’While Jessica Chastain’s reasons for surrogacy clearly aren’t physical, her personal experience suggests that her mental health may have influenced her decision about family planning. In my opinion that is equally valid,’ says Sophie Dianne as she looks at the public reactions to film stars having babies.
It’s clear that the lines have become blurred, once again we have hit a media brick wall, were individuals feel entitled to voice their opinions about celebrities. We have seemingly moved on from discussing outfit choices or weight and now its apparently open season for family planning.
Last month, performer and business woman Selena Gomez, made a heart breaking announcement about her infertility. Having been diagnosed with Lupus in 2015, the illness has caused complications, which mean getting pregnant could be life threatening. Looking to the future, she has decided that she would either adopt or have a biological child through surrogacy.
The wait - my journey with infertility
Reality TV star Lucy Watson, has also been very public about her fertility issues, but having gone through IVF, she gave birth to her son Willoughby in March. Jennifer Aniston is another celebrity whose had her own battles conceiving. In 2022, she told the BBC that magazines changed the narrative, writing cruel stories. After going through IVF treatments, Aniston discovered she couldn’t have children due to an illness. All of these women have received messages of support from fans but actress Jessica Chastain hasn’t received the same understanding.
Instagram is a social media app I frequent, browsing through the news feed a suggested post appeared, detailing the speculated birth of Jessica Chastain’s 3rd child.
This season of advent is especially hard for those experiencing infertility - but there is hope
Browsing through the news feed on Instagram, a suggested post appeared, detailing the speculated birth of Jessica Chastain’s third child. She is an actress known for pushing the boundaries and won an Oscar for her portrayal of the televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker in 2021. Unlike some celebrities, Chastain is dedicated to her privacy and therefore keeps a low profile, preferring to keep her family out of the lime light and off her social media platforms. In June, magazine InTouch reported seeing Chastain and husband Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo walking around New York with a baby stroller. As a couple, they never formally announced the birth of their eldest children, so the lack of publicity surrounding their third baby is hardly surprising. While I respect their decision, others haven’t been so gracious and called her behaviour suspicious.
I usually avoid commenting on Instagram posts but after my own issues with infertility, I felt compelled to respond
I usually avoid commenting on Instagram posts but after my own issues with infertility, I felt compelled to respond; it was less about a celebrity and more about my personal journey. For context, this is what I wrote: “I love that people are criticising her reasons for surrogacy and not considering whether this might not of been her first choice. Maybe she’s unable to have children? Did you think about that? Rather than making nasty assumptions.” Individuals accused the actress of choosing surrogacy for the sake of vanity, buying her children or taking advantage of the poor.
Chastain was born to teenage parents and as she grew up, the prospect of getting pregnant terrified her.
Three pieces of Christian advice I found helpful while struggling with infertility
By the time Chastain married in 2017, her career was firmly established and she now wanted children, but this time job insecurity concerned her. She was worried that her career prospects would be effected if she fell pregnant. A sentiment that was shared by fellow actress, Justine Lupe, who saw motherhood as a death sentence in their industry. Chastain would prove this when she got angry with production companies, for not providing adequate childcare facilities on sets.
While Chastain’s reasons for surrogacy clearly aren’t physical, her personal experience suggests that her mental health may have influenced her decision about family planning. In my opinion that is equally valid.
According to Harpers Bazaar, we get obsessed with celebrities because they provide a sense of catharsis. The media creates an illusion that boundaries are nonexistent and stars can provide advice at times of crisis. But when individuals don’t feel heard, they project their insecurities onto them and become abusive. As Christians our focus should be on God, for he is our hope and comfort in times of fertility distress.
No comments yet