The resemblance was undeniable at the NAACP Image Awards luncheon in Los Angeles: actress Kyla Pratt and her daughter, Lyric Kirkpatrick, appeared as near twins. The pair’s striking similarity sparked conversation online and underscored a heartwarming moment of mother-daughter bonding at an event celebrating Black excellence.
Pratt, known for her roles in Love & Basketball and, more recently, as the voice of Penny Proud in Disney’s The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, shared a reel on Instagram documenting their time at the luncheon. The video captured candid moments of the pair traveling to the event, posing with fellow attendees, and sharing lighthearted selfies. “Another @naacpimageawards luncheon,” Pratt captioned the post, adding, “Too much fun as usual. And a bonus to have my Lyric with me.”
Pratt’s appearance at the luncheon wasn’t solely a familial affair. She was nominated for three NAACP Image Awards, including Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance for her work on The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. The animated series, a continuation of the beloved early 2000s Disney Channel show, remains a significant part of Pratt’s career.
Beyond her professional achievements, Pratt’s dedication to motherhood is evident. She shares two daughters – Lyric, born in , and Liyah, born in – with her partner of nearly two decades, Danny Kilpatrick. Pratt spoke to ESSENCE in about the importance of balancing her career with raising her children. “Having children has helped me learn how to balance my personal life and business,” she said. “My kids will only be kids for a certain amount of time, and I cherish every moment I have with them. Even if I find myself overwhelmed and having a moment, I think, this is only for a second. In a little bit you’re going to laugh about this. I want to enjoy this journey and not take it for granted.”
Pratt and Kilpatrick have maintained a long-term relationship without marriage, a decision they’ve openly discussed. “We’re going to get married when we feel like it,” Pratt stated in a interview. “There’s a lot of pressure that comes with that piece of paper. Why not work on your relationship before jumping into all that pressure? I don’t want to get married to get divorced…I want to have a great marriage, and that’s what I want to focus on. So right now, we’re good where we are.”
The NAACP Image Awards luncheon, held at NYA Studios West, brought together a wealth of Black talent, with luminaries like Kym Whitley and LisaRaye McCoy-Misick also in attendance. The event served as a prelude to the main NAACP Image Awards ceremony, recognizing outstanding achievements in film, television, music, and literature.
