When you see Amber Rose—the buzzed hair, the tattoos, the unapologetic swagger—it’s easy to get caught up in the "celebrity" of it all. But Amber Rose Levonchuck didn't just appear out of thin air in South Philly. Honestly, the story of Amber Rose father and mother is a lot more layered and, frankly, more grounded than the headlines usually suggest. It's a mix of Irish, Italian, and Cape Verdean roots that basically created the person we know today.
She’s often talked about the "toughness" of her upbringing. That wasn't just a PR line. Growing up in South Philadelphia, her family life was complicated. It was a household defined by struggle, specific cultural expectations, and a very real sense of trying to survive.
The Man Behind the Name: Michael Levonchuck
Let’s talk about her dad first. Michael Levonchuck is of Italian and Irish descent. He was young when Amber was born—just 19 years old. Think about that for a second. Nineteen. Most kids that age are barely figuring out their college majors or what they want to do on a Friday night, and he was already stepping into fatherhood in a city as gritty as Philadelphia.
The Irish-Italian background is a huge part of the South Philly identity. It's a culture built on work and community, but for Amber, things weren't always smooth. While her father was a consistent presence in the early years, their relationship wasn't some perfect picture of suburban bliss. It was a working-class reality.
She has often hinted at the distance that grew over time. Michael served in the military—he was a veteran—which brought its own set of disciplines and, perhaps, emotional barriers to the home. In recent years, they’ve had their ups and downs, but the influence of that European-American heritage is something Amber has always acknowledged, even if she leans more into her maternal roots in public discussions.
Dorothy Rose: The Cape Verdean Connection
Then there is her mother, Dorothy Rose. If you’ve ever wondered where Amber gets that striking look or that defiant spirit, Dorothy is the answer. Dorothy is Cape Verdean. For those who aren't familiar, Cape Verde is a group of islands off the coast of West Africa with a deeply complex history of Portuguese and African mixing.
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Amber has been incredibly vocal about her mother's struggles. Life wasn't kind to Dorothy. In several raw interviews, Amber has shared that Dorothy’s own mother—Amber's grandmother—committed suicide when Dorothy was only 10 years old. That kind of trauma doesn't just go away. It ripples through generations.
The Reversal of Roles
Because of that trauma, Dorothy suffered from severe depression and anxiety for most of Amber’s life. Amber has famously said that she "became her mom’s mom" at a very young age.
- She was the one offering emotional support.
- She was the one telling Dorothy it was okay to cry.
- She essentially raised herself while trying to keep her mother afloat.
It’s a heavy burden for a child. It explains a lot about why Amber Rose is so fiercely independent. When you’re 15 and trying to figure out how to put food on the table because your family is living in poverty, you grow up fast. You don't have the luxury of a slow childhood.
The Controversy of Colorism
You can’t talk about Amber Rose father and mother without touching on the elephant in the room: colorism. This is where things get uncomfortable. Amber once sparked a massive debate when she mentioned that some of her family members—specifically on her mother's side—felt "superior" to African Americans because they were Creole.
She wasn't necessarily agreeing with them; she was describing a painful reality she grew up with. In many mixed or Cape Verdean families, there’s a history of "light-skinned" bias. Amber was caught in the middle of it. She was light-skinned enough to be "accepted" by some family members but still felt the pressure of a culture that tried to distance itself from Blackness.
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"With my family, they feel they are more superior than African American because we're Creole... it's something I've battled with most of my life." — Amber Rose
This statement wasn't just a random thought. It was a window into the dinner table conversations of her youth. It highlights the friction between her father’s European heritage and her mother’s African-European blend.
Growing Up in South Philly
The environment provided by Michael and Dorothy was one of survival. Amber has admitted to stripping at 15 to help her family. That’s a "parents" story as much as it is her own. When the financial safety net isn't there, the kids often have to become the net.
She lived in a one-bedroom apartment. Money was tight. Stress was high. While Michael and Dorothy provided her with the DNA of a superstar, the environment provided the hunger.
A Diverse Ancestry
To get specific about the "mix" that everyone asks about:
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- Maternal Side: Cape Verdean and reportedly some Scottish.
- Paternal Side: Italian and Irish.
It’s a classic American immigrant story, just with a modern celebrity twist.
Where Are They Now?
Michael Levonchuck has largely stayed out of the spotlight, though he occasionally pops up in social media posts. Dorothy, on the other hand, has been seen with Amber at various events, including the SlutWalk and high-profile parties. Despite the childhood trauma and the "role reversal," Amber remains deeply protective of her mother.
They’ve moved past the one-bedroom apartment in Philly, but those years clearly define their bond. Amber often posts about her "Ma," showing a relationship that has transitioned from survival mode to one of shared success.
Key Takeaways for Understanding the Family Dynamic
If you're trying to understand Amber Rose, you have to look at the intersection of her parents' lives. It wasn't just about "being mixed." It was about the specific pressures of their backgrounds.
- Poverty as a Catalyst: The lack of resources in her early life forced Amber into the workforce (and the entertainment industry) much earlier than her peers.
- Mental Health Awareness: Her mother’s battle with depression gave Amber a front-row seat to the importance of mental health, which she often advocates for now.
- Cultural Complexity: Her family wasn't a monolith. The clashing views on race and ethnicity within her own home made her hypersensitive to identity politics.
Moving Forward
If you're looking to dive deeper into how family history shapes celebrity identity, start by researching the history of Cape Verdean immigration in the Northeast United States. It provides a massive amount of context for why Dorothy Rose's family held the views they did. Additionally, looking into the socioeconomic history of South Philadelphia in the 1980s gives a clearer picture of what Michael Levonchuck was up against as a young father.
Understanding the roots of Amber Rose father and mother isn't just about celebrity trivia. It’s about seeing the human beings behind the persona—two people who, for better or worse, gave Amber the tools to build her own empire from nothing.