LL Cool J Opens Up About Being an Empty Nester: ‘They Have to Go After Their Dreams’ (Exclusive)

LL Cool J is getting used to developing a new dynamic for himself and his children.

The father of four has grown children, and the youngest, Nina, 22, recently graduated from college and moved away. The NCIS: Hawaii actor, 56, revealed to PEOPLE that he’s been spending more time to himself with Nina and older siblings Samaria, 27, Italia, 32, and Najee, 33, who are all away from home.

“I’m only looking forward to this NCIS: Hawaii thing. Other than that, I take life as it comes and just enjoy it. And like I said, you were put on this planet to maximize your potential. And so my life is not defined by the fact that my children graduated from university, which I am very happy for them. They have to follow their dreams and I have to continue to follow mine and make sure I fulfill my purpose on this planet,” he shares with PEOPLE.

LL Cool J says his kids are familiar with his “approach” and “nothing” has changed in that regard.

“I have to go after what’s in my spirit or what I’m inspired to do. And that’s how I approach life. You know what I mean? So that’s never changed. That doesn’t change whether the kids went to school or outside of school,” he says.

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LL Cool J and family in 2016.

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

LL Cool J’s 4 Kids: Everything you need to know

He continues about his children: “I love them, and I’m happy for them, and I want to support them in every way, but it’s important for me to always follow my dreams. I don’t think we should miss our dreams. You know what I’m saying? So I’ll just keep living. And I’m grateful. You know what I’m saying? I’m grateful and I love them.”

In an interview with the rapper for his new Coors Light Super Bowl ad, LL Cool J was asked about the scene in the ad where a dad meets his daughter’s boyfriend.

“Yeah, I had a few moments where some guys awkwardly shook my hand and things like that,” he told PEOPLE on set. “You know what I’m saying? I still don’t understand. I can’t understand how they want to… you know what I mean? I also saw the lower lip with a tremor.”

“I’m saying it’s a gift so you can think about that choice,” he explained. “All that quivering lip and all that. When we see a quivering lip, how will you handle the world if you quiver your lip with me?”

“You want to be a little tougher than that. You know what I’m saying? But that’s just my personal opinion.”

LL Cool J. Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

For the “Doin’ It” rapper, being a dad is his favorite job. But despite his own success, LL Cool J instilled the importance of hard work in his four children and avoided spoiling them. He talked about his approach to parenting in a 2017 episode of Oprah’s Master Class.

“This is the real world, they’re real people. And I’m a blue-collar guy at the end of the day,” he said. “I’m not going to raise spoiled kids who just don’t know what the real world is like who think they don’t have to do anything to contribute.”

He continued, “I’m just trying to lead by example, encourage them … make sure they know they can do anything they want to do.”

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Source: HIS Education