Hollywood is abuzz with celebration as Vanessa Kirby, the acclaimed actress who portrayed Sue Storm in Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps, welcomed her first child with partner Paul Rabil in early September 2025. The news, announced via a heartfelt Instagram post on September 7, 2025, comes on the heels of Kirby’s standout performance in the blockbuster superhero film, which has grossed over $400 million worldwide since its July release. The 37-year-old star, known for her roles in The Crown and Pieces of a Woman, shared her joy with fans, describing the birth as a “life-changing moment” that echoes the maternal themes of her latest role. As Kirby basks in the glow of new motherhood, her journey—both on and off the screen—has captivated audiences, sparking a wave of congratulations across social media and cementing her status as a beloved figure in entertainment.

A Star’s New Role: Motherhood

Vanessa Kirby and Paul Rabil, a retired professional lacrosse player and co-founder of the Premier Lacrosse League, welcomed their first child, a daughter named Lila Rose, in a private Los Angeles hospital on September 3, 2025. The couple, who have been together since 2022 and went public with their relationship in November 2023, shared a tender black-and-white photo of Kirby cradling Lila, with Rabil’s hand gently resting on the newborn’s head. “Our hearts are full,” Kirby captioned the post, adding, “Lila Rose, you’ve changed our world forever.” The announcement, which garnered over 2 million likes within hours, prompted an outpouring of support from fans and celebrities alike, including messages from Fantastic Four co-stars Pedro Pascal (“Welcome to the family, Lila!”) and Joseph Quinn (“Congrats, Vanessa—you’re already a superhero mom!”).

Kirby’s pregnancy, first revealed at the CCXP Mexico Film Festival in May 2025, became a talking point during the Fantastic Four press tour, especially given the serendipitous parallel with her character Sue Storm, who is pregnant in the film. The actress, whose performance as the Invisible Woman has earned praise for its emotional depth, spoke candidly about how the role prepared her for motherhood. “Playing Sue taught me about the fierceness and love of being a mother,” Kirby said at a Los Angeles premiere in July. “It’s incredible how life and art came together like this.” Her real-life pregnancy added authenticity to her portrayal, particularly in the film’s iconic zero-gravity birth scene, which she filmed while expecting.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps: A Career High

The Fantastic Four: First Steps, released on July 25, 2025, has been a career-defining moment for Kirby. Directed by Matt Shakman, the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s 37th film and second Fantastic Four reboot introduces Marvel’s First Family—Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach)—in a retro-futuristic 1960s setting. The film, which follows the team’s battle against the planet-devouring Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his herald Shalla-Bal (Julia Garner), has earned $218 million domestically and $412 million globally, making it the fourth-biggest domestic opening of 2025. Kirby’s portrayal of Sue, a scientist and expectant mother who wields force fields and invisibility, has been hailed as the film’s emotional anchor, with critics praising her ability to balance strength and vulnerability.

The movie’s narrative, centered on Sue’s pregnancy and the birth of her son Franklin Richards, resonated deeply with Kirby, who was several months pregnant during filming from July to November 2024. In interviews, she described the experience as transformative, noting how the zero-gravity birth scene, shot over two weeks in London, mirrored her own journey. “It was so primal, so human, to play a superhero giving birth in space,” she told a talk show host in July. “And doing it while pregnant myself—it felt like fate.” The authenticity of the scene, enhanced by real infants like lead baby Ada Scott, added a layer of realism that fans and critics adored, with one X post calling it “the most moving moment in any Marvel movie.”

Kirby’s performance has sparked Oscar buzz, particularly for her ability to convey “a mother’s rage and love” as Sue risks everything to protect Franklin from Galactus. Her chemistry with Pascal, Quinn, and Moss-Bachrach, combined with a mid-credits scene introducing Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, has fueled excitement for her return in Avengers: Doomsday (2026). Kirby’s pregnancy during the Avengers shoot, where she filmed action sequences, further showcased her dedication, with the Russo Brothers and Marvel president Kevin Feige ensuring accommodations like shorter shooting days and on-set support.

A Personal and Professional Triumph

Kirby’s journey to motherhood mirrors her rise as one of Hollywood’s most versatile actresses. Born in London in 1987 or 1988, she rose to fame as Princess Margaret in The Crown, earning a BAFTA, and garnered an Oscar nomination for her raw performance in Pieces of a Woman (2020), which also featured a birth scene. Her roles in action films like Mission: Impossible – Fallout and Hobbs & Shaw, alongside her stage work in A Streetcar Named Desire, showcase her range. The Fantastic Four: First Steps has solidified her as a leading lady in blockbuster cinema, with her portrayal of Sue earning praise for avoiding the “stereotypical sweet mother” trope by incorporating elements of the comic’s darker “Malice” persona.

Her relationship with Rabil, a former lacrosse star turned entrepreneur, has been a source of stability. The couple, who met through mutual friends in 2022, kept their romance private until sharing vacation photos from the West Indies in 2023. Their announcement at CCXP Mexico, where Kirby debuted her baby bump in a teal Schiaparelli gown, sparked speculation that her pregnancy was a promotional stunt for Fantastic Four—a notion she laughed off on Late Night with Seth Meyers. “It’s just crazy timing,” she said, noting that her real bump was “way lighter” than the heavy prosthetic she wore for the film, which gave her backaches due to added rice packets for realism.

Fan and Industry Reactions

The birth announcement has ignited a wave of positivity on social media, with X users posting messages like “Vanessa Kirby as a mom AND Sue Storm? Iconic!” and “Lila Rose is already the coolest kid in Hollywood.” Fans have drawn parallels between Kirby’s life and her Fantastic Four role, with one writing, “It’s like Sue Storm came to life—congrats, Vanessa!” The timing, coinciding with the film’s box office success, has amplified the celebration, with Marvel Studios sharing a congratulatory post on Instagram: “From the Baxter Building to the nursery, Vanessa, you’re our hero!”

The industry has also taken note. Kirby’s ability to film Fantastic Four and Avengers: Doomsday while pregnant, including action scenes, has earned admiration. Director Matt Shakman praised her professionalism, noting, “Vanessa brought such truth to Sue’s journey—it’s no surprise she’s an incredible mom now.” Her upcoming role in Netflix’s The Night Always Comes, filmed in spring 2024, further cements her busy schedule, with early reviews calling her performance “electric.” As she prepares to reprise Sue Storm in Avengers: Secret Wars (2027), Kirby’s star power continues to rise.

Cultural Resonance and Future Prospects

Kirby’s milestone resonates in a cultural moment where motherhood is being reframed as a source of strength in Hollywood. Her comments about learning from Sue Storm’s “fierce femininity” echo sentiments from stars like Renee Elise Goldsberry and Venus Williams, who have championed balancing career and family. The Fantastic Four’s focus on a pregnant superhero has been praised for its pro-family themes, with Kirby’s real-life journey adding authenticity. On X, fans have called her “a role model,” with one post stating, “Vanessa shows you can be a badass actress and a mom—love that for her.”

Looking ahead, Kirby’s career shows no signs of slowing. Her Avengers commitments and potential Oscar campaign for Fantastic Four position her as a frontrunner in 2026 awards season. Meanwhile, she and Rabil are reportedly settling into family life in Los Angeles, with Kirby planning a brief hiatus to focus on Lila before returning to set. The couple’s low-key approach, avoiding the spotlight despite their high-profile careers, has endeared them to fans, who appreciate their authenticity.

A New Beginning

Vanessa Kirby’s journey into motherhood, announced amidst the triumph of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, is a testament to her strength and grace. From embodying Sue Storm’s maternal fierceness to welcoming her daughter Lila Rose, Kirby is living a story of art and life intertwining. As fans celebrate her personal and professional milestones, one thing is clear: whether on screen or in the nursery, Vanessa Kirby is a force to be reckoned with. Congratulations to the new mom—this is just the beginning of her next great adventure.