Pregnancy is a deeply personal and transformative experience, and many celebrities choose to keep it private until after their little ones have arrived. From Halle Bailey to Kylie Jenner, these famous parents have opened up about their decision to keep their pregnancies hidden from the public eye. Let's take a closer look at some of these stories.
Halle Bailey, known for her role as Ariel in Disney's live-action 'The Little Mermaid,' surprised her fans when she revealed that she had given birth to a son at the end of 2023. Bailey had never publicly shared that she was pregnant, and when questioned about it, she explained that she chose to protect her own peace and keep the news to herself. She shared pictures of her son on her social media, expressing her gratitude and asking those who weren't interested to simply scroll past.
Sofia Richie, daughter of Lionel Richie, recently announced that she and her husband, Elliot Grainge, are expecting a baby. However, Richie waited until she was around six months along before publicly sharing the news. She explained that she wanted to protect the intimate space of her pregnancy and focus on her mental health and the well-being of her growing family.
Katelyn and Kane Brown, country music couple, kept the news of their second baby under wraps until the birth of their daughter in early 2022. Katelyn expressed the importance of keeping the pregnancy private, as it allowed her to cherish special moments with her daughter and husband without the influence of social media and the outside world. She shared her gratitude and excitement for the upcoming journey of raising strong, confident, and sweet little ladies.
Sometimes, the decision to keep a pregnancy hidden is rooted in previous pregnancy loss. James Van Der Beek, known for his role in the hit TV series 'Dawson's Creek,' and his wife Kimberly chose to keep the arrival of their son Jeremiah a secret until after he was born in 2021. James shared that they had experienced late-term pregnancy loss twice before and wanted to protect their privacy. He expressed his gratitude for the lessons learned from their past experiences and the joy that their new baby brought to their lives.
Keeping a pregnancy hidden can also stem from personal anxieties and concerns. Keith and Becky Habersberger, known for their work on BuzzFeed, remained tight-lipped about their baby news until after their son Henry was born. Becky admitted to being paranoid and anxious, fearing that things could go wrong or that she might have a high-risk pregnancy. She decided not to share the news until they knew everything was okay.
The pandemic provided a unique opportunity for secrecy in some cases. Mindy Kaling, actress and comedian, had her second baby, Spencer, during the pandemic, and most people didn't even know she was pregnant. With limited outings and meetings, Mindy managed to keep her pregnancy out of the public eye by shooting photos from the waist up and wearing baggy clothes. She reflected on the ease of keeping the news under wraps during the lockdown.
Privacy and protection of the child's life are also common reasons for keeping pregnancies hidden. Iggy Azalea, rapper and songwriter, surprised everyone when she shared the news of her son's arrival in 2020. She acknowledged the anxiety she felt about sharing such a significant aspect of her life with the world but emphasized that her son was not a secret and that she loved him beyond words. This balance between privacy and acknowledging the love for the child is a sentiment many can understand.
For some celebrities, the decision to keep their pregnancies private is about maintaining control over their personal lives. Jamie Chung, known for her roles in 'The Real World' and 'Once Upon a Time,' decided to keep the news of her twins a secret until after they were born in 2021. She expressed a desire to enjoy and keep certain aspects of her life private without overthinking what to share with the public.
Privacy can also extend beyond the pregnancy itself. Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden announced the birth of their daughter, Raddix, but made it clear that they would not be posting pictures or sharing further details. They emphasized the importance of protecting their little one's privacy while expressing their joy and noting how cute their baby girl was. This protective stance is a testament to their commitment as parents.
Paris Hilton, socialite and businesswoman, made a deliberate choice to keep the news of her first baby private. She even disguised herself when going to the hospital for the birth, fearing that sharing the news too soon could result in unwanted attention and public scrutiny. Paris explained that she wanted to experience the journey privately and on her own terms rather than having it unfold in the media.
Colin Kaepernick, former NFL player, and Nessa Diab, radio and TV personality, publicly shared the news of their child's birth in 2022, stating that they wanted to connect with their fans and share their life-changing experience. Nessa expressed how becoming a mom had already changed her conversations and life experiences, making her world bigger. They appreciated the support they received during this significant time.
Actress Amber Heard revealed in 2021 that she had a baby daughter via surrogate, highlighting the importance of having the choice to become a mother on her own terms. She emphasized the need to challenge societal expectations, such as the pressure to have a ring before having a child. Amber's journey to motherhood was a personal one, and she wanted to keep it private while celebrating the beginning of her new life.
Scarlett Johansson, known for her roles in Marvel films, kept her pregnancy with her first child, Cosmo, a secret until the near end of her nine months. Scarlett expressed a desire to avoid the scrutiny of the public eye and to have her own thoughts and feelings about her changing body. She chose to experience her pregnancy privately, shielding it from external opinions.
Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, singer and TV personality, surprised the world in 2022 when she announced the arrival of her first child, who was born via surrogate. She described the journey as sacRed and emphasized the emotional and physical hardships she went through to have a child. Adrienne's decision to keep the news quiet was rooted in the immense value she placed on this life-changing experience.
In 2018, Kylie Jenner, reality TV star and entrepreneur, shocked her fans with the sudden announcement of her pregnancy and the birth of her daughter, Stormi Webster, with rapper Travis Scott. Kylie had always lived her life in the public eye, but she wanted to keep her pregnancy private. At a young age, she felt unready to face the opinions and judgments that would come with sharing such a personal journey.
These stories from celebrities shed light on the myriad reasons why some parents choose to keep their pregnancies hidden from the public eye. From protecting their mental health and personal space to guarding their child's privacy, these individuals have made deeply personal decisions based on their unique circumstances. Whether it's about maintaining control, navigating past losses, or simply cherishing intimate moments, the choice to keep a pregnancy private is a deeply personal one that should be respected.