Christina Milian is opening up about the financial struggles that shaped her childhood, and how those experiences influenced her approach to money and business.
During a recent appearance on the Richer Lives podcast, Milian reflected on growing up in what she described as "extreme poverty," explaining that while her family didn't have much materially, they leaned on values and gratitude to get through it.
"We experienced extreme poverty to the point where we had nothing at all," Milian recalled about her formative years. "What we did have is family and our values and being so grateful for every little thing, because when you have nothing, you realize any little thing is something."
The singer said those early struggles made her develop a hustle-first mentality from a young age, long before entertainment checks entered the picture.
"I was the kid that wanted to make money… I was all about a sale," she explained. "All I wanted to do was save it, just to say that I had that much money."
That mindset followed her into the early stages of her career, especially as larger paydays began to arrive, including one moment she said taught her the importance of budgeting even after she broke into the industry. Her initial deal with Def Jam, she said, paid her $125,000.
"That $125,000 lasted a long time… We were still living the way we were, and we're so afraid to touch that money, because we knew that we had to budget it for a long time."
Milian also spoke candidly about the entertainment industry's behind-the-scenes costs, and how perks that look glamorous on the outside can quietly drain an artist's finances.
"They'll offer you massages, dinners, shopping – but it's all coming out of your budget," she said
Milian also pointed to her experience with the iconic "Call Me, Beep Me" theme from Kim Possible as an example of how creative work doesn't always translate into long-term financial security unless proper deals are in place. Milian was a performer on the song, but not a writer — something she still regrets.
"I got paid a flat fee for 'Call Me, Beep Me.' The song went number one and that was it," Milian said. "I wish I'd written just a couple of words."
The conversation also touched on identity and representation. Milian revealed that early in her career, she was encouraged to make changes to increase her mainstream marketability, including changing her last name from Flores to Milian (her mother's maiden name), something she says had an immediate effect.
"Changing my last name changed the trajectory of my whole career overnight… It's crazy, and it's unfortunate," she said. "It's not something that I'm proud of, but I'm happy we see more Black, Latina faces on television."
Milian added that if she were breaking in today, she doesn't think she would've been pressured into the same choice, saying talent is now more likely to outweigh bias in the room.
Ultimately, she credited songwriting and publishing as the financial foundation that helped her survive the unpredictable nature of the entertainment industry.
"Really, it was writing. Once you get into publishing, it's something that's consistent for the rest of your life…Thankfully my songwriting is what helped keep me afloat," she said, before closing out with some advice.
"Don't do anything without a contract… My biggest lesson I've learned is do not make that big order until you have that on contract, until they sign the deal, til the ink is dry."