Halle Bailey Shares Reasons For Keeping Pregnancy Secret
Halle Bailey recently opened up about her decision to keep her pregnancy private. At the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards, where she was honored, the 23-year-old reflected on her journey and the arrival of her son, Halo, who quietly joined the world last year.
In her heartfelt acceptance speech, she acknowledged the challenges of being in the spotlight as a Black woman in entertainment. She spoke candidly about the intense scrutiny and pressure that often accompany fame, drawing from her own experiences, including the backlash she faced after being cast as Ariel in The Little Mermaid.
“We are Black women in entertainment, and although we signed up for the challenges of the spotlight, in this current climate, that spotlight burns brighter, hotter, and uninterrupted, whereas the scrutiny of its magnification leaves no concealment. “I’ve learned from that spotlight over the past eight years. I’ve also, if I’m being honest, been burned by it, too, as we all have,” she shared.
While the role was transformative, Haley emphasized that nothing compares to the joy of motherhood. Tearfully, she explained her choice to keep her pregnancy private, citing a desire to shield her family from unwanted attention.
“There was no way in hell I was going to share the biggest joy of my world with anyone. Halo was my gift. He is the greatest blessing, and I had no obligation to expose him, me, or my family to that,” she stated.
Haley emphasized the importance of autonomy over one’s body and decisions, especially in a world where women’s rights are still under threat. She also expressed gratitude for the support she received from fellow strong women, including her sister Chloe Bailey.
Reflecting on other celebrities who chose privacy during pregnancy, the actress asserted the right of every woman to make decisions about their bodies and what they share with the world.
“With the state of the world and the place it is in with men trying to force their will on our bodies, no one on social media, and for damn sure, no one on the planet, was going to tell me what to do with my body or what to share with the world,” she stated.
As she wiped away tears, Haley concluded her speech with words of thanks to the influential women in her life, including her supportive sisters.
“Thank you to some of the strong women in my life, like my beautiful sisters standing here on the stage with me for setting examples in resilience, confidence, and independence,” she stated.
The award was presented to Bailey by her sister Chloe, who affectionately described her as “the best mom ever.”
