Celebrities know how to get the internet talking, especially when they share big personal news, like a wedding, or break records on the charts or at awards shows. But there never seems to be quite as much collective joy across the internet as when a celebrity mom-to-be reveals that she’s expecting. The biggest surprise announcements happen when their fans least expect it and leave them celebrating and sharing the news for weeks. Some celeb mamas are well-known for stopping the world with their baby news, ahem, Beyoncé, and we love to see it! Here’s a recap of some of the biggest celebrity pregnancy announcements of all time and the celebs who got us talking with their motherhood glows.
Cardi B
On April 7, 2018, rapper Cardi B used her historic guest performance on ‘SNL’ to reveal that she was pregnant with her first child, daughter Kulture, whose dad is her husband, Offset. At first, wearing a feathered outfit camouflaging her growing belly during her performance of her singles “Bodak Yellow” and “Bartier Cardi,” Cardi kept fans in the dark. Then later, she stepped onstage in a body-hugging look that nearly broke Twitter in real-time. Now, Kulture is getting a sibling! The rap power couple announced they are expecting their second child together during a performance at the 2021 BET Awards, then confirmed the happy news on Instagram.
Beyoncé
In August 2011, a very pregnant Beyoncé stole the show when she opened her blazer at the end of a now-iconic performance of her hit single “Love On Top” at the MTV Video Music Awards and revealed her growing baby bump. At the time, Queen Bey was expecting her and her husband Jay-Z’s first child, Blue Ivy Carter. Then, when Beyoncé just casually popped on our timelines to reveal she and hubby were expecting twins, it was the shock of a lifetime for her loyal fanbase, the Beyhive. “We have been blessed two times over.” she wrote on Instagram, warming hearts across the globe. It became the most-liked Instagram post of 2017. She later welcomed twins, daughter Rumi and son Sir.
Aja Naomi King
The How to Get Away With Murder actor is expecting her first child. She opened up about this journey on Instagram, revealing she’s suffered two miscarriages. “I’ve been so deeply moved by the women who have openly shared their miscarriages,” she wrote on Instagram. “It brought me solace in a time that was incredibly painful to know I wasn’t alone. To understand that this experience is common, horrible but still common.” She continued, “I suffered two miscarriages, and even now trying to capture what it felt like in words is simply absurd to me because I will never have language enough for it.”
Meghan Markle
It’s baby number two for this royal couple! On Valentine’s Day, the Sussexes confirmed that their son, Archie, would soon become a big brother. It was an especially emotional moment because Markle revealed that she’d experienced a miscarriage over the summer. Harry, of course, is also a second sibling, and the couple’s announcement echoed the way Buckingham Palace announced that Princess Diana was pregnant with him, once upon a time. They have welcomed their second child, a baby girl, naming her Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.
Nicki Minaj
In July 2020, the Megatron rapper let the world know she was going to be a mom by posting this fabulous and fun maternity photo on Instagram with the caption “#preggers”. She was pregnant with her son, whom she lovingly calls “Papa Bear”. When she gave birth in 2021, she thanked her Barbz for their love & support throughout this journey. “Becoming a mom is by far the most fulfilling job I’ve ever taken on. Sending love to all the superhero mothers out there. Big hugs to all the women who have been pregnant during this challenging time,” she ended in an Instagram post.
Serena Williams
Serena Williams accidentally told the world she was pregnant via Snapchat and mass hysteria erupted. In the caption, the 35-year-old world-renowned athlete also revealed that she was about 20 weeks along in her pregnancy. Later, she revealed she had not intended to share that post with the world, but at that point, everyone was sharing in her and husband Alexis Ohanian’s baby joy. Williams gave birth to Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr on September, 1st 2017.
Kelly Rowland
One-third of the iconic girl group Destiny’s Child, Kelly Rowland shared via the cover of Women’s Health that she is expecting her second child. Rowland, who is married to manager Tim Weatherspoon, is already mother to her six-year-old son, Titan. Beyoncé’s mother Tina Knowles-Lawson was one of the first to comment on the post, saying she was excited to welcome another ‘grandchild’. Rowlan welcomed her second son Noah Jon on January 21st, 2021.
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Boitumelo Masihleho is a South African digital content creator. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Rhodes University in Journalism and Media Studies and Politics and International Studies. She’s an experienced multimedia journalist who is committed to writing balanced, informative and interesting stories on a number of topics. Boitumelo has her own YouTube channel where she shares her love for affordable beauty and lifestyle content.
