It takes guts to pack your bags and move your family thousands of miles away from a place you once called home. It takes an extra sprinkle of courage to then adapt to a culture that’s vastly different from the one you’re leaving behind. Christina Milian made the brave move from glitzy Hollywood to romantic Paris in 2023 to live with her husband, French singer Matt Pokora.
After meeting in 2017, the twin flames quietly tied the knot in December 2020 and share two children together: Isaiah, who was born in 2020, and Kenna the following year. Milian, 44, also has a daughter named Violet Madison Nash, whom she welcomed in 2010 with ex-husband and musician The-Dream.
After traveling back and forth for several years, the singers decided living in the same city would be best for their family. Milian soon learned that moving to Paris came with a couple of big perks: the opportunity to expose her children to a new way of living and having easier accessibility to travel across Europe. That love of travel, which she shares with Violet, has fueled many a getaway for mother and daughter, especially now that her firstborn is splitting her time between Paris and LA for school.
The actress and Violet are currently collaborating on a Trainline campaign to show how train travel can help families create indelible moments together. We spoke to the pair to hear about how life is almost three years after moving to the enchanting city of Paris, the ways it’s impacted how she parents, and their shared love of exploring.
ESSENCE: You’ve been in Paris since 2023—what has parenting looked like for you in a new city and culture?
Christina Milian: Living in Paris has been such an incredible reset for our family. Parenting here feels more intentional. Everything from daily routines to how we spend weekends is slower and more connected. We walk everywhere, ride the train to explore nearby cities, and spend more time outdoors. It’s taught me to focus less on the schedule and more on the experience of being together.
What parts of Parisian life have been the most grounding for your family, and what still feels like an adjustment?
Christina: The rhythm of life here. Stopping by the local market, sitting for long meals, and taking day trips by train have grounded us. It’s a reminder that slowing down can make life feel fuller. The biggest adjustment has probably been managing school schedules across countries and learning to plan around European holidays. They come often!
Violet: For me, it’s been an adjustment not having as many drive-throughs or “on the go” moments. But I love being able to hop on a train for a weekend trip. It feels so normal and easy now to go from Paris to Lyon or Strasbourg, even just for a couple of days.
You and Violet recently teamed up with Trainline for your first campaign together. What made this project feel like the right fit for your family?
Christina: It felt so natural. Trainline has been a big part of how we explore Europe, from planning routes to finding the best destinations to experience together, and this campaign was really about showing how travel gets easier, and more meaningful, when kids help plan.
Violet: I loved that it wasn’t just about the destinations, but the experience. Trains are our time to talk, play games, listen to music, or plan our next adventure!
Violet is studying in Los Angeles now. How are you navigating parenting a teen who splits her time between Paris and the U.S.?
It’s a new chapter for both of us. Staying connected looks different now. Sometimes it’s FaceTime calls while I’m walking along the Seine and she’s on her way to class in LA. Travel has become part of our love language; when we’re together, we make it count—exploring new places, eating our favorite foods, and just catching up without distractions.
What are some of your favorite European train routes or destinations that feel especially great for family travel?
Christina: Paris to London is a must. It’s fast, fun, and perfect for a weekend. I also love Florence for the art and food, and Strasbourg for the Christmas Markets—it feels like stepping into a movie.
Violet: It’s so hard to pick since every destination and route has their own unique views, but I’d have to say Nice is my favorite for beaches and Strasbourg around Christmas. The lights, food, music, everything just feels so magical.
How has train travel changed the way you explore Europe—with kids, as a mom, and even on solo trips?
Train travel has made Europe feel smaller in the best way. I can plan spontaneous trips, and the journey becomes part of the memory. It’s less about rushing to the destination and more about enjoying the ride.
What does the holiday season look like for your family now that you’re based overseas? Have any new traditions emerged in Paris?
In Paris, my family and I love to go to the Christmas carnival in the Parc Toûleries and get on the rides. I just walk and enjoy the ambience. Closer to December, our favorite thing to do is go to Strasbourg to visit Matt’s family and to try some of the traditional foods. I always like to pick up at least one new trinket for the tree every year as a log of that year’s trip from the Christmas market.
What has surprised you most about raising kids abroad?
How adaptable kids are. They absorb languages, customs, and confidence so naturally. It’s shown me that kids thrive when they’re exposed to new environments, and that travel can be a teacher in ways school can’t.
Looking back, what do you hope your children take away from growing up between different cultures and countries?
I hope they grow up knowing that the world is theirs—that they can feel at home anywhere. I want them to carry a sense of curiosity and empathy wherever they go.
As you plan for the year ahead, what kind of travel or family moments are you most excited to create?
Christina: More spontaneous weekend adventures! I’d love to take the train to Italy again, maybe Rome or Cinque Terre, and let the kids choose a new destination, too.
Violet: I want to go back to Nice and visit Spain for the first time. And hopefully, we can make more memories together. That’s my favorite part!
To learn more about how to book your own train travel and Eurotrip, visit thetrainline.com.