When it comes to family, Terry Dubrow believes everything has fallen perfectly into place—even the vibrant diversity of his children’s identities. The famed plastic surgeon and reality TV star, alongside his wife Heather Dubrow, are raising what Terry affectionately calls “such a rainbow of kids,” celebrating their children’s unique journeys within the LGBTQ+ community.
Speaking to E! News, Terry reflected on the colorful spectrum of their family, saying, “At times, I will remark to Heather that between son Nick, 21, twin sister Max, (who came out as bisexual), 18-year-old Kat (who shared she’s gay), and 14-year-old Ace (who identifies as transgender), we have such a rainbow of kids.”
Heather, he said, “used to say to me, not complaining, but just that it’s unusual that we’d have such a rainbow.” But Terry sees it as a purposeful gift: “I said, ‘We were chosen for it. That’s what we’re supposed to do with our platform.’”
Though he joked about other possible platforms, like being “a multi-billionaire building hospitals all over the world like Bill Gates,” Terry embraces the family role with gratitude: “That’s not the platform that I was given by the universe. So, this is the platform, and I recognize that. And I’m grateful for that.”
For Terry and Heather, being supportive parents goes beyond mere acceptance—it’s about changing hearts and minds by example. “If we can change hearts and minds by showing how our version of a normal, supportive family can be, we’re in,” Terry explained. “We try to be role models for these conversations, and that’s the platform that Heather and I have been chosen to have and to put out there. And we’re honored.”
He credits Heather as “the most fabulous mother and wife” and shares advice for parents hoping to cultivate a similarly loving home. “Act like there are cameras around and that you’re going to be held accountable for the way you act,” he advised. “That immediately removes all of your preconceived douchiness you might have.”
And at its core? “Give your kids a supportive, loving environment. That’s the perfect place to start.”
Terry knows it can be challenging to navigate generational differences, but listening is key: “You may have your biases and your preconceived notions, but it ain’t about you, it’s about them, and they live in a completely different world than you grew up in,” he said. “We all know the right thing to do. We all know the right way to act with our kids.”
With love at the center of their family, Terry and Heather are proud to publicly support their children. “The more accepting and supportive we are to them publicly, which is the way we are for sure,” Terry acknowledged, “hopefully that sends the message out.”
While Heather films The Real Housewives of Orange County in their longtime home, the family has recently moved about 50 miles north to Beverly Hills, a place Terry believes is “a better place for my kids.” Though their roots remain in Orange County, he noted, “The rainbow shines brighter up here than it does in Orange County.”
And behind the scenes, it’s eldest son Nick who often holds the family together. “He’s the one they go to on the sibling level to have these conversations, because they know if they go to us, it’s going to be a whole thing,” Terry shared. Sometimes, he added, “They just want to have more of a curbside consult. Because they do that with us, it’s a procedure. So, our kids are very supportive of each other.”
22 comments