Sheryl Lee Ralph’s 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren, Etienne and Ivy Coco, have followed in her creative footsteps

Ivy-Victoria Maurice, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Etienne Maurice attend the premiere of Broad Green Pictures’ ‘Just Getting Started’ on December 7, 2017 in Hollywood, California. . Photo:

Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage

Sheryl Lee Ralph may have portrayed a Dreamgirl onstage, but all her dreams came true when she welcomed her two kids: Etienne and Ivy Coco.

“I always knew I was going to be somebody’s mother,” she told AARP: The Magazine in July 2023, calling her kids “my greatest gift.” She and her ex-husband, Eric Maurice, welcomed their son Etienne in 1992, followed by their daughter, Ivy-Victoria who goes by Ivy Coco, in 1995.

While Ralph has had a successful career in Hollywood, she says her kids are “part of my best legacy.”

“They always say, ‘Children keep you young.’ If you’re open to it, they absolutely do,” she told Self in March 2024, adding that they inspire her to take better care of her physical and mental health.

Etienne Maurice, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Ivy Coco Maurice attend the 2023 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards on March 09, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

Arnold Turner/Getty

These days, Ralph’s kids are both adults, with Etienne running a nonprofit called WalkGood LA and Ivy Coco serving as her mom’s stylist.

“I’m so proud of them,” she told PEOPLE in August 2023. “They’re not looking at me to help them do this or that. … They’re doing it themselves, and I just respect them so much for that.”

In April 2024, Etienne and Ivy Coco teamed up to design a shoe for a collab between WalkGood LA and the sportswear brand On. The sneaker, which featured a Jamaican flag detail, honored Ralph’s late mother, whom they called Grandy.

Here’s everything to know about Sheryl Lee Ralph’s kids: Etienne and Ivy Coco.

Etienne MauriceSheryl Lee Ralph and Etienne Maurice arrives at the The BAFTA Tea Party on January 14, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Ralph and Maurice welcomed their first 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥, son Etienne Maurice, in 1992.

As Ralph pursued different opportunities in Hollywood, like appearing in Designing Woman and Sister Act 2, Etienne grew up away from the spotlight. When he was 1 year old, he accompanied his mom to the annual Hollywood Christmas Parade just in time for the holidays. Ralph’s first𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 eventually started making more regular appearances with his sister.

Fast forward to 2011, Etienne moved across the country to attend Drexel University in Pennsylvania, where he received his degree in cinematography and film production. When he was away at college, Etienne was involved in two serious separate incidents in 2013: he suffered a concussion from a car crash and was shot three times during a robbery.

Since then, Etienne has opened up about the “traumatic” experiences and in the process of healing, he was inspired to help others. In 2015, he founded the TV and film production company WalkGood Productions, which aims to “build communities through storytelling” to raise awareness for important causes, according to LinkedIn.

Five years later, he expanded the brand with the nonprofit WalkGood LA, which is a “Black & Brown-led community wellness organization based in Los Angeles.”

“The test has become a testimony. The pain has brought him through with greater purpose,” Ralph told PEOPLE in 2023. “And through his own experiences in life, he is able to be of better help and service to others.”

Etienne Maurice, Sheryl Lee Ralph arrives at the Premiere Of Apple TV +’s “Sidney” on September 21, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Etienne is flourishing in his personal life as well, proposing to ABC News journalist Stephanie Wash in 2023. “From strangers to soulmates,” he wrote beside a sweet Instagram post of their engagement photos. “July 6th will always be the day our lives changed. Issa fiancé! #HappilyMauriced.”

Etienne and Wash married on July 6, 2024, in Jamaica. “I am so blessed and happy to see my son find and marry such a smart and beautiful partner who has added so much to his life. It fills my heart with an overwhelming joy and happiness,” Ralph told PEOPLE. “It is as if all the love and good vibes in the world has come together in this spectacular moment, blessing their union with boundless hope and endless possibilities. And grand𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren too!”

Etienne has always supported his mom, whether by accompanying her on the red carpet or cheering her on from home. He was elated in 2022 when Ralph took home her first Emmy Award for Abbott Elementary.

“I’ve envisioned this moment for my mother my whole entire life. We are so proud of you Mommy! @thesherylleeralph you are A WINNER!!!! @ivycoco23 are in our seats crying,” he captioned a sweet video of him and his sister cheering from the audience.

Ivy Coco MauriceSheryl Lee Ralph, Ivy-Victoria Maurice arrives at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on March 10, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California.

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Ralph and Maurice welcomed their second 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 together, Ivy-Victoria Maurice, who goes by Ivy Coco, in 1995.

Like her mother, Ivy Coco grew up to be creative and developed a love of fashion through her grandmother, designer Ivy Ralph, who she was also named after.

“My daughter was always in my mother’s atelier,” Ralph told PEOPLE in August 2023. “She was always in the workroom, the cutting room. And I just don’t know how it came to her, but she’s good at this. She gets it.”

Ivy Coco soon became her mom’s stylist, and Ralph couldn’t be happier with the results. “It started as something we were going to do just a few times,” she explained to Byrdie in August 2023. “But every time I had to hit the red carpet, she just kept getting better and better at it. So, now we work together.”

As for how the collaboration has affected their relationship, Ivy Coco shared that they’ve learned to be professionals around each other.

“I think the only dynamic that has now changed is that we see each other as partners,” she told Teen Vogue in May 2024. “People are like, ‘Oh my god, that’s your mom.’ And, I’m like, ‘This is my number one client.’ ”

Sheryl Lee Ralph and Ivy Maurice attend the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 10, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California.

Kevin Mazur/Getty

Coming full circle, Ivy Coco revived her grandmother’s atelier, The House of Ivy, and is the creative director of the brand. In addition, she serves as vice president for her brother’s organization, WalkGood LA, according to her Instagram.

Over the years, Ivy Coco made rare appearances on the red carpet, and as she’s found her footing in the fashion world, Ralph has enjoyed publicly celebrating her character and accomplishments.

“From holding you in my arms, to watching you conquer the world, every moment has been a blessing,” she wrote on Instagram in May 2024, after the pair were featured in Teen Vogue.

Ralph continued, “Nothing compares to being your mother, @ivycoco23. Collaborating with you has brought so much light into my life … If there is one thing we’ll do together, it’s SHINE 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦.”