Charlie McDowell, the husband of actress Lily Collins, has responded to social media critics following the couple’s announcement of the birth of their first child via surrogacy. The 41-year-old director addressed the backlash on Instagram, urging people to be more understanding about surrogacy and the personal choices couples make to start a family.
The news of their baby’s arrival was shared in a heartfelt post on the couple’s joint Instagram account, featuring a photo of their newborn daughter, Tove Jane McDowell, swaddled in a white blanket embroidered with her name. Collins, best known for her role in Emily in Paris, expressed her deep gratitude for the surrogate and everyone who supported them along the way. She wrote, “Welcome to the centre 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 the couple’s post was filled with joy and love, some social media users criticised their choice to use a surrogate. Surrogacy, where a woman carries a baby for another couple, has long been a subject of controversy, with some people raising questions about the reasons behind a surrogate’s involvement in the process. McDowell, however, took to Instagram to defend their decision, stressing that it was okay to not fully understand surrogacy, but that kindness and respect should always come first.
In his post, McDowell wrote, “Thank you for all the kind messages and love. We are overjoyed and very grateful. In regards to the unkind messages about surrogacy and our path to having a baby — it’s ok to not be an expert on surrogacy. It’s OK to not know why someone might need a surrogate to have a child. It’s ok to not know the motivations of a surrogate regardless of what you assume. And it’s ok to spend less time spewing hateful words into the world, especially in regards to a beautiful baby girl who has brought a lot of love into people’s lives.”
He continued, lightening the tone with a humorous comment, adding, “That’s all for now because she just pooped and I need to change her diaper.”
The couple’s announcement was met with an outpouring of congratulations from their friends and colleagues. Among the well-wishers was The Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrev, who shared a white heart emoji and two crying faces, while actress Amanda Seyfried from Mamma Mia! wrote, “This is perfect. So, so happy for you four.” Singer Jessie Ware also joined in the celebrations, sending her love to the new parents.
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Lily Collins, the daughter of musician Phil Collins, gained international fame for her role as Emily in Emily in Paris, a Netflix series that has become a global hit. However, her career spans much further back, with notable roles in films such as Mirror Mirror (2012), Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019), and Priest (2011).
Her husband, Charlie McDowell, who is the son of actors Malcolm McDowell and Mary Steenburgen, also comes from a talented family. He has built a name for himself as a director, known for films such as the romantic thriller The One I Love (2014), the Netflix drama The Discovery (2017), and Windfall (2022). The couple, who married in 2021, have enjoyed a relatively private relationship, often sharing glimpses of their personal lives on social media.
Despite the negative attention they faced after their baby’s arrival, the couple’s supporters, including their celebrity friends, have rallied behind them, showering the new parents with love and praise. McDowell’s Instagram response has highlighted the need for understanding, particularly when it comes to sensitive topics like surrogacy, and serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion in online discussions.
The couple’s journey to parenthood has not been without its challenges, but with their daughter now in their arms, McDowell and Collins are focusing on their new chapter as a family.
