGuire, Drake & Josh and Sonny with a Chance.

In 2022, he played his father in the series, Time to Win: The Rise of the Lakers Dynastywhich served as a great achievement for the actor. “This is truly a dream come true,” DeVaughn told PEOPLE at the time. “That’s the biggest layup I’ve ever gotten in my entire life.”

In his personal life, DeVaughn is married to Lara Nixon and maintains a close friendship with Diana Ross’ son, Evan Ross.

Vivian Nichole Nixon, 39

Debbie Allen and Vivian Nixon at the premiere of MGM’s “Respect” in Los Angeles on August 8, 2021.

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Allen welcomed his daughter, Vivian Nichole Nixon, on May 31, 1984, a month after she and her husband, Norm, were married.

Vivian, named after Allen’s mother, Vivian Ayers Allen, was born prematurely and weighed less than 4 lbs. “I was so scared when she was born,” Allen said Ebony 1991 “She was so tiny, but when I saw her take off her oxygen mask, I knew she was fine. I knew she was strong like her mother.”

As a child, Vivian started acting with small roles in TV series. “I was everywhere with my mom,” she said Dancing spirit. “I grew up on the set, in the theater, watching her. So I was drawn to art.”

She eventually followed in her mother’s footsteps as a dancer, enrolling at the Kirov Ballet School in Washington, DC. However, in Netflix documentary, Dancing dreams: Nutcracker with hot chocolate, Vivian explained that when she experienced racism from a teacher in her third year, Norm and Allen dragged her out of school. Then her mom founded the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, or DADA, where Vivian is now the executive director.

Debbie Allen and daughter Vivian Nixon during a visit by People’s Court Judge Marilyn Milian from “Hot Feet” on Broadway.

Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

The mother-daughter duo also collaborated on screen for 18 episodes Grey’s Anatomy which starred Vivian as Dr. Hannah Brody and Allen played her recurring role as Dr. Catherine Fox. Vivian also had roles on stage Hot feet and story from the west sideand acted in other series such as Station 19 and Power.

In February 2019, Vivian welcomed her first daughter, Shiloh, with her husband, Jazzston Williams, whom she married in July 2022. The couple has since welcomed another daughter, Aviah.

Speaking with Essence In 2020, Allen gushed about her family. “One of the most important things I do to keep my peace is the time I spend with my granddaughter, honestly,” she said. “My husband and I are very much in love with her and she is so in love with us and we watch over her every weekend.”

Allen added, “Being there and stepping in, however you can, is one of the most important things for me.”

Norman Nixon Jr., 36

Debbie Allen and her son Norman Nixon Jr. attend the 34th Annual PaleyFest Los Angeles Paley Center For Media – “Grey’s Anatomy” Screening and Panel on March 19, 2017.

Amanda Edwards/WireImage

Norman Nixon Jr., or “Thump” as Allen calls him, was born on August 26, 1987 in Santa Monica, California. Like his older sister, he grew up with an interest in acting and dancing, although at first his dad didn’t want him to dance.

In an interview with NPR In 2014, Allen said, “Dance is as athletic as basketball. The energy, strength, flexibility and creativity required to play basketball are no different than dancing.” Unfortunately, her husband and former NBA star did not agree at first.

“[Norman Jr.] he was really talented as a dancer when he was little, tap. I had to sneak around and give him lessons,” she said, adding that her husband “lost his mind” when he first found out, but eventually came to his senses.

Debbie Allen and son Norman Nixon Jr.

Debbie Allen’s Instagram

Like his older sister, Norman Jr. he also starred alongside his mom in 12 episodes Grey’s Anatomy. “He runs through sets and does his thing,” Allen said Hey! News 2022 about working with her son. – He is so wonderful, that’s why I love him so much.

But the mom and son duo still found time to dance on set, according to a video Allen shared on Instagram in 2022. “Taking a break to dance with my son,” she wrote in the caption. “I wonder where he got that from. 🤣💃🏽.”

Norman Jr. he also auditioned for the role of his father in the HBO series Time to Win: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, but ended up losing to his older brother DeVaughn. Despite the initial awkwardness, DeVaughn said Diversity, “I wouldn’t want anyone else to play my father but one of us.”

The actor also started doing comedy — at the end of February 2024, he filmed a comedy special in Los Angeles.

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Source: HIS Education