Finesse Mitchell is the ultimate triple threat: a comedian from Atlanta, actor, and proud “girl dad” who has been captivating audiences since his days on Saturday Night Live. He shares the spotlight at home with his wife Adris DeBarge (yes, that DeBarge—she’s El DeBarge’s daughter!) and their two daughters, Elle Kate and Eva Kristian.

From late-night sets to late-night storytimes, Finesse brings the same energy, heart, and humor to fatherhood that have made him a household name. Get ready to laugh, swoon, and maybe shed a happy tear as we dive into the man, the myth, the Mitchell, and meet the family that keeps him inspired every day.

Having graced our June/July 2025 Father’s Day cover, we sat down with Finesse to get the scoop on life, love, and fatherhood. Let’s dive into the conversation.

1. What Is One Thing Most People Don’t Know About You?

I cry in any kind of sad movie, TV show, commercials, etc. I can’t help it. It gets worse the older I get. I always wanted to be a famous singer. I joined a singing group in college and quickly found out I can’t carry a note. So I pivoted into rap music, which lasted six months before I found stand-up comedy. I love to do yard work and landscaping.

2. How did you and Adris meet, and was it love at first sight? 

We met when I was acting in the movie Who’s Your Caddy. She worked for the studio. It wasn’t love at first sight. We were both already involved with other people. But, I knew if I ever became single later down the road, I’d shoot my shot, roll the dice, take a leap of faith, or just stalk her until she gave in or showed me proof of an official restraining order. Thankfully, she gave in, and we both loved The Cheesecake Factory spinach dip. 

3. When your first child was born, were you in the delivery room, and what was running through your mind in that moment?

I was definitely in the delivery room. My wife had a scheduled C-section because the baby was breached.  I saw everything. I saw more than I wanted or needed to see. I still have PTSD. I made the mistake of peeking over the curtain and seeing what the doctors were doing, and saw … I saw… I can’t explain it.

I just remembered thinking there’s no way my wife should be alive right now. Her entire gut was split open.  I knew my wife was a G when she answered her cell phone during the delivery and started laughing and carrying on a conversation as they pulled a baby out of her belly. I heard the doctor say, “Hold up, is she actually talking on her phone?” 

4. How did you and Adris prepare for your daughter’s arrival, and what traditions did you borrow from your families? 

Adris: Having our daughters dedicated at church was very important to me. For those who aren’t familiar, dedication is not baptism. It’s a special prayer led by the pastor that acknowledges that God gave the blessing of the child to the parents. The parents, in turn, give the child back to God, so to speak, by inviting Him to be the child’s guide and protector, and asking Him to give the parents wisdom and knowledge to raise and train the child up in the ways of the Lord.  

My dad’s cousins, Mary House and her husband, Clint, whom I deeply respect and admire, are pastors of Mountaintop Faith Ministries in Las Vegas. We took the short flight from LA to Vegas to have them personally dedicate our firstborn, Elle. Our second-born, Eva, was dedicated at Zoe Church in Los Angeles, where we were members at that time.

5. How did you choose the names of your children?

We came up with a list of about three names we both liked.  Ultimately, Elle beat out the rest because of the sentiment behind the name. Adris’s Dad is the legendary El DeBarge, and my Mother’s name is Lauta Kate (who is often called L. Kate), so we both agreed that it would be nice to pay homage to our parents by naming our firstborn Elle Kate. For our second-born, we just knew we wanted her initials to be the same as her sister’s; EKM. Eva was such a strong and beautiful name, and it was the one name we both loved, so we named her Eva Kristian. 

6. When you first held your daughter in your arms, what emotions flooded you, and what did that moment teach you about fatherhood? And your daughters? 

I think I was in shock. I was a DAD!  I couldn’t wait to be the best father ever. I was holding the cutest baby ever. She was long and healthy and looked like she was wearing a little black wig.  I just thanked God that this day had finally arrived. I had never been more in love with my wife and my baby girl. I’m so blessed. I love my girls.

7. Are you more of a “girl dad,” a “boy dad,” or both, and why?

I’m a dad trapped in a girl dad’s life. My wife always tells me that God gave me what I needed, not what I wanted. Apparently, I needed some tenderizing.

8. Adris, what memory of your own father guides the way you celebrate Father’s Day?

When it comes to holidays and family traditions, Finesse and I have really customized ours. Much of what we do is more so what has organically felt right for us than what has been passed down to us. Like many people, I tend to love and celebrate others the way I would want to be loved and celebrated. For Father’s Day, our daughters and I usually do some baking (Finesse has a big sweet tooth), crafting with personal touches, heartfelt written words (Finesse pins up the girls’ notes and cards to him all over the house), and thoughtful gifts we know he likes. You can always make Finesse happy with an Atlanta Falcons or Miami Hurricanes-related gift.  

9. Finesse, how do your parenting styles differ, and how do you and Adris handle disagreements about parenting decisions?

Adris is very hands-on, and she’s the ultimate nurturer. Watching Adris is like watching a professional parent. She has a lot of patience, empathy, and a soft delivery when communicating. She is a great mother. I support her methods and decisions because I feel my girls can only learn how to be great women with the values we want instilled in them from her.

My parenting style is more old school, “traditional” to how Black folks talked and reacted to kids back in the day. In fact, my wife jokingly calls me “Rah-Rah” because of my tone. I feel it’s a good balance.  We act as one when it comes to our girls. We get on the same page and then tag team a lot of decisions, explanations, and discipline. Our girls are still young, so no heavy lifting or parenting disagreements have popped up as of yet.

10. Do you mix humor from your family experience into your comedy routine?

Definitely!  I talk about my family and being a girl dad all the time on stage. My family is my inspiration for everything I do. My sense of humor comes from all of my family members. My parents are funny. My brother is funny in his own way. My wife is the funniest without even trying to be. My children show me every day that if you create an environment where kids want to laugh, the jokes start to write themselves as you’re watching them grow up happy.

11. Finesse, what one thing with your children made you feel most proud as a father this year?

Both of my girls are great students and very nice people. That makes me proud. They also sing and play piano. I suck at both. Every time I hear them singing or playing piano, I feel proud. My youngest tells everyone she wants to be a comedian. That makes me proud because clearly that’s a testament to how DOPE her daddy is. 

12. Adris, what will Father’s Day this year look like for Finesse? Anything you can share?

This year, we will be taking Finesse to one of his favorite steakhouses. Most likely, Mastros.

13. How do you balance busy careers with carving out quality family time?

It is tough because I travel a lot. My wife handles everyone’s Google calendar. When I am home, I try my best to stay connected with my family. As long as I can take naps, I can balance anything. Plus, they all understand why I leave. The kids don’t like it, but they get it and always greet me at the door when I return like two excited puppies. Those walking through the front door hugs feel amazing. 

14. What’s the funniest thing your children have ever said or done lately?

That’s hard because they always have us laughing. My oldest, Elle, was watching this year’s NFL draft with me (we are Atlanta Falcons fans), and the guy singing the National Anthem before it started sounded HORRIBLE. When he was done, on cue, Air Force jets flew over the venue, and Elle said, “Daddy, somebody called the army to lock him up!” We both burst into laughter.

My girls make me laugh all the time. They always try to out funny each other even though their Mom is the funniest. I get a lot of my best jokes from Adris, who is extremely witty. Recently, I was informed by my wife that our six-year-old, Eva, asked for a bra because, according to her, that will “make her a lady, and once she’s a lady, she can have a boyfriend”. My wife asked why she wants a boyfriend, and she replied, “So I can get chocolates, duh!”. So, I immediately took Eva to the store and bought her a bunch of chocolates. I’d rather she have cavities than a boyfriend. 

15. What’s the funniest parenting “fail” you’ve experienced, and what did you learn from it?

When Eva was three, she was hopping on the sofa like a frog, saying “ribbit”.  I was cracking up and videoing her at the same time. Then she hopped and missed the couch and hit the floor. I laughed my ass off. 

16. What fatherly advice would you give other dads?

Be the leader and the example of the vibe you want in your home. If your wife does something better than you when it comes to parenting, don’t compete. Let her shine in her natural element. You’re one team. Be consistent. Be engaged. Tell your kids they are smart and beautiful A LOT. Tell your kids you are proud of them A LOT. Be different from whoever raised you, IF you feel they did a poor job. What’s the point of passing down the bad just because you survived it?

Finesse Mitchell proves that swapping rap beats for dad feats is the ultimate encore. He turned a C-section saga into a family legend and made every yard work Saturday feel like a front-row comedy show. Balancing red carpet appearances with school carpool lines, he leads with humor, purpose, and unwavering devotion. He shows every dad that building memories and sharing laughs are the true measures of success. For more of his fatherhood adventures, follow him on Instagram @finessemitchell.

Finesse Mitchell’s fourth comedy special, “Slightly Offensive,” drops worldwide on YouTube’s 800 Pound Gorilla Media channel July 1, 2025.  Click here for more details and to watch on July 1.

From Hollywood’s iconic Bourbon Room, SNL alum Finesse Mitchell delivers bold comedy on married sex, cancel culture, dating traps, and girl-dad chaos. Slightly offensive? Maybe. Hilarious? Absolutely. You’ll be laughing and wanting more.

📸 Photographer: Michael Letterlough, Jr.  | IG: michaelletterloughjr