Nia Long graces the cover of Essence magazine where she talks about feeling fabulous at 40 and being a proud single mom to her sons Kez and Massai Jr.

She tells Essence,

I’m in my forties, post baby and I’m thinner than I’ve been in years. The last step will be letting my hair go natural. That’s when you’ll know I’m free…,” the mom of two tells Essence.

In the issue, the working mom also talks about life with her sons and boyfriend basketball player Ime Udoka, and reconnecting with her father.