Paula Patton’s Take On Beauty

Born to a Caucasian mother and African American father, the breathtaking Paula Patton considers herself a black woman, and is downright offended by the term biracial.

"I find [the term biracial] offensive. It's a way for people to separate themselves from African-Americans....a way of saying 'I'm better than that,'" Patton expressed. "I'm black because that's the way the world sees me. People aren't calling Barack Obama biracial. Most people think there's a black president....People judged me because I was light-skinned. [They'd assume] I didn't want to be part of the black race,"

Patton welcomed her first child, Julian, with her soulful crooner husband, Robin Thicke, in 2010.

"He's blond, he has blue eyes. It's crazy. Everybody's like, did you have anything to do with this? They think we like adopted a Russian child...and everyday I'm like he's gonna get blacker, no look," she said.

The stunning beauty has even been mistaken for her son's nanny due to their differing complexions. "blackness takes time" she jokingly told Chealsea Handler on her late night show, "Chealsea Lately," a tan is coming in, the hair's curlier, I'm telling you."

The actress realizes we live in a society where one's skin color is still an issue, which is why she has plans to impart some important beauty wisdom to son, Julian, when he's of age. "I think we need to teach our children that you need to love yourself for who you are and it's important to know that true beauty comes from within," she said. "When you're kind and give love and find joy in everyday you're alive, you are at your most beautiful. Mean and hateful is ugly no matter how you look on the outside."

Good thing her husband sees beyond the color lines. "I only have three White friends. I've got 20 Black male friends, who are all good men who take good care of their wives, and good care of their children. I know amazing Black men. Maybe the women have to take better care of their men. Maybe you're being too stubborn. Maybe you're not saying you're sorry. You have to take good care of him, too. You have to give love to get love." He told Essence magazine on an interview about interracial dating.

The thing he finds most beautiful about his wife aren't her innate good looks and lush curves, it is her intelligence and strength that have captivated him, and kept their relationship thriving for the past 18 years.

"I've never met a stronger person who stands by their will and their moral values. She is such an amazing human being. Ever since I met her and we were 16 years old and she was the president of the Black student union and I was just a silly White boy who didn't understand or have compassion." Said a still enamored Thicke.

Patton has maintained her svelte figure with some good ole' fashion hard work, but doesn't forget to occasionally indulge her cravings. "I drink a ton of water, laugh as much as possible and eat as healthy as I can, while still enjoying all the things that make me happy," she said.