If there is someone who embodies the word ‘graceful’, it’s Lauren Wood. Her warmth and charm can even be felt as she dials in on a Zoom call from Arizona in the middle of preparing for her trip to New York Fashion Week.
“Honestly, I don’t even feel like ‘typical’ is even in my vocabulary with how dynamic my schedule is right now,” Wood told Newsweek, referring to her ever-changing routine.
Wood, 31, who often goes by ‘Lolo’, is mom to 2-year-old Zydn, whom she co-parents with NFL star Odell Beckham Jr. They announced their relationship in November 2019, but decided to call it quits in the fall of 2023.
Lauren “Lolo” Wood poses in a white outfit. Juggling bicoastal co-parenting with her new role as co-host of ‘Ridiculousness’, she is learning how to balance both motherhood and a career.
Lauren Wood
Whether she is up at 5:30 a.m. filming or starting her day at 8 a.m. with her son, Wood’s day is often dictated by the needs of her toddler. “It keeps me on my toes,” she added.
After all, balancing a high-profile career and motherhood hasn’t been easy, but Wood credits her support network for helping her find her footing. “I’m hyper-independent and I will try to do everything myself,” the 31-year-old said.
“But that’s not always the best for the child. You’ve got to learn to ask for help and delegate,” she added. With family spread across California, Arizona, Texas and Miami, Wood and Beckham Jr. rely on their village to support them as they navigate busy schedules.
And if you are wondering how the TV host goes about her co-parenting relationship? With grace—it is very mindful, very demure. Ultimately, their son’s well-being comes head and shoulders above anything else.
“Odell and I have always been in agreement that Zydn comes first and neither of us shy away from sacrificing to do whatever is necessary to be done for our son,” Wood told Newsweek.
Zydn Beckham, Odell Beckham Jr. and Lauren Wood attend the 2022 ESPYs at Dolby Theatre on July 20, 2022 in Hollywood, California. The couple confirmed the end of their relationship in September 2023 after four years together.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Contributor
She said that respect and communication underpin their co-parenting dynamic, but it’s taken time—and they have both put in the work.
“We’ve grown up on the job, and I think seeing how well our son is adapting is just the greatest regard to our parenting, so I’m grateful for that,” Wood added.
The couple have been committed to keeping their emotions in check has been key to maintaining a healthy co-parenting partnership; “there’s no room for pettiness” as Woods said.
She added that she credits their co-parenting journey with helping her and Beckham Jr. grow as individuals, teaching them grace, patience and the value of prioritizing their son.
For anyone struggling to navigate the co-parenting dynamic, she gets it and told Newsweek that success doesn’t happen overnight. “There’s no room for arguing and getting your kid involved with whatever emotion you have, and we just keep that in mind.”
Despite her demanding life as a working mom, Wood is intentional about carving out that me-time and said that she’s an “introverted extrovert” who needs space to recharge on their own.
Her superpower? Sleep. “Sleep is definitely a priority of mine. I try to get as much as I can get in the shortest amount of time as possible,” Wood said.
Turning 30 was a coming of age for Wood, which changed her priorities and made her go forward in life with more kindness and compassion.
Her role on Ridiculousness has also opened new doors for the mom-of-one, sparking a passion for TV hosting and investment in self-development. “I’m taking improv classes to learn onstage presence and just thinking off the top of my head. I want to go full force on it,” Wood told Newsweek.
At the end of the day, it seems Wood has come to embrace the unpredictability of her journey. “There’s no destination; it’s literally just an ongoing experience that is a forever-changing process.”
