Stars Who Had Secret Pregnancies: Celebrities Who Kept Their Baby News Private Until After Delivery

Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender

The Oscar-winning actress revealed the struggle she went through with husband Michael Fassbender to start a family. “I tried to get pregnant for a while. So, I had tough times during lockdown [amid the coronavirus pandemic]. I struggled for a while. For a while, I didn’t think that I could get pregnant,” she told UK’s The Times on July 24, 2022.

When she finally conceived, Alicia suffered an “extreme, painful” miscarriage. She kept her next pregnancy a secret, and photos of her holding a little boy first surfaced in August 2021. “We have a child now, but it took us time,” the Ex Machina star added.

Ed Sheeran and Wife Cherry Seaborn

The extremely private couple let fans know they welcomed a daughter following her May 2022 birth. Next to an Instagram photo of white baby socks on a brown knit blanket, the “Perfect” singer wrote, “Want to let you all know we’ve had another beautiful baby girl. We are both so in love with her, and over the moon to be a family of 4 x.” Ed and Cherry’s first daughter, Lyra Antarctica Seaborn Sheeran, arrived in August 2020.

Elon Musk and Grimes

The off-and-on couple secretly welcomed another baby via surrogate in December 2021, Grimes revealed to Vanity Fair in a cover story for the magazine’s April 2022 issue.

The baby’s full name is Exa Dark Sideræl, though they’ve nicknamed her Y.

Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost

Colin confirmed on August 18, 2021, that the couple welcomed their first child together, a son named Cosmo. The Black Widow star had skipped in-person movie premieres for the two months prior, sparking pregnancy rumors, but she was never photographed with a baby bump.

Colin revealed they were expecting their first child together on August 15, during a stand-up performance at the Ridgefield Playhouse in Connecticut. “Colin performed two sold out shows here and announced to the audience that he and Scarlett are expecting soon,” a fan who was in attendance confirmed to Life & Style on August 17, a day before the couple’s birth announcement.

In a candid interview with Vanity Fair, Scarlett said that she was “so protective of both pregnancies, not wanting to feel scrutinized in the public eye. I wanted to be able to have my own feelings about my changing body without other people also telling me how they saw me, whether it was positive or negative.” The actress also revealed that she “realized when I was pregnant with my son [Cosmo], it’s funny how much stuff people put on you when you’re pregnant—their hopes or their judgment or their desire, a lot of that is put on pregnant women.”

Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra

The couple announced on January 21, 2022, that they had become paretns. “We are overjoyed to confirm that we have welcomed a baby via surrogate,” the joint statement began that each shared on their respective Instagram accounts, adding, “We respectfully ask for privacy during this special time as we focus on our family. Thank you so much.”

The baby news came just after the actress revealed in a Vanity Fair interview that she and Nick had family plans. “They’re a big part of our desire for the future,” Priyanka shared about having children with Nick, adding, “By God’s grace, when it happens, it happens.”

Seth Meyers and Wife Alexi Ashe

Seth Meyers revealed on November 25 that his wife, Alexi, had secretly given birth to their third child, Adelaide, in September. The SNL alum revealed the news during Late Night With Seth Meyers‘ annual segment where his sons, Ashe, 5, and Axel, 3, and their dog dressed in holiday-themed outfits. 

This year, his daughter made her debut in the segment as all three kids dressed as turkeys. 

“We had another one, you guys!” he said. “10 weeks ago.”

James Van Der Beek and Wife Kimberly Brook

The former Dawson’s Creek star secretly became a father of six after his wife Kimberly’s private pregnancy. The actor announced on November 22, 2021, that they had welcomed a son named Jeremiah, whom they would call “Remi” as a nickname. After the birth of the couple’s daughter, Gwendolyn, in 2018, Kimberly lost two babies in a row, both past the 17-week mark in her pregnancies.

“After experiencing late-term #pregnancyloss twice in a row (both at 17+ weeks), we kept this one quiet. Truthfully, I was terrified when I found out,” James wrote in the Instagram post announcing his sixth child’s birth. He revealed that after their two prior pregnancy losses, Kimberly was diagnosed with a weakened cervix and she underwent surgery. Jeremiah was delivered naturally at the family’s Texas ranch, and James declared, “Life is beautiful.”

Barbara Bush and husband Craig Coyne

It turns out even the daughter of a former president can keep a pregnancy secret. George W. Bush’s daughter Barbara Bush gave birth to her first child with husband Craig Coyne without anyone outside of her family and close friends knowing she was expecting.

“With full hearts, Laura and I are delighted to announce the birth of our new granddaughter,” George Bush and Laura Bush told Us Weekly on September 28, noting that the new arrival was born in Maine. The Bush family has owned a longtime compound in the town of Kennebunkport.

Celebrity Secret Pregnancies

Emily VanCamp and Josh Bowman

The former Revenge costars revealed on August 26 that they had secretly welcomed a baby girl. “Welcome to the world our sweet little Iris. Our hearts are full,” Emily wrote in an Instagram post that showed her infant’s hand holding her finger. She also included a photo of when she was pregnant, displaying her large baby bump.

Caitriona Balfe

The Outlander star revealed on August 18, 2021, that she and husband Tony McGill had secretly welcomed a baby boy.  She shared a black and white photo on Instagram of the infant’s hand holding onto her finger.

“I’ve been off socials for a while as I was taking some time to enjoy cooking up this little human,” she wrote. “We are so grateful for this little soul … that he chose us as his parents. I’m in awe of him already and can’t help stare and wonder at all the possibilities of who he will become, where he will go and what he’ll do on the big adventure of his life.”

Ewan McGregor and Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Ewan and his girlfriend, Mary, welcomed his fifth child and her first on June 26, 2021. Fans were completely caught off guard, as no one was aware the Fargo costars were expecting.

Three of his daughters broke the news of the baby boy’s birth via Instagram, with Esther McGregor writing, “Welcome to the family little Laurie,” while cradling her baby brother. Her older sister, Clara, did the same, captioning her photo, “Welcome to the world little brother. Congratulations to my Dad & Mary — this is the greatest gift.”

Patrick J. Adams and Troian Bellesario

The former Pretty Little Lies star shared with the world on June 4, 2021, that she and her former Suits star husband had welcomed a baby girl the month prior. “Ms. Elliot Rowena Adams joined us on May 15th under the wildest of circumstances. A whole new ERA for this family. Welcome, my love,” Troian captioned a photo of herself holding her baby daughter.

Emmy Rossum and Sam Esmail

The Shameless actress and her Mr. Robot creator husband welcomed a baby girl in May 2021, without any fans knowing Emmy was pregnant. She shared a black-and-white professional photo with her large bump when making her announcement via Instagram. “5.24.21. On a sunny Monday morning, at 8:13AM, we welcomed our daughter into the world,” she announced in the post.

Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song

The longtime couple welcomed their first child on April 5, 2021, but fans were completely unaware they were expecting. The very brief announcement came via Esquire, where the pair told the publication, “We’re overjoyed.” They named their son Dakota Song Culkin after Macaulay’s sister, who tragically died in 2008.
Dakota, the first child for both actors, is named in honor of Culkin’s sister Dakota, who died in 2008.
The couple released only this statement to Esquire after the birth: “We’re overjoyed.”

Emily Maynard and Tyler Johnson

Former The Bachelorette star welcomed a baby daughter Magnolia Belle Johnson in October 2020, with fans only finding out when she was in the hospital ready to give birth. The blonde beauty shared an Instagram photo looking down at her hospital gown with the caption, “ready or not #5 @mtylerjohnson” on October 16, then shared a video of Nola’s birth the following day.

Mindy Kaling

The actress managed to keep her 2020 pregnancy under wraps thanks to the COVID-19 lockdown and strategic photos in which she didn’t appear to have a baby bump. Mindy revealed during an October appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert that she secretly welcomed a son named Spencer on September 3. As with her daughter, Katherine, born in December 2017, Mindy has not chosen to reveal the father of her children.

Billie Lourd and Austin Rydell

American Horror Story star Billie and her fiancé, Austin, welcomed their lockdown baby on September 24, 2020, after never revealing the news that she was pregnant. Instead, the late Carrie Fisher’s only daughter shared a photo to Instagram showing her baby’s tiny feet and wrote, “Introducing: Kingston Fisher Lourd Rydell.”

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel

The power couple welcomed a second son amid lockdown in July 2020, but Justin waited until January 2021 to confirm the news finally. Justin and Jessica’s son Silas now has a baby brother named Phineas.

Amanda Seyfried and Thomas Sadoski

The couple announced the birth of their son in September 2020, without any of Amanda’s fans being aware that she was ever pregnant. The pair — married since 2017 — chose the Instagram sites for INARA and War Child to announce the little boy’s arrival, showing his tiny hand holding Thomas’ finger.

“Since the birth of our daughter 3 years ago, our commitment to the innocent children that are so brutally affected by conflict and war has been a driving force in our lives,” Amanda and Thomas wrote. “With the birth of our son, the work of INARA and War Child has become our North Star.”

Iggy Azalea

The rapper gave birth to a baby boy in late April 2020 but didn’t confirm she was a new mom until nearly two months later. After rumors were swirling that she secretly had a baby with ex-boyfriend Playboi Carti, Iggy confirmed in a June 10 Instagram Story that “I have a son.”

“I kept waiting for the right time to say something, but it feels like the more time passes the more I realize I’m always going to feel anxious to share news that giant with the world, she continued, adding, “I want to keep his life private but wanted to make it clear he is not a secret and I love him beyond words.”

Rooney Mara and Joaquin Phoenix

Rooney and fiancé Joaquin are so private when it comes to their personal lives that not only was she never photographed while pregnant, but the couple also didn’t even announce the birth of their son. Instead, the Walk the Line star’s friend, Russian filmmaker Victor Kossakovsky, shared the news during the 2020 Zurich Film Festival.

“He just got a baby, by the way,” the director revealed. “A beautiful son called River.” The couple named their child after Joaquin’s late brother, who died of an accidental drug overdose in 1993.

Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden

The retired actress and the Good Charlotte rocker secretly welcomed a daughter after nearly five years of marriage. “Happy New Year from the Maddens! We are so happy, blessed and grateful to begin this new decade by announcing the birth of our daughter, Raddix Madden,” the couple shared in a January 3, 2020, Instagram post, adding, “She has instantly captured our hearts and completed our family.”

While we are overjoyed to share this news, we also feel a strong instinct to protect our little one’s privacy,” the couple continued. “So, we won’t be posting pictures or sharing any more details, other than the fact that she is really really cute!! Some would even say RAD.”

Enrique Iglesias and Anna Kournikova

The singer and the former tennis pro welcomed twins Nicholas and Lucy in December 2017, after being a couple since 2001. It came as a surprise to fans, as the pair never mentioned Anna’s pregnancy, and she managed to avoid being photographed with her baby bump.

Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott

Despite incessant pregnancy rumors in 2017, Kylie Jenner never confirmed she was expecting, nor was she ever photographed with a baby bump. Instead, she announced the birth of her daughter, Stormi Webster, in an 11-minute video released three days after Stormi’s February 1, 2018, birth.

The cosmetics mogul explained her reason for keeping her pregnancy private by writing, “I knew for myself I needed to prepare for this role of a lifetime in the most positive, stress free, and healthy way I knew how. I knew my baby would feel every stress and every emotion, so I chose to do it this way for my little life and our happiness.”

Alexis Bleidel and Vincent Kartheiser

The extremely private couple were so secretive about the birth of their son in 2015 that it took Alexis’ Gilmore Girls costar Scott Patterson to break the news in a 2016 interview with Glamour about the show’s revival.

“She’s really blossomed as a woman and now she’s a proud new mother and married and happy,” he told the publication. “We’re comparing notes because my son [born in July 2014] is about a year and a half older than her young son. I’m showing her photos and videos and what to expect.” Alexis’ rep then confirmed that the couple did welcome a son in the fall of 2015.

Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling

The gorgeous yet deeply private couple managed to keep the birth of both of their daughters a secret, as well as Eva’s two pregnancies. They welcomed daughter Esmeralda in 2014, followed by Amada Lee in 2016.