Bronny James’ Girlfriend is the Scion of Black Hollywood Legends—Who Approve of the Relationship

Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Bronny James made NBA history as the first player to share a roster with his father, LeBron James.

But off the court, he’s making headlines for his relationship with Parker Whitfield—and her Hollywood-famous parents are cool with it.

On Saturday, September 13, TMZ caught up with Salli Richardson and Dondré Whitfield. When asked how Bronny fits into the family picture, Richardson didn’t hesitate: “He’s a good dude.”

Whitfield gave the classic protective dad response, joking that Bronny’s still “on thin ice” until he delivers a championship, but confirmed the Lakers rookie has his respect.

For anyone unfamiliar with Parker’s lineage, her parents are Black Hollywood royalty.

Richardson broke out in Hollywood as an actress in classic films like A Low Down Dirty Shame and later starred on Eureka before moving behind the camera.

In 2024, she became the first Black woman nominated for an Emmy for directing a drama series and recently inked an overall deal with HBO. Today, she is known as a superstar director, with her handiwork seen on shows like HBO’s The Gilded Age.

Whitfield’s résumé runs deep, too, from his Emmy-nominated role on All My Children to his turn on Queen Sugar and Real Husbands of Hollywood. He got his start on The Cosby Show, playing Robert Foreman in a recurring role from 1985 to 1987.

The couple’s approval comes after Bronny and Parker went public with their relationship. Parker went Instagram official with Bronny when she posted a Disneyland photo for National Boyfriend Day with the caption “i love you!” Bronny reposted it with a crown emoji over her head, adding, “I love you babyyyyy.”

Parker, now a sophomore at Spelman College, has her own path separate from the NBA spotlight. Her dad celebrated her enrollment last year, saying the school would give her “a top-tier education, sisterhood, and citizenship.”