Women's Health October 11, 2025 0 Comments

Tichina Arnold’s Shocking Transformation at 56 Revealed: What ‘The Neighborhood’ Finale Sparked Behind the Scenes!

So, here we are—October 13 marks the start of the final season of The Neighborhood, that CBS sitcom we’ve all come to know and chuckle with, following a white couple moving into a predominantly Black community. It’s kinda wild to think about saying goodbye to a show that’s not only given us laughs but also tackled some real-life topics like gentrification with heart and humor. And honestly, while it’s bittersweet for many, for someone like Tichina Arnold—who’s been a powerhouse as Tina Butler—it’s a moment filled with gratitude and, yep, a little nostalgia too. Curious what she had to say about wrapping up eight seasons, the juicy behind-the-scenes moments, and her fab advice for rockin’ life over 50? Stick around, because you’re in for some honest, sparkly insights. LEARN MORE

Starting on October 13, the final season of the hit CBS sitcom The Neighborhood—which follows a white couple who move into a predominantly Black area—will begin airing. And while it’s sad for some, it’s bittersweet for others. This includes Tichina Arnold, whom Woman’s World recently caught up with to discuss both her time on the show and her tips for being over 50 and fabulous. Read on to see what she had to say.

Tichina Arnold talks about the series finale of ‘The Neighborhood’

In The Neighborhood, Arnold plays Tina Butler, a mom and eventual grandma who viewers love thanks to her fast wit and welcoming personality.

“It’s gonna be very hard to say goodbye, but I’m very grateful that we do have some final organization to it. Some. We have some finality, and everyone gets a chance to brace themselves and plan for the next movement in life, so we are very grateful for that,” the 56-year-old actress said, before sharing what moments stand out from the past eight years.

“For me as an actor, most moments happened off camera, and it’s probably the raunch and rowdy stuff that I can’t even mention in this interview,” she said.

Tichina Arnold in 'The Neighborhood' — Tichina Arnold in ‘The Neighborhood’Monty Brinton/CBS

What she can mention is what viewers can expect from her character, Tina, in Season 8, saying, “Overall, she is still the same. She’s still in everybody’s business.”

“The matriarch does what she needs to do in whatever the situation is. And obviously, this year we have the grandbaby getting older. And then, of course, Tina and Gemma [Beth Behrs] up to their antics. So we have some pretty funny stuff that I’m doing,” she detailed. “But overall, she’s still pretty much the same. Loud and telling everybody what to do.”

Tichina Arnold opens up about being a person of color on TV

As a person of color, getting to be part of a show that showcases real-life issues like gentrification is really important. “Since the beginning of this show,” she shares, “Cedric the Entertainer [an actor and producer on the show] has done an amazing job at keeping the sanctity of a Black family living in a neighborhood being gentrified, and the roles of that. We find comedy and find balance because, for us, balance is very important.”

Cedric The Entertainer and Tichina Arnold in 'The Neighborhood' - Monty Brinton — Cedric The Entertainer and Tichina Arnold in ‘The Neighborhood’Monty Brinton/ ©CBS/ Courtesy of the Everett Collection

“CBS has been great with understanding that and we’ve had really great writers that are able to understand our sensitivity to it. For example, I get a lot of white women that approach me, saying, ‘Oh, my God, I have a relationship, just like you and Jenna have,’ so it’s given a window to relationships that we don’t often see,” she continued. “ Cedric has done a great job of just making sure that he conveys the story in a loving, open, honest and respectful way. And he’s done a great job at it for the past eight years.”

Tichina Arnold shares her tips for being over 50 and fabulous

In June of this year, Arnold turned 56 and she is not letting her age get her down.

“I still have hot flashes every now and then. They’re not as often, but I’m at a point where I’m changing my wardrobe and it’s almost like being a freaking teenager. I’m changing my style. I’m finding what makes me comfortable, but I still don’t want to lose my sassiness. I still want to have a little bit of an edge to me and I’m discovering myself all over again,” she said. “Never ever be afraid of change. Change is good. Change is not always bad. Change can be scary, but you don’t want to get older and close yourself off. Take all the wisdom, everything that you’ve learned thus far, and you want to be able to apply it. You can’t apply it if you’re closed off, but you can apply it if you’re open to having new kinds of fun.”

“I tell my friends all the time that it can be very depressing,” she added. “You feel like, ‘Oh my gosh, I just discovered that a part of my hair is gray.’ I just saw myself in the mirror this morning and I was, like, ‘You know what? I’m going to embrace my gray because I don’t want to dye my hair.’ I mean, that’s why they have wigs. So there is a fix for everything. You just have to be ready for change, that’s all.”

You can stream The Neighborhood on CBS every Monday beginning on October 13.