Honestly, if you grew up in the 90s, Vivica A. Fox was everywhere. She wasn't just another actress; she was the actress. From that jaw-dropping entrance in Independence Day to the gritty, heart-wrenching performance in Set It Off, she basically defined a specific brand of cool, capable, and undeniably fine Black womanhood on screen.
Fast forward to 2026.
A lot of people think that once a star hits their 50s or 60s, they sort of fade into the "legacy" background. Not Vivica. If anything, the Vivica Fox now and then comparison isn't about a decline—it’s about a massive, multi-industry pivot that most of her peers couldn't pull off. She turned 60 last July, and she’s arguably busier now than when she was dodging aliens with Will Smith.
The 90s Peak: When Vivica Became an Icon
Let's look back for a second. In 1996, Vivica had what most actors only dream of: a "perfect year." She starred in Independence Day, which was the biggest movie on the planet, and then followed it up with Set It Off.
She wasn't just playing "the girlfriend." She was playing Jasmine, a mother and a survivor. Then she was Frankie, a woman pushed to the edge by a broken system. You've gotta appreciate the range there. Most people forget she started in soaps like Generations and Days of Our Lives. That soap background gave her a work ethic that's basically unheard of today. She learned how to memorize thirty pages of dialogue in a night. It shows.
By the time Soul Food and Why Do Fools Fall in Love rolled around, she was a household name. And then, of course, there’s Kill Bill.
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Vernita Green.
That kitchen fight scene with Uma Thurman? It’s still one of the best-choreographed fights in cinema history. It cemented her as an action star. But even as the blockbusters slowed down in the late 2000s, Vivica didn't stop. She just changed the game.
The "Wrong" Movies and the Lifetime Pivot
This is where people get it wrong. They see Vivica’s name on a dozen Lifetime movies and think her career cooled off.
Wrong.
She basically built a kingdom at Lifetime. Between the So Wrong franchise and Keeping Up with the Joneses, she moved from being just "talent" to being a producer. She’s savvy. She realized that there is a massive, loyal audience of women who want to see her on screen every single weekend, and she gave it to them.
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Working with directors like David DeCoteau, she’s churned out a volume of content that would make most studios dizzy. It’s not about waiting for a Marvel call; it’s about owning the platform you're on.
Modern Business: The Hair Collection and Beyond
Beyond the screen, Vivica’s business moves are what really separate her 2026 self from her 1996 self. Most actors put their name on a perfume and call it a day. Vivica launched the Vivica A. Fox Hair Collection over a decade ago. It’s not a vanity project. It’s a legitimate empire.
She’s often mentioned that she uses her hair collection to donate to women battling cancer. It's a personal mission. When you look at Vivica Fox now and then, the "then" was about fame. The "now" is about legacy and ownership. She also recently celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the hair collection, proving it wasn't just a flash in the pan.
Life at 60: Dating, SZA, and the "Glow Up"
The internet nearly broke last year when Vivica appeared in SZA's "Kill Bill" music video. It was a full-circle moment. Seeing her reprise that Vernita Green energy—looking exactly like she did twenty years ago—was a reminder that she’s somehow escaped the aging process entirely.
She’s also been refreshingly real about her personal life. On Today with Hoda & Jenna, she joked about "taking applications" for a partner. She’s 60, single, and totally fine with it. She’s not using dating apps—she’s "old fashioned" and wants those real-life sparks. You’ve gotta love the honesty.
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What's Next in 2026?
As of right now, her schedule is packed. We’re looking at several upcoming projects including Like Father Like Son and Is God Is. She’s also been hosting Cocktails with Queens and The Screening Room on Fox Soul, where she actively champions Black filmmakers.
She isn't just taking up space; she’s opening doors.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators:
- Longevity requires versatility: Vivica survived the 90s, the 2000s, and the streaming era by refusing to be one thing. If you're a creator, don't just master one platform.
- Ownership is the end goal: Moving from actress to producer (and business owner) is how she maintained her lifestyle without waiting for Hollywood's permission.
- Stay "Ready": She credits her first acting coach, Sheila Wills, for the mantra "Stay ready so you don't have to get ready." This applies to everything from fitness to financial planning.
- Don't fear the "niche": Her work with Lifetime might not win Oscars, but it created a multi-million dollar career that is recession-proof.
The Vivica Fox now and then story is actually a blueprint for how to handle fame. You start with the talent, you build the brand, and then you own the business. She’s done it all while staying "booked, busy, and blessed," and honestly? She’s just getting started.
To keep up with her latest moves, you can follow her direct updates on her official Instagram or check out her hair collection's latest seasonal drops, which often feature new technology in heat-resistant synthetics.