When you think about building a family, there are so many ways to make it happen adoption, fostering, IVF, or the old-fashioned way.
But one path that doesn’t always get talked about? Surrogacy. Surrogacy has become an incredible option for lots of families including some pretty famous ones.
Celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Amber Heard have been open about their journeys with surrogacy, helping shine a light on what can sometimes feel like a taboo topic.
The more people talk about all the different ways to build a family, the better. Plus, hearing these stories makes us realize that no matter who you are or where you come from, parenthood is universal and it looks different for everyone.
Now, before we dive into the celebs and their experiences, let’s break down the basics real quick. There are two main types of surrogacy: gestational and traditional.
Gestational means the surrogate isn’t biologically related to the baby they’re basically the amazing human incubator.
Traditional surrogacy, though, involves the surrogate using her own egg, which does make her biologically connected to the child. Both options are beautiful in their own right, but if you’re thinking about going this route yourself, definitely do your homework since laws vary depending on where you live.
In January 2024, she and her husband, Charlie McDowell, welcomed their adorable baby girl, Tove, via surrogate. They shared the happy news on social media with a sweet message that gave major heart-eyes vibes: “Welcome to the center of our world, Tove Jane McDowell. Words will never express our endless gratitude for our incredible surrogate and everyone who helped us along the way. We love you to the moon and back again…”
While most people flooded their comments with love and congratulations, there were a few unkind messages thrown their way too. And leave it to Charlie to clap back in the most dad-like way possible.
He reminded folks that it’s okay not to be an expert on surrogacy or understand why someone might choose this path.
His take? Spend less time being judgmental and more time celebrating the arrival of a beautiful baby girl who’s brought so much joy into their lives, and then he hilariously signed off by saying, “That’s all for now because she just pooped and I need to change her diaper.”
Classic dad move, am I right? It’s such a good reminder that parenthood looks different for everyone. Instead of focusing on what we don’t know, we should celebrate the love and happiness that comes with growing a family however that happens.
Now, let’s talk about one of Hollywood’s most beloved couples John Legend and Chrissy Teigen. If you’ve followed their journey at all, you know they’ve always been open about both the highs and lows of parenthood.
So it probably didn’t come as a huge surprise when they shared that they’d welcomed not one but two new additions to their family in 2023: daughter Esti and son Wren. And yes, Wren was born via their much-loved surrogate.
Chrissy took to social media to explain how special this moment was for them. She wrote, “For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted four children.”
She went on to describe the birth of Wren, saying, “Just minutes before midnight on June 19th, I got to witness the most beautiful woman, my friend, our surrogate, give birth amidst a bit of chaos, but with strength and pure joy and love.” Honestly, if that doesn’t tug at your heartstrings, I don’t know what will.
This story is especially meaningful because it comes after an incredibly painful chapter in their lives.
Back in 2020, Chrissy and John suffered the devastating loss of their son, Jack, due to pregnancy complications. In her post announcing Wren’s arrival, Chrissy opened up about how that loss shaped their decision to use a surrogate. “After losing Jack, I didn’t think I’d be able to carry any more babies on my own,” she wrote.
It’s raw, it’s real, and it reminds us that parenthood isn’t always linear or easy. Sometimes, it takes courage to try something different and Chrissy and John did just that.
In 2021, they reached out to a surrogacy agency, even tossing around the idea of having two surrogates at once to grow their family.
At the same time, Chrissy started therapy and revisited IVF, which ended up working for Esti. How amazing is that? Both paths led them to exactly where they were meant to be a growing family filled with love, laughter, and tiny humans running around.
It’s stories like theirs that remind us there’s no “right” way to build a family. What matters most is finding the path that brings you peace and happiness.
Alright, let’s talk about someone who’s not only a style icon but also an absolute ray of sunshine Tan France.
In April 2023, the Queer Eye star and fashion guru announced some exciting news: he and his husband, Rob, were expecting their second child via surrogate.
If you’ve ever seen Tan light up when he talks about his family, you know this is a big deal and it’s just as heartwarming as you’d imagine.
During a podcast interview, Tan opened up about their surrogacy journey, saying, “Becoming dads has been our greatest joy, and we are so excited to grow our family with the help of our wonderful surrogate.”
It’s clear how much love and thought they’ve put into expanding their family.
If you’re familiar with Tan’s first baby announcement, you’ll remember how delightfully cheeky he was about it.
He posted a hilarious photo on Instagram and wrote, “So happy to finally share that WE’RE HAVING A BABY!! No, I’m not pregnant, despite this VERY realistic pic.” Classic Tan. He went on to explain how they were working with a surrogate to welcome their first child, Isaac, into the world. “Something we’ve wanted for so many years. Our hearts are so full right now. I cannot wait to hold this baby, and to show him so much love.”
And a month later? Cue baby Isaac, stealing hearts and making everyone on the internet collectively swoon. Now, with their second child on the way, it’s clear that Tan and Rob are building a family rooted in so much love, gratitude, and intentionality.
Plus, can we take a moment to appreciate how Tan always keeps things real while still being effortlessly charming? That’s a skill I wish I had.
It’s stories like theirs that remind us how beautiful surrogacy can be not just as a way to have kids but as a reminder of the courage it takes to raise a family.
Let’s take a moment to talk about Lucy Liu because if there’s anyone who embodies confidence and going after what you want, it’s her.
Back in 2015, the Charlie’s Angels star surprised the world when she revealed she’d welcomed her first child, Rockwell Lloyd Liu, via surrogate.
In an interview with People, she said, “It just seemed like the right option for me because I was working and I didn’t know when I was going to be able to stop. I decided that was probably the best solution for me, and it turned out to be great.”
Leave it to Lucy to cut through the noise and trust her instincts. Fast forward to more recent years, and she’s been even more open about her decision to become a single mom in her late forties through surrogacy.
In an interview with The Cut, she admitted, “I didn’t mull it over too much. I didn’t do a lot of research, I just pulled the trigger.” Can we all take a second to applaud that level of decisiveness? She went on to explain, “I can think myself out of something easily; if I think too much I won’t do it. It’s better for me to feel something and just go for it.”
And here’s where Lucy really stands out she didn’t spend hours poring over parenting books or stressing about every detail. Nope. Instead, she took the ultimate leap of faith.
Parenting isn’t exactly something you can fully prepare for anyway, no matter how many books you read or classes you take. Sometimes, it’s about trusting yourself and rolling with it and Lucy seems to have mastered that art.
On January 25, 2023, Paris took to Instagram to share the sweetest announcement: she and her husband, Carter Reum, had welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Phoenix.
The post was everything just a tiny hand gripping her thumb with the caption, “You are already loved beyond words.”
It wasn’t long before People confirmed that Paris and Carter had welcomed Phoenix via surrogate. And in true Paris fashion, she didn’t hold back when talking about how much this moment meant to her.
She told the magazine, “It’s always been my dream to be a mother, and I’m so happy that Carter and I found each other.” Doesn’t that just give you all the warm fuzzies? She went on to say, “We are so excited to start our family together, and our hearts are exploding with love for our baby boy.”
If that doesn’t scream “proud mom energy,” I don’t know what does.
But wait, there’s more! Not long after Phoenix arrived, Paris and Carter expanded their family again with the arrival of their daughter, London, also via surrogate.
It’s clear that Paris is living out her happily ever after, and honestly, it’s hard not to smile along with her.
What I love most about Paris’s story is how open she’s been about wanting to be a mom and making it happen in her own way.
If you’re short on time but still want the scoop, here’s a quick rundown:
You know, as I sit here typing this I can’t help but think about how much these stories resonate with me. Whether it’s surrogacy, adoption, IVF, or any other path to parenthood, there’s one thing that stands out: love is the common thread.
Every single one of these celebrities and so many of us regular folks just want to create a family filled with joy, connection, and little moments that make life worth living.
Surrogacy, in particular, feels like such a beautiful example of community and trust. It’s not just about science or logistics it’s about people coming together to make dreams come true.
If I could give one piece of advice, it would be this: don’t let fear or judgment stop you from pursuing what feels right for your family. If you’re considering surrogacy or any other path know that you’re not alone.
Talk to people who’ve been there, ask questions, and lean on your support system. And if anyone tries to throw shade your way? Just remember Charlie McDowell’s epic diaper-changing clapback. Life’s too short to waste energy on negativity.
At the end of the day, parenthood isn’t about perfection it’s about showing up, loving hard, and figuring things out as you go.
If you’re looking for more tips, heartfelt conversations, or just some good old-fashioned solidarity, head over to my blog at austinplease.com. Parenthood might be messy, but it’s also the most rewarding adventure we’ll ever take.
Disclosure: I may receive affiliate compensation for some of the links below at no cost to you if you decide to purchase a paid plan. You can read our affiliate disclosure in our privacy policy. This site is not intending to provide financial advice. This is for entertainment only.
