Motherhood often comes with its own set of challenges, and for Ayesha Curry entrepreneur, television host, and mother of four one of the most persistent struggles has been the feeling of “mom guilt.” Even with years of experience balancing family and career, Curry admits that this emotional weight is something she still faces daily.
During her appearance on Wednesday’s episode of the podcast Call Her Daddy, hosted by Alex Cooper, Curry spoke candidly about how she refuses to let motherhood define her entire identity. While being a parent is a central part of her life, she stressed that it is not the only aspect of who she is.
“I still experience that. I’m almost always in therapy talking about this,” she revealed, referring to her ongoing efforts to process and manage the pressure of mom guilt. Curry explained that while her marriage and family are priorities, she believes it’s equally important not to lose the qualities that once made her feel vibrant and confident. “If you lose all of those things that were interesting about you, even for yourself the things that made me feel confident and cool then what are you doing?” she asked.
Protecting Identity Beyond Motherhood
For Curry, nurturing her creative side has been crucial in maintaining her sense of self. She explained that exploring her passions and ambitions outside of motherhood doesn’t just benefit her but also enriches her relationships.
“It keeps me who I am to my family and the people that I love. But it also allows me to have a certain level of confidence that I don’t think I would have otherwise,” she said.
Curry has built an impressive career across multiple industries. She is the founder and CEO of Sweet July, a lifestyle and wellness brand, in addition to being a successful restaurateur, television host, and author of two cookbooks. Despite this broad success, she noted that women rarely receive the same recognition for versatility that men often do.
“When men do it, they’re like, ‘Oh my god, you’re so multifaceted. Wow, what a renaissance man.’ And I’m like, ‘Why can’t women do the same thing?’” Curry said. With frustration, she added, “What is giving you the ick so bad that you feel like I can’t do these separate things, be good at them, or at least try to?”
The Double Standard for Women
Curry’s comments reflect a larger conversation many women have about societal double standards. While men are often praised for juggling multiple roles, women are frequently scrutinized, questioned, or pressured to choose between their professional goals and family responsibilities.
Her perspective echoes the voices of other high-profile women who have recently spoken about balancing career ambitions with motherhood. In March 2024, during an episode of The View, Whoopi Goldberg shared that she had chosen her career at a critical point in her life, acknowledging the painful but deliberate decision to prioritize professional opportunities. “My kid came before my career, and I chose my career because I knew this would never happen again,” Goldberg explained.
Later that year, in August 2024, Halle Berry also addressed the issue, stating that she continues to have aspirations outside of motherhood. “Before I was a mom, I was me, and I try to stay connected to that so that my life doesn’t turn into ‘I’m only a mom,’” Berry said.
Earlier this month, actress Keke Palmer added her voice to the discussion, pushing back against the guilt mothers often feel for working. Highlighting the realities of modern life, she said, “I don’t think women should feel mom guilt for working in this economy. But the reality is, if you got to work, you got to work.”
Redefining Success for Mothers
What emerges from Curry’s reflections and those of other prominent women is a collective call to rethink how society defines success for mothers. The idea that motherhood must consume a woman’s entire identity is being challenged by women who insist they can be both nurturing caregivers and ambitious professionals.
Curry’s candidness about therapy, creative outlets, and the importance of self-identity shows a willingness to be vulnerable about an issue many women feel but hesitate to articulate. Her story resonates with countless mothers who wrestle with the same guilt yet strive to hold on to who they are as individuals.
As more celebrities and public figures open up about these struggles, conversations around mom guilt and identity are shifting toward acceptance and empowerment. For Ayesha Curry, the message is clear: preserving her individuality isn’t just an act of self-care it’s a necessity for her confidence, her creativity, and her ability to show up fully for her family.
