Kym Whitley’s back with her docuseries Raising Whitley, returning with all new episodes on January 4, 2014 at 9pm ET/PT. The OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network show features the actress/comedienne as she tries to balance motherhood and her career. The series’ debut episode drew in 1.2 million viewers and was OWN’s fifth biggest series premiere.
The Plot [Courtesy of OWN]: Kym’s accomplished career never prepared her for the phone call of a lifetime. While mentoring a troubled young girl, Kym received a call from the hospital saying, “Your baby is ready.” After learning that the girl left the maternity ward, leaving her four-day-old baby and only Kym’s contact information, Kym was faced with making a life-changing decision – to become a mother.
During the first season of Raising Whitley, viewers watched as Kym experienced the first steps of motherhood and understanding her unconditional love for her heaven-sent gift, Joshua. From experiencing his first haircut to finding a nanny, Kym had her hands full for the first cycle of her docu-series. In addition, cameras followed Kym and her riotous collective of friends – whom she calls “The Village” – who banded together to do something none of them have ever done before: raise Joshua…together.
In all-new episodes, Kym adjusts to life with a new tenant taking up all the “Man-space” in her house, Joshua’s adoptive dad Rodney. Joshua, now two and a half, is no longer a baby, and Kym faces new challenges and milestones like potty training and Joshua’s first swimming lessons as she balances her busy acting career.
Viewers will get an inside look into Kym’s quest to raise awareness of childhood allergies. Not knowing Joshua’s full medical history, a nanny mistakenly fed Joshua peanut butter. As Joshua could not communicate his allergies at such a young age, the incident inspired Kym to create the “Don’t Feed Me” allergy awareness t-shirts and care packs, where parents can write the child’s name and fill in their food allergies; making it easier for childcare providers to identify.
