Actress Lily Collins and filmmaker Charlie McDowell have recently announced the arrival of their first child, Tove Jane McDowell, born via surrogacy, as they shared their joy with fans on social media. The couple made the heartfelt announcement on February 1, 2025, expressing their excitement and gratitude.
Collins, best known for her role as Emily Cooper in the Netflix series Emily in Paris, and McDowell, son of actors Mary Steenburgen and Malcolm McDowell, shared the news through Instagram, where they welcomed their daughter with open arms. "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," they wrote, accompanied by a touching photo of Tove peacefully sleeping under her name-embroidered blanket.
While the announcement delighted many fans and friends, including notable congratulatory messages from fellow celebrities, it also sparked backlash on social media. Critics questioned the ethics of surrogacy, with some comments implying the couple was "renting women's bodies" or choosing surrogacy over adoption. One harsh critic stated, "Surrogacy becoming a trend between celebrities is one of the finest expressions of capitalism," which highlighted the contentious nature of the topic.
Responding to the negative comments, McDowell offered his perspective on Instagram. "Thank you for 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," he pointed out, emphasizing the need for compassion over judgement. Further adding to his comment, he wittily declared, "And it's OK to spend less time spewing hateful words... especially in regards to a beautiful baby girl who has brought a lot of love to people's lives." He humorously concluded the statement with, "That's all for now because she just pooped and I need to change her diaper."
The couple's relationship has been relatively private since they began dating in 2019, after meeting on the set of McDowell's film Gilded Rage. They tied the knot on September 4, 2021, at Dunton Hot Springs resort, celebrating their love with 40 close friends and family members, including Collins' father, music icon Phil Collins, and McDowell's mother.
Collins, addressing her father’s birthday just the day before the birth announcement, shared her love and appreciation for him on Instagram. This post, showcasing their father-daughter bond, provided poignant timing leading up to the couple’s joyful news.
Despite the couple's choice to use surrogacy, which has been embraced by many celebrities, the decision invariably becomes the subject of public scrutiny, as seen with other public figures like Kim Kardashian and Priyanka Chopra. They have also faced criticism for their choices surrounding parenthood. Some experts argue, like the critics, about the socioeconomic concerns linked to surrogacy, and advocates call for more awareness of adoption as another viable route to parenthood.
Having navigated their own challenges toward parenthood, Collins previously shared her fears about fertility struggles. She expressed concerns over the impact her eating disorders may have had on her chances of conceiving children, which might explain their choice of surrogacy. The couple did not elaborate on specific reasons for their decision to pursue this path.
Looking forward, the new parents are focused on enjoying the arrival of their baby girl. Both Collins and McDowell have hinted at their hopes for future children, though their primary focus right now is their growing family. Charlie McDowell had mentioned during interviews about his desire to expand their family, albeit without the immediate need to disclose those plans.
For fans of Emily in Paris, Collins is also expected to continue her role, with the show renewed for its fifth season, affirming her commitment to both her career and her new family life.
While the surrogacy debate remains alive and controversial, the joy of new parenthood for Collins and McDowell is undoubtedly fundamental to their personal story. Therefore, rather than allowing public discourse to overshadow their happiness, perhaps the focus should shift to celebrating the joy of their new arrival, as they embrace this new chapter of life as parents.