A look at the great mothers behind these celebs…

WILL & CAROLINE SMITH
Commenting on the most important lesson his mother, Caroline, taught him, in an interview with Reader’s Digest, Will cited education and the correct use of the English language. ‘My mother could not stand improper English. If you ran out of the house screaming, ‘Where y’all gonna be at?’ She would say, “Hopefully y’all gonna be behind that preposition”. My grandmother would say, “A yawl is a boat, baby”.’

CHARLIZE & GERDA THERON
After failing to make it as a professional ballet dancer, it was Charlize’s mom, Gerda, who spurred her acting career. ‘I remember one night, at like two in the morning, crying my eyes out and eating litres of ice cream because I couldn’t dance anymore, and my mom saying “Well, why don’t you try acting?” I mean, because of some crazy moment at 2 am with Häagen-Dazs, I’m standing on a red carpet today.’

MILEY & LETICIA CYRUS
Mom Leticia and Miley are often spotted shopping and having lunch together and according to the Hannah Montana star she has ‘Tish’ to thank for her self- confidence: ‘I don’t want to be perfect, but I do want to be a role model. My mom always tells me that imperfections equal beauty. All of us are imperfect.’ We think that’s pretty sound advice, Miley!

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE & LYNN HARLESS
Mom Lynn Harless encouraged Justin to pursue his love of the stage from an early age. ‘One of my childhood idols was Michael Jordan, and my mom said that just because he plays basketball better than anyone on the face of the earth doesn’t mean he’s better than everyone. It just means he plays basketball better. I think my mom knew I had a knack for performing and she wanted to instil that in me.’

MATT DAMON & NANCY CARLSSON-PAIGE
Professor of education and expert on early childhood development, Nancy Carlsson-Paige (aka Matt’s mom) has studied the effect of violence on children. ‘As a high-school kid, I’d come home to find my mom in the living room watching TV cartoons, counting acts of violence, and I would watch with her to see what she was looking for. I agree with what she says – it desensitises kids.’

PARIS & KATHY HILTON
Following her infamous 2007 arrest for driving under the influence, the heiress’s mom, Kathy, told People magazine she recalls several requests from Paris on returning from her prison stint. ‘She said, “Mom, I want eggs, I want pancakes, I want waffles, I want toast [and] fresh juice”.’ And Kathy was more than happy to oblige her daughter who apparently told her mom she would ‘never drink and drive again’. A mother’s love knows no boundaries.

BEYONCÉ & TINA KNOWLES
Tina and Beyoncé Knowles aren’t just solid business partners. This mother and daughter duo are BFFs too. When quizzed by Larry King about their relationship, Beyoncé said: ‘I have the best mother in the world. My mother is literally my best friend. I respect her so much. Of course I want to be a mother and I only pray that my relationship with my daughter is like the one I have with my mother.’