Singer-actress Halle Bailey, who recently became a mother with rapper DDG, surprised her fans by sharing a glimpse into her private pregnancy journey. The 23-year-old artist, who had successfully kept her pregnancy out of the media, uploaded a short clip on Instagram showcasing her underwater maternity photos. In the video, Bailey poses gracefully underwater, revealing her baby bump in two different maternity outfits.
In the Instagram post, Bailey expresses nostalgia for her pregnancy belly, stating, “missing my belly already but I obviously had to do underwater pics .” This marks the first public reveal of Bailey’s journey to motherhood, aside from the initial baby announcement.
Halle Bailey and DDG, whose real name is Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr., introduced their son, Halo, to the world through an Instagram post on January 6. The photo features the newborn’s hand adorned with a bracelet engraved with his name. Bailey captioned the image with heartfelt words: “Even though we’re a few days into the new year, the greatest thing that 2023 could have done for me was bring me my son.. welcome to the world my halo.”
Bailey and DDG went public with their relationship in March 2022 when the rapper shared a romantic tribute for Bailey’s 22nd birthday on Instagram. Fans started speculating about the couple expecting a child around a year into their relationship, based on Bailey’s online presence. However, Bailey did not confirm the speculation until she shared the news of her son’s arrival.
In an Instagram Story last month, Bailey addressed the challenges of being under public scrutiny during her pregnancy, thanking her “real supporters” for their unconditional love. She acknowledged the difficulty of being scrutinized under a microscope and expressed appreciation for those who supported her genuinely.
The trend of celebrities taking control of their pregnancy announcements has been growing. Rihanna, for example, hinted at her pregnancy ahead of a Super Bowl halftime show in 2023, showcasing her baby bump during the performance. This shift in how celebrities choose to share such personal news reflects a broader trend of stars using their own platforms, whether on stage or social media, to share their stories authentically and take control of their messaging.
Entertainment expert Dan Wakeford emphasized the impact of the decentralization of media over the last decade, allowing celebrities direct access to their fans. This approach enables stars to control their narrative without relying solely on traditional media outlets to share their news.
As Halle Bailey shares intimate moments from her pregnancy journey, it resonates with this trend of celebrities embracing their autonomy in sharing personal milestones, offering fans a more direct and authentic connection to their favorite stars.