Dascha Polanco, renowned for her role in the ultra-popular Netflix series Orange Is the New Black, has just announced some heartwarming personal news—she's set to become a grandmother at the age of 40!
Taking to social media, Dascha shared her joy by captioning a photo of herself cradling her daughter's baby bump, “I just got a promotion.”
The soon-to-be grandmother was seen dressed in a blue dress, matching her 20-year-old daughter Dasany Kristal Gonzalez.
Dasany had also uploaded photos from her baby shower which took place earlier this month.
The pictures were captioned, “We already love you to the moon and back.. countdown till your arrival baby boy.”
The lavish baby shower for Dasany and her partner Dione was held on September 1, featuring cakes, balloons, and a host of other treats. One picture intriguingly showed mini wines given to guests as party favors, thanking them for their attendance at the special event.
Dascha has always been open about the challenges she faced as a young, single mom. In a 2020 interview with Parents Latina, the "In the Heights" actress spoke candidly about her experiences, noting how she became pregnant with Dasany at the age of 17 and faced financial instability.
“One night, my best friend's father said, 'What you're doing is horrible,' and he embarrassed me in front of everyone," Dascha shared. “But I was making the best decision that I could."
As if dealing with judgment wasn't enough, Dascha revealed that her daughter used to call her grandmother "Mami" and her "Dascha-Mom," highlighting the emotional complexities of their relationship.
"I told her I hated being a mother, and ever since my mom passed, I didn't celebrate anything," she told Parents Latina. Her journey wasn't easy, but it was her resilience and determination that led her to turn every obstacle into a blessing.
In a 2018 discussion with PEOPLE's Celeb Parents Get Real, Dascha opened up about her non-traditional parenting style. “I may not say strict, but I am going to say that I am a free-range parent,” she said, adding that her children will be "independent and successful, yet [have] rules." She punctuated her point with a cheeky quip, "Wow, isn’t that trendy?”
Beyond the headlines, Dascha holds her cultural background close to her heart. “Coming from the Dominican Republic, I do instill in them our culture, language, music, and confidence,” she mentioned.
As Dascha prepares to enter this new chapter of life as a glam-ma, her story serves as a testament to overcoming hardships and societal judgments. In doing so, she's not just paving the way for her family but also inspiring others to push boundaries and embrace life's challenges and joys.
With this recent news, Dascha proves yet again that milestones don't have age limits, and every moment is an opportunity for renewal.
