Hollywood momagers: From Sharon Palmer to Jonnetta Patton, all the moms who helped turn their children into stars

More often than not, entering Hollywood — or the entertainment industry in general — means spending long periods away from family. However, there have also been several instances where family members, especially mothers, have gone above and beyond to help shape their children’s careers and support their rise to fame. Enter the “momager” — a term popularly used for mothers who successfully balance family life while also managing their children’s careers in Hollywood. From Sharon Palmer to Jonnetta Patton, here’s a look at some of the most famous momagers in the industry who played a major role in their children’s success stories.

Teyana Taylor, who is currently receiving praise for her role in One Battle After Another, was once managed by her mother, Nikki Taylor. From the very beginning, Nikki remained deeply involved in her daughter’s life, balancing the role of both mother and manager. When Teyana signed with Pharrell Williams early in her career, Nikki was right beside her, helping her navigate the industry and manage her growing responsibilities.

Katherine Heigl, best known for 'Grey's Anatomy', entered the entertainment industry at just nine years old. From modelling to acting, her mother, Nancy Heigl stood by her through every phase of her journey.

As Katherine’s fame grew during the early 1990s, Nancy actively managed her daughter’s career decisions and later even worked as a producer on several of her films, including 'The Ugly Truth' and 'One for the Money.'

Keke Palmer is best known for projects like Hustlers, One of Them Days and Akeelah and the Bee. Throughout most of her journey as a young artist, her mother Sharon Palmer remained one of her biggest support systems.

Keke kickstarted her acting career with Barbershop 2: Back in Business when she was just 10 years old. Soon after, the family relocated to California to support her dreams. In an older interview with TODAY, Sharon revealed that fame and money were never the motivation behind managing her daughter’s career.

“I never expected any of this. I didn’t do it for money or fame. It was for college,” she shared.

Yes, even music icon Usher was once managed by his mother, Jonnetta Patton, who played a major role in his rise to fame. Usher initially began his journey with the group Nu Beginning, but in the early 1990s, Jonnetta took charge of managing his career and even moved the family to Atlanta so he could pursue better opportunities as a solo artist.

Before becoming known as Megan Thee Stallion’s mother and manager, Holly Thomas was a rapper herself who performed under the stage name Holly-Wood.

She balanced her music career while also working a full-time job. Later, when Megan stepped into the rap industry, Holly left her own aspirations behind to help manage her daughter’s career. Speaking about her mother in an interview with Marie Claire, Megan once said, “I would see her fit in writing after work and before work. I’m used to seeing that work ethic.”