Meet GloRilla’s Parents: The Faith-Filled Roots Behind the Rap Star

The Breakdown: GloRilla went from gospel solos to gritty bars, but her roots run deep in faith and family. Raised by strict Christian parents in a tight-knit household of ten kids.

Gloria “GloRilla” Woods came up in a household where Sunday service was sacred. As the eighth of ten children, GloRilla learned early on to navigate the hustle of a big family under the watchful eye of a strict, church-going mother. From gospel solos in the sanctuary to home-cooked meals seasoned with love, her childhood laid the foundation for her unapologetic rap persona.

“I was raised in church, but we still used to watch 106 & Park and BET,” Glo told XXL. “I used to love Bow Wow, and Soulja Boy and Lil Wayne.” By sixteen, GloRilla embraced rap as her outlet, moving from singing gospel to spitting bars about the streets she grew up in. Despite leaving the choir behind, GloRilla’s respect for her family values remained unshaken.

Here is a look at GloRilla’s parents and how they helped shape her career.

GloRilla’s mother, a devout Christian, ran a tight ship. She homeschooled her children until the fifth grade, demanding academic dedication and religious commitment within their Frayser neighborhood home. GloRilla spent ages five to twelve singing solos in her church choir. Her mother ensured that gospel music guided her earliest musical experiences, instilling a sense of discipline and community engagement.

It wasn’t until child services stepped in that GloRilla and her nine siblings enrolled at Melrose High School. “I was so happy, though,” Glo told XXL. Her father, Edwin Woods Sr., also played a role in reinforcing that strong family unit. In interviews, GloRilla hints at a household where respect for elders and loyalty to kin were non-negotiable. And while Glo doesn’t often share intimate details about the parents who helped create one of rap’s newest superstars, she often drops little breadcrumbs.

GloRilla has since become one of the leading voices in hip-hop, and she’s living life on her own terms. She surprised fans in May when she confirmed she had undergone a rhinoplasty, sharing gym and bathroom selfies that showcased her visibly slimmer nose and captioning the post on X (formerly Twitter) with a cheeky “& DID” accompanied by a smirking emoji. She followed up the post with a second shot from a bathroom mirror with a better view of her new profile.

Prior to this announcement, GloRilla maintained a public stance against cosmetic enhancements. In August 2022, she clapped back at fans demanding she “get her body done.” “This my last time addressing this, you mfs better get use to this slim body, green pretty a** eyes & big beautiful nose of mine, cause ain’t a d*mn thing gone change,” the rapper wrote on her Instagram Story (per The Jasmine Brand).

Glo has clearly changed her mind about cosmetic surgery, and she doesn’t seem to have any regrets. The rapper has continued to post photos and videos online, appearing just as turnt as she ever was.