Sophia Hardison is widely known as the only child of actor Kadeem Hardison, famous as Dwayne Wayne on A Different World, and R&B singer Chanté Moore. Her full name is Sophia Milan Hardison, and she was born in 1996. She comes from a family rich in TV, music, and fashion history, yet she has kept a mostly private life.
Many fans grew up watching Dwayne Wayne flip up his famous glasses on A Different World. Many others sang along to “Chanté’s Got a Man.” Sophia is the daughter who connects those two worlds.
This article looks at what is truly known about Sophia, her parents, her famous grandmother, and the family she grew up in. Every part is written in simple words so anyone can read and enjoy it.
Quick Facts: Sophia Hardison
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sophia Milan Hardison |
| Born | 1996 |
| Father | Kadeem Hardison, actor |
| Mother | Chanté Moore, R&B singer |
| Siblings | Only child of Kadeem; one younger half-brother through her mother |
| Paternal Grandmother | Bethann Hardison, model and fashion advocate |
| Stepfather | Stephen G. Hill (married Chanté Moore in 2022) |
| Parents’ Marriage | 1997 to 2000 |
| Exact Birthday | Not publicly confirmed |
| Career | Not publicly confirmed |
| Nationality | American |
Who Is Sophia Hardison?
Sophia Milan Hardison is the daughter of actor Kadeem Hardison and singer Chanté Moore. She was born in 1996.
She is Kadeem’s only child. On her mother’s side, she has a younger half-brother.
Sophia grew up around famous names, but she has never chased fame of her own. She has not built a public acting or music career.
Her story is less about headlines and more about a family that blends Hollywood, R&B, and fashion history.
How Sophia’s Parents Met
Sophia’s parents met in 1993 at a party. Their romance grew after they were chosen to present together at the 25th NAACP Image Awards.
At the time, Kadeem was already a star from A Different World, and Chanté was a rising R&B singer.
Her debut album, Precious, had come out in 1992 and later went Gold.
Two young stars from different parts of entertainment found each other, and their daughter would soon follow.
Sophia’s Birth and Her Parents’ Secret Marriage
Sophia was born in 1996. Her parents welcomed her before they were married.
In 1997, Kadeem and Chanté secretly married. They kept the wedding out of the public eye.
Their marriage lasted about three years. They divorced in 2000.
Sophia was still very young when her parents split, so she grew up with two parents living separate lives.
The Song Written for Sophia’s Father
One of the best-known stories about Sophia’s family is a song.
In 1999, her mother released “Chanté’s Got a Man,” the lead single from her album This Moment Is Mine. The song was written for Kadeem.
It became Chanté’s first top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and later went Gold.
So while Sophia was a toddler, her mother was on the radio singing about her father. That is a rare family memory few children have.
Sophia’s Father, Kadeem Hardison
Kadeem Hardison was born on July 24, 1965, in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York.
He became famous as Dwayne Wayne on NBC’s A Different World from 1987 to 1993. The show was a spin-off of The Cosby Show.
Dwayne Wayne’s flip-up glasses became an icon. In 2012, NBA star Dwyane Wade even wore flip-up shades at a press conference as a tribute.
In 2026, Kadeem returned as Dwayne Wayne in Netflix’s new version of A Different World.
Kadeem Hardison’s Long Career
Kadeem has worked steadily for more than four decades. His films include School Daze (1988), White Men Can’t Jump (1992), Vampire in Brooklyn (1995), and The 6th Man (1997).
On TV, he starred as Craig Cooper on Disney Channel’s K.C. Undercover from 2015 to 2018.
He also appeared in Teenage Bounty Hunters, The Lincoln Lawyer, The Chi, and the third season of Euphoria.
Sophia grew up watching her father keep working, reinventing himself across generations of TV.
Sophia’s Mother, Chanté Moore
Chanté Moore was born on February 17, 1967, in San Francisco. She grew up singing gospel in church.
She has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide. Her hits include “Love’s Taken Over,” “Chanté’s Got a Man,” and “Straight Up.”
She won a Soul Train Music Award for “Contagious,” her 2001 song with The Isley Brothers and R. Kelly.
In 2013, she joined TV One’s reality show R&B Divas: Los Angeles, and in 2014 she wrote a self-help book, Will I Marry Me?
Chanté Moore’s Later Music Success
Sophia’s mother has kept her career going for decades. In 2017, her single “Real One” became a top 10 hit on the Adult R&B Songs chart.
In 2024, she competed on the Chinese TV show Singer 2024, reaching the final. She was the first R&B singer to compete on the show.
That same year, her duet “So Distracted” with Eric Benét became her first song to top the Adult R&B Songs chart.
Sophia has watched her mother stay strong and creative in music across more than 30 years.
Sophia’s Famous Grandmother, Bethann Hardison
Sophia’s family story includes a fashion legend. Her paternal grandmother is Bethann Hardison.
Bethann was a pioneering African-American runway model. She later became a well-known advocate for diversity in the fashion industry.
She also managed much of Kadeem’s acting career.
That means Sophia comes from three generations of people who made their mark in entertainment and culture: fashion, TV, and music.
Sophia’s Stepfather and Half-Brother
After her divorce from Kadeem, Sophia’s mother married singer Kenny Lattimore on New Year’s Day 2002 in Jamaica.
Chanté and Kenny had a son in 2003, Sophia’s younger half-brother. The couple also recorded two duet albums together. They divorced in 2011.
In October 2022, Chanté married former BET executive Stephen G. Hill in Los Cabos, Mexico.
Sophia has grown up in a blended family, with ties to several well-known names in Black music and media.
Why Online Facts About Sophia Hardison Don’t Match
If you search for Sophia online, you will find many claims that do not agree.
Some sites give her exact birthday. Others say she studied at USC, works as a social media manager, or started as a quality analyst. None of these point to trusted sources.
A few websites even name the wrong mother, listing other women instead of Chanté Moore. One even claims Kadeem has a son. That is wrong. Wikipedia lists Kadeem as having one child.
The confirmed facts are simple: her name, her birth year, and her parents.
Why Sophia Hardison Stays Out of the Spotlight
A common question is simple. Why has Sophia stayed so private?
With an actor father, a singer mother, and a fashion-icon grandmother, she could easily have followed the family path into fame.
Instead, she has not built a public entertainment career. Her parents have also kept her life largely away from the media.
That choice has given her room to grow up on her own terms, outside the shadow of her famous family.
Sophia Hardison’s Life Today
Very little is confirmed about Sophia’s life today. No trusted source shares her job, where she lives, or her relationship status.
What is clear is that she remains the only child of Kadeem Hardison and a beloved daughter to Chanté Moore.
Her parents have both stayed busy, with Kadeem returning to A Different World in 2026 and Chanté still making music.
Sophia’s life is her own, and she seems content to keep it that way.
Final Thoughts
Sophia Hardison’s story shows how one family can hold several chapters of Black entertainment history. Her grandmother opened doors in fashion, her father became a TV icon, and her mother lit up R&B radio.
Being born into that much history can feel like a big weight. Sophia has answered it by quietly living her own life.
Sometimes the most personal legacy is not a career in the spotlight, but the freedom to choose your own path.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Sophia Hardison?
Sophia Hardison is the daughter of actor Kadeem Hardison and R&B singer Chanté Moore. Her full name is Sophia Milan Hardison.
When was Sophia Hardison born?
Sophia Hardison was born in 1996, the year before her parents secretly married.
Does Kadeem Hardison have other children?
No. Sophia is Kadeem Hardison’s only child.
Who is Sophia Hardison’s grandmother?
Her paternal grandmother is Bethann Hardison, a pioneering African-American runway model and advocate for diversity in fashion.
Was “Chanté’s Got a Man” written about Sophia’s father?
Yes. Chanté Moore’s 1999 hit “Chanté’s Got a Man” was written for Kadeem Hardison, who was her husband at the time.
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Want more honest stories about the families behind TV and music legends? Keep following The Ripple Magazine for well researched profiles you won’t find anywhere else.
