OITNB's Dascha Polanco Opens Up About Becoming a Grandma at 40: 'I'm Still Fly' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Dascha Polanco.Photo:Jason Mendez/Getty

Jason Mendez/Getty

Dascha Polancois loving being a grandma.

TheOrange Is the New Blackalum, 40, spoke with PEOPLE at the American Express Gold Presents Luar’s SS25 NYFW Afterparty in New York City on Tuesday, Sept. 10, opening up about life as a grandma to her daughter Dasany’s son Dior, whom she welcomed in October.

“I’m sure I’m not the first or the last. There’s younger grandmas than me, but I’m still here, I’m still fly,” Polanco tells PEOPLE. “I’m enjoying him. He’s amazing. He’s a model. Dior, he’s modeling and he’s just a blessing.”

As for her favorite thing to do with her grandson, Polanco says it’s just spending time with him.

“To eat him up, gobble him up, change him, get him dressed, make him laugh,” she says. “I enjoy really being able to experience the milestones, but I’d love to take him to a museum. I love to stimulate him that way.”

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In the first slide, Gonzalez stood alone as she held her growing stomach. In other photos, her partner joined her as they posed together, sharing a sweet smooch in one of the pictures.

Dascha Polanco.Slaven Vlasic/FilmMagic

Slaven Vlasic/FilmMagic

In 2020, Polanco opened up toParents Latinafor their June/July cover story about beinga young, single mom. TheIn the Heightsactress had Gonzalez when she was 17.

Polanco rememberednot being financially stablewhen she was pregnant and feeling judgment from those around her.

source: people.com