From Apple to Zahara: Celebrity babies a trend of their own
By Rebecca Verner, Blogger
July 20, 2007 | 1:05 p.m.
Apparently love really was in the air this past spring. Hollywood is buzzing with pregnant celebrities.
I’ve been doing my research and as much as I hate to admit it, I was wrong: Nicole Richie is having a baby. I triple-checked my sources, and everyone seems to agree that our favorite smart-mouthed “Simple Life” star is definitely pregnant. This was a shock to me. One DUI, admitting heroin addiction, stealing Hilary Duff’s boyfriend, another DUI (the wrong way on the highway -- really, Nicole?), feuding with Paris Hilton, reconciling with Paris Hilton and partying with Britney Spears. I’m sorry, but I just did not see “announcing pregnancy” as the next step.
I can’t help but notice that Nicole Richie’s pregnancy has been announced right before her trial is set to start. Nicole faces charges and a possible minimum 5-day jail sentence for her most recent DUI arrest. No one wants to put a pregnant lady in jail. I’m not saying she got pregnant to avoid jail time, but nothing averts attention from trouble like a cute new baby. Or a pregnant celebrity.
Congratulations to Ms. Richie and boyfriend Joel Madden from pop punk band Good Charlotte. Maybe their ability to be responsible for someone else will be greater than their ability to be responsible for themselves. Let’s hope we’ll all be pleasantly surprised when their baby arrives in 6 months.
A celebrity pregnancy I am very happy to hear of is Christina Aguilera and husband Jordan Bratman. The two appear to be expecting a baby. The couple has not officially confirmed the rumors, but photos were recently taken of the two visiting a fertility clinic in New York City. After the whole “Dirrty,” “XTina” phase a few years ago, Christina seems to have really settled down and matured into herself. With hope, she is already pregnant, but if she’s not yet now, we know she is hoping. Nothing brings more gossip than “no comment.”
Selma Hayek has also announced her pregnancy. Selma's fiancé businessman Francois-Henri Pinault is the father. The 8-months-pregnant star has been showing off her new curvy figure all around Los Angeles. Her enhanced anatomy has been creating quite the stir as she attempts (and, in my opinion, succeeds) to make being pregnant as attractive as possible. Hayek was recently seen on a shopping trip wearing a simple black t-shirt that read “Stylish. Sexy. Pregnant.” Cute.
Another “sunshine,” Academy Award-nominated actress Toni Collette has officially announced her pregnancy. She and her musician husband Dave Galafassi are expecting a baby. The actress is best known for her roles in “The Sixth Sense” and “Little Miss Sunshine.” As an actress I see more in movies than in magazines, I’m sure Collette will be a responsible parent.
If we’re going to talk about pregnant stars, we must also discuss what happens once the little bundles arrive. Celebrity babies are like rock stars. Gwen Stefani even created a children’s clothing line to make sure her son, Kingston, would be the best-looking kid around. Upscale boutiques catering to kid’s couture are opening all over Los Angeles. Instead of taking a trip to Target, celebrity babies receive the cutest clothing from these Gucci Gerbers that shell out plenty of money to get their brands seen.
Hollywood is going to get rocked by these soon-to-be mommies as they travel around the city preparing for their new arrivals. Good luck to the rest of the stars expecting babies this summer or fall. Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Naomi Watts, Charlotte Church and Isla Fisher have all announced pregnancies. I’m excited to see how these ladies look as they “glow” their ways through the next few months, and I’m even more excited to see what their kids are like. Please, please, don’t let Paris Hilton be next.