Have you ever wondered what happens to someone who steps away from fame? Lori McCommas has an interesting story that many people want to know about.
While most know her as Terrence Howard’s ex-wife, there’s much more to her story. She has built a quiet life away from cameras and red carpets.
Let’s look at who Lori McCommas really is and how she found peace away from Hollywood’s busy world, guided by her strong Jewish faith.
Who Is Lori McCommas?
Lori McCommas was born on June 22, 1969, in New York City. She is now 55 years old in 2025.
She comes from a Jewish family whose traditions deeply shaped her values and outlook on life. Although born Jewish, she later raised her children in the Jehovah’s Witnesses faith.
Before studying fashion design at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, Lori attended Henderson High School. This is where she would meet her future husband, Terrence Howard.
They met when they were both 18 years old. This meeting would change the course of her life in ways she couldn’t have known then.
Lori is described as an American of Caucasian background. She stands about 5’4″ tall and weighs around 128 pounds.
With brown eyes and dark brown hair, her look has stayed mostly the same throughout her time in public. She has always kept a simple, classic appearance.
Her Marriage to Terrence Howard
Lori’s relationship with Terrence Howard is what brought her into the public eye. They have a complicated history together.
After meeting in high school, the couple ran away to get married in 1989. This began a rocky relationship that would last nearly two decades.
Their marriage faced many problems, including Terrence’s reported struggles with alcoholism. These issues led to their first divorce in 2003, but that wasn’t the end of their story.
The couple decided to try again and got remarried in 2005. This second chance at marriage didn’t last long, as they divorced again in 2007.
Sadly, their relationship had some dark moments. Howard admitted to hitting Lori in front of their children.
According to police reports from 2001, Howard arrived at Lori McCommas house after a phone argument. He forced entry by breaking doors, chased her into the backyard, and hit her.
The incident ended when Howard’s brother stepped in. Though police records mentioned a closed fist, Howard later claimed he slapped her, telling Rolling Stone: “She was talking to me real strong, and I lost my mind.”
These hard times show what Lori had to deal with during her marriage. No one should have to face such treatment from their partner.
Lori as a Mother
Lori and Terrence have three children together: daughters Aubrey and Heaven, and son Hunter. Being a mother has been a central part of her life.
People who know her say she is a loving and caring mom. She has had a strong positive effect on her children’s lives.
She raised her children according to her Jewish faith, instilling in them important values and traditions. This religious foundation helped provide stability in their lives.
Her oldest daughter Aubrey has made Lori a grandmother. Aubrey has two children: Hazel Anita Gayle, born in 2012, and Adrian William Gayle, born in 2015.
Since then, Aubrey has made her own path. She is now a yoga teacher with training in breathwork and runs a company called Spirit Medicine.
In 2023, Aubrey shared on Instagram about being a young mother. She said it has “its fair share of challenges” but she “wouldn’t change a thing.”
Hunter, Lori’s son, has worked with his father on some projects. He sang backup on Terrence Howard’s 2008 album “Shine Through It.”
Her Career Before Stepping Away
Before leaving Hollywood, Lori worked in the entertainment business. She had skills that helped her find work in films and TV.
She worked as a costume designer for several movies. These included “The Best Man” (1999), “Big Momma’s House” (2000), and “Hart’s War” (2002).
Lori also tried acting in a few projects. She appeared in movies like “Sunset Park” (1996), “Spark” (1998), and “Glitter” (2001).
In some of these acting jobs, she was listed as Lori Howard. This shows how her identity was tied to her marriage at that time.
After her second divorce from Howard, Lori left the entertainment world. This was a big change in her life as she moved away from Hollywood.
Financial Freedom and Independence
Even though she left Hollywood, Lori has kept her financial freedom. Her net worth is thought to be around $2 million.
Part of her wealth comes from her divorce settlement with Howard. She also makes money from sponsorships that bring in between $350,000 and $400,000.
Having this financial security means she doesn’t need to stay in the public eye. She can choose privacy over fame.
Many former celebrity spouses struggle after divorce. Lori’s story shows how someone can build financial freedom outside of fame.
Her smart money choices have given her options that many don’t have. She can focus on what matters most to her without money worries.
Life in 2025: Choosing Privacy Over Fame
As of 2025, Lori continues to keep her life private. She rarely gives interviews or makes public appearances.
Unlike many in this digital age, she maintains no presence on social media platforms. This complete disconnect from online life shows her commitment to privacy.
The most recent info says she still lives in California. There, she has built a stable and quiet life for herself away from drama.
Unlike her ex-husband, who has been married multiple times since their split and faced similar controversy with his second wife Michelle Ghent in 2011, Lori seems to have found peace. Her life appears much more stable.
Her decision to step away from public life is a clear rejection of celebrity culture. She chooses real living over fame.
Being a Supportive Parent
Recent reports from March 2025 highlight Lori’s role as a parent. They say she “has been a loving and supportive mother to her sons.”
These reports also mention that she “has taught them the importance of family, hard work, and education.” These values reflect the religious foundation she provided, despite changing from her birth faith of Judaism to Jehovah’s Witnesses for her children.
Many celebrity parents struggle to give their kids normal lives. Lori seems to have found a way to provide stability for her family.
By staying out of the spotlight, she protects her children from unwanted attention. This choice helps them live more normal lives.
Her focus on family over fame sets a good example. It shows that there are things more important than being known by the public.
Finding Meaning Beyond Hollywood
Lori McCommas shows us that there is life beyond Hollywood. Her journey from fame-adjacent to private citizen is worth noting.
Despite the hard times during her high-profile marriage, she has created a stable life. She focuses on family and personal values instead of public attention.
In 2025, she continues to embrace privacy while supporting her children and grandchildren. Her story reminds us that stepping away from the spotlight can lead to fulfillment.
Not everyone needs public validation to find happiness. Sometimes the most rewarding path involves living quietly and focusing on what truly matters.
Lori’s story gives hope to others who want to escape public scrutiny. It shows that reinvention is possible at any stage of life.
What We Can Learn From Lori McCommas
Lori teaches us that privacy is a choice we can make. In a world where many share everything online, choosing privacy takes strength.
Her life shows us that our value isn’t tied to public recognition. We can find worth in our relationships, faith, and personal growth instead.
By focusing on being a good parent and grandparent, grounded in her religious values, she puts her energy where it matters most. Family can provide deeper satisfaction than fame.
Creating financial security gave Lori freedom to choose her path. This reminds us how important it is to build our own security.
Finally, her story shows that healing is possible after difficult relationships. She moved beyond a troubled marriage to find peace.
Final Thoughts
Lori McCommas has created a life on her own terms. She shows that stepping away from fame can lead to genuine happiness.
While we may not know every detail of her current life, that’s exactly the point. She chose privacy and seems at peace with that decision.
Her journey reminds us that sometimes the bravest choice is to walk away from the spotlight. Not every story needs to play out in public.
As we look at celebrity culture in 2025, Lori stands out for what she doesn’t do. She doesn’t seek attention or try to stay relevant.
Instead, she lives quietly, focused on what matters to her. And in that choice, she may have found what many famous people are still searching for: true peace.
For more stories about celebrities who chose privacy over fame, visit us at SayWhatMagazine, where we go beyond headlines to find the real stories that matter.
