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Twenty years ago, Christina Milian hit the music scene with “Between Me and You” with Ja Rule, her first hit single. Since then, Milian has expanded her entertainment career, started a family, and married the love of her life. Now, the 43-year-old is returning to entertainment in a surprising capacity — and she looks incredible doing so.

A photo of Christina Milian wearing black in 2001 next to a photo of Milan wearing black in 2024
Christina Milian in 2001; Christina Milian in 2024 | Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage; Natasha Campos/Getty Images for Netflix

Milian is starring in Dexter: Original Sin, the highly anticipated prequel to the hit series Dexter. The “AM to PM” singer portrays a pivotal character entangled in Dexter Morgan’s early years, offering fresh insight into the infamous serial killer’s origins. She recently sat down with Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush on Today to share her experience filming the series.

Kotb asked Milian whether she was intimidated by this big show and its diehard following. The Love Don’t Cost a Thing actor replied, “I was very ‘let’s go!’ because that’s just how I am. I’m positive, positive, positive, but I was also freaking out. I mean, Dexter — the fandom that comes with the Dexter series, the original — it’s amazing. People really love it. They still watch it to this day. I love the show, and it’s just so entertaining. And it has you on the edge of your seat.”

Wearing a black dress and white coat, Christina Milian dodges the paparazzi in NYC in 2024
Christina Milian outside of the ‘Today Show’ on December 9, 2024 | Raymond Hall/GC Image

Milian donned a black sheer dress as she sat with Kotb and Bush. The piece has a sculptural white layer underneath, adding a fun twist to the fall/winter staple. Milian wore gold rectangular earrings and chocolate pointed-toe heels for a chic look as she explained that she was also a bit overwhelmed by acting with major stars for Dexter: Original Sin.

Wearing a black dress and white coat, Christina Milian dodges the paparazzi in NYC in 2024
Christina Milian in NYC before the ‘Today Show’ | Jason Howard/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images; Raymond Hall/GC Image

“Patrick Dempsey was definitely — well, not necessarily him, but him in character — it’s fun to play a role against, especially the female detective, it’s very intimidating,” Milian explained. “… And I had to really hold my own and not think about the fact that I’m doing a scene with Patrick Dempsey.” The New Jersey native portrays a younger Maria LaGuerta, who was the lieutenant at the fictitious Miami-Metro Homicide Department on Dexter.

A photo of actor Luna Lauren Vélez in a green top next to a photo of Christina Milian in a white dress
Luna Lauren Vélez in 2024; Christina Milian in 2024 | Marleen Moise/WireImage; Araya Doheny/Getty Images

“I’m just so enamored with [Lauren Vélez],” Milian explained. “She did such a fabulous job … It’s great because she really planted the seed for Maria and then I really get to create the roots for this prequel to the original Dexter. So it was exciting. I was very nervous for the first couple of weeks, but I got through it.” Sneak peeks of Original Sin already showcase Milian’s dynamic performance.

A photo of Christina Milian and husband Matt Pokora next to a photo of Milian and daughter Violet, both in 2024
Christina Milian and Matt Pokora at the Paris ‘Make A Wish’ Gala on November 25, 2024; Milian and daughter Violet at a PrettyLittleThing event on July 9, 2024 | Araya Doheny/Getty Images
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Milian has also stayed busy with her family life. She’s been married to French pop singer Matt Pokora since 2020. “I’ve come across many attractive men in my lifetime, but something was just so different [with Pokora]. And I really just kind of melted when we just looked at each other.” The couple has two sons, Isaiah and Kenna. They also share Violet, 14, from Milian’s previous marriage to Terius Nash, aka singer and producer The Dream. The family lives in Paris, where Milian balances family life, acting, and entrepreneurial pursuits, thriving in her new chapter abroad.

Dexter: Original Sin premieres this Friday on Paramount Plus and Showtime.