While promoting his new children’s book, The One and Only Sparkella, 40-year-old Channing Tatum shared some insight into his connection with his 7-year-old daughter, Everly (or Evie, for short). After getting divorced from his ex-wife, Jenna Dewan, in 2019, he’s been embracing the quality time he’s been spending with his only child.
“I paint my face, I wear tutus – rarely am I around the house without some sort of costume on,” he told Parents magazine, adding: “I want dads not to be afraid to go into their daughter’s world and discover who they are. When I became a single father, I had a lot of fear about connecting to Everly in every way that a little girl might want. I didn’t wear nail polish or know how to braid hair. But now I do both. I jumped with both feet into this magical world, and I was rewarded with a kind of love that I don’t think I would have ever been able to have otherwise.”
Parents can preorder The One and Only Sparkella ($17, originally $19) – which is “a charming ode to self-esteem” – before it hits shelves on May 5. Naturally, Channing drew inspiration from his little one when it came to creating the character of Sparkella.
“Evie loves to play tricks, wear crazy outfits, and be different from everyone,” he said. “She’s bold, beautiful, and magical in every way. We played a lot in her room over quarantine, and it helped flesh out the story. Even when I was home alone, I would find an item of hers that gave me an idea. Once, I sat on the sofa, and her fairy wand stuck me in the butt.”
