Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel seem to have it all figured out when it comes to co-parenting their 15-year-old son Walker. While speaking with Us Weekly, the actor said the key to co-parenting — which is unfortunately rather elusive for many families — is actually “fairly simple.”
“We’ve always tried to put [our son first],” Diggs told the outlet. “Because we do that, it doesn’t really leave room for us to speak negatively about each other. We want him to have as smooth and loving relationship as possible with all of us involved.”
And so both Diggs and Menzel — who famously met while performing in the original cast of Rent on Broadway in the 90s and split in 2014 — work to stay focused on Walker.
“The more we all can get along, the better it is for him and the more love and positive energy he gets,” Diggs continued. “We’re pretty proud about the way that we handled our relationship. Hopefully, it will continue.”
The Set It Up star has been consistent with this messaging. In 2020, the Tony winner told Us that he and his ex “have a very easy time” co-parenting.
“We never make a wrong step because we’re always thinking of Walker first,” he said, per Yahoo. “We both love Walker and want what’s best for him. I think once you do that, it allows for things to be a little bit easier.”
It’s also easier when you have such a praise-worthy partner. In his more recent interview, Diggs revealed that Walker doesn’t seem interested in following in his parents’ footsteps. Instead, the teen is honed in on basketball and weight training.
“It’s been really fun just watching him take athletics so seriously and at the same time focusing on his academics,” Diggs said. “I give all that credit to his mother. His mother is making sure that his academics stay up to [par].”
For her part, Menzel also speaks highly about her co-parenting relationship with Diggs. She has the same mindset about Walker being the priority and badmouthing being a no-no.
“Your child comes first, that’s all,” she told People in 2016. “He comes first and you have to get past your own egos and you never talk bad about each other.”
So it seems like it boils down to two things: Keep your focus on your kid, and — despite how you might feel about your co-parent — keep your lips sealed.
These celebrity exes are getting co-parenting right.
