Lenny Kravitz recently sat down with ‘CBS Mornings’ co-host Gayle King to discuss his life ahead of the release of his new album.
Lenny Kravitz says he is proud of many things about his daughter, Zoë Kravitz, but even prouder at how she has helped him to grow.
Ahead of the release of his new album, Blue Electric Light, the 59-year-old rock star sat down with CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King and opened up about how he is in recovery from being a perpetual people pleaser, which Zoë put the kibosh on. Kravitz explained that his daughter — whom he shares with ex-wife Lisa Bonet — has taught him about the power of “no,” a concept that he otherwise felt deeply uncomfortable with.
“That’s something that I’ve been exercising and growing in. Where no is necessary — at times. And this is something that I actually learned from my daughter,” Kravitz — who was recently announced as a 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee — said.
He added, “She’s so good at creating her boundaries. And boundaries are healthy, you know? But that generation, they don’t have time to play.”
King and Kravitz’s conversation began as they were discussing the music artist’s forthcoming record, in which he shares his struggles as someone who is always taking care of others first. In the song “Human,” he sings, “When all of my days are done of pleasin’ everyone I’ll finally have begun.”
For the “American Woman” crooner, it goes back to deep-seated issues that center around feelings of insecurity. Despite decades of success in the music industry and successful pivots into acting — including a role in The Hunger Games films — he says he still feels like a desperate teen just hoping someone will give him the chance to show his worth.
“I think I was raised — not purposely, but to be a people pleaser. Where I put a lot of people’s feelings before mine. Because I want to see folks happy. And that can be detrimental if you go overboard with that,” Kravitz shared. “For some reason, I’m still that 16-year-old kid trying to get the record deal.”
As for his love life — which he previously labeled “cursed” — Kravitz has been linked to many a famous face since his 1993 divorce from Bonet, whom he married in 1987. After their split, he briefly dated pop singer Kylie Minogue in 1991 before moving on with Vanessa Paradis in 1992. During their five-year relationship, the couple recorded a duet together titled “Silver and Gold.”
He was also engaged to supermodel Adriana Lima in the early aughts as well as Nicole Kidman, however, both relationships ended before the couples could make it down the aisle.
The “Love Love Love” singer told King that while he’s always said that he feels ready to be in his next partnership, he feels more at peace with who he is as he approaches his 60th birthday than ever before.
“Right now, I’m just open,” he said of his love life, adding that he is always looking — which might be the problem. “When you desire something, you’re looking for it, right? But I find that when you don’t look is when you find it.”
He added, “I can say that I’ve never felt how I feel now.”
Until Cupid’s arrow hits him again, he is finding joy in other aspects of his life, including his music career and his growing family.
In late October, ET confirmed that Zoë had gotten engaged to Channing Tatum — whom she met while working on her film, Blink Twice, which she directs and Channing, 44, stars in. Since then, Kravitz has spoken about the love he has for his daughter and his future son-in-law.
“Hey man, that’s life,” he told ET at the 2024 Palm Springs International Film Festival in January. “When your family is happy, when your child is happy, that’s it — I’ve done well. Blessed.”
Blue Electric Light releases on May 24.
