Patton was born in Los Angeles, California to Joyce (née Vanraden), a European American school teacher, and Charles Patton, an African American lawyer. In Precious, Patton plays Blu Rain, a teacher at an alternative high school in New York. Patton is married to songwriter/singer Robin Thicke, son of Alan Thicke and Gloria Loring.Paula Maxine Patton (born December 5, 1975) is an American actress. She is known for her appearances in the films Idlewild (2006), Déjà Vu (2006), Mirrors (2008), Swing Vote (2008), Precious (2009), Just Wright (2010), Jumping the Broom (2011), and Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011).