Lily Collins and her husband, Charlie McDowell, created quite the buzz when they announced the birth of their first child, Tove Jane McDowell, via surrogate. The couple shared their joy with 28.9 million followers on Instagram, posting an adorable photo of their baby girl comfortably resting inside her carrier. The announcement came on January 31, marking both excitement and some unexpected backlash from the online community.
Fans were greeted with heartfelt messages from the couple, who expressed immense gratitude not only for their new bundle of joy but also for their surrogate and everyone who supported their family-building process. "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," wrote Collins on Instagram. Alongside the message, she shared a precious photo of Tove dressed adorably, complete with floral details on her knit hat.
Though many comments responded favorably to the couple's joyous news, some remarks veered off course. Critics raised questions about the couple's choice to use surrogacy, provoking McDowell to confront the negativity openly. "Thank you for all the kind messages and love. We are overjoyed and very grateful," he began. Addressing the unkind comments, he noted, "It’s ok to not know why someone might need a surrogate to have a child. ... It’s ok to spend less time spewing hateful words ... especially concerning a beautiful baby girl who has brought a lot of love..." McDowell concluded his statement humorously, indicating the real-life responsibilities of parenthood, as he said, "that’s all for now because she just pooped and I need to change her diaper."
The birth announcement of Tove Jane McDowell, who appears to share her birthday with her famous grandfather Phil Collins, could have been confined solely to joy. Yet, it intertwined with discussions about surrogacy, sparking conversations on the ethics and rights surrounding such decisions. Surrogacy is often accompanied by judgment, misunderstanding, or outright criticism, but MCDowell’s forthright remarks underscored the surge of unkind comments about their choices. He encouraged kindness, saying everyone should be respectful about the various paths to parenthood.
Interestingly, Tove is the second grandchild for Phil Collins, who celebrated his 74th birthday just one day prior to the couple’s announcement. Collins shared loving words about her father on social media, capturing family memories during the joyful milestone for her own family. Known for her role on Emily in Paris and as the daughter of the famed drummer, Collins has often expressed her desires to start her own family. Her relationship with McDowell blossomed after they first met on the set of Gilded Rage. The couple officially tied the knot two years ago, securing their bond with each step taken toward this family milestone.
Despite needing to clear the air about surrogacy, the couple received overwhelming support with nearly 20,000 comments on their post. Fellow actors and friends rallied around them, showering them with blessings and excitement for their new chapter. Ashley Park, Collins's Emily in Paris co-star, expressed her warmth with heartfelt emojis, and countless others chimed in to share joy and excitement over the life-altering event.
While Collins shielded her pregnancy from earlier public scrutiny, she did not shy away from expressing her heartfelt yearning. Their path to parenthood is filled with unique dynamics, common to modern-day families—the approach of surrogacy being one prominent example. It’s also reflective of changing sentiments toward conventional narratives about starting families, as LGBTQ+ couples and heteronormative families alike have increasingly utilized surrogacy as legitimate means of growing their families.
Reflecting on this beautiful yet complex experience, it becomes clear how personal parenting choices echo broader dialogues on societal acceptance and how structures of family themselves have evolved. Both Collins and McDowell have taken it all with grace, demonstrating resilience amid critique by encouraging positivity. The clear love they expressed for Tove disproves any negativity directed at their beginnings as parents, framing this moment as celebratory rather than contentious.
An idyllic start, Collins and McDowell’s new life together with Tove encapsulates their enduring love, resilience, and compassion as they navigate parenthood's ups and downs. Their story stands not just as news of arrival but as part of the broader tale of how families today are woven together with love, creativity, and sometimes, alternative paths.