Lily Collins’ husband Charlie McDowell has hit back at “unkind” social media critics after the couple had their first child, via a surrogate.
The 35-year-old Emily in Paris star, who is the daughter of musician Phil Collins, announced the news in a joint Instagram post with the director, which included a photo of their baby in a cot with a white blanket embroidered with the name Tove.
Collins wrote: “Welcome to the centre 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.”
But the couple were criticised on social media for using a surrogate - when a woman carries a baby for someone else.
In response to some replies criticising their use of surrogacy, McDowell added: “Thank you for all the kind messages and love. We are overjoyed and very grateful.
“In regards to 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. It’s ok to not know the motivations of a surrogate regardless of what you assume.
“And it’s ok to spend less time spewing hateful words into the world, especially in regards to a beautiful baby girl who has brought a lot of love into people’s lives.
“That’s all for now because she just pooped and I need to change her diaper.”
The pair were congratulated by famous faces including The Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrev, who posted a white heart and two crying emojis, Mamma Mia! actress Amanda Seyfried and singer Jessie Ware.
Seyfried wrote: “This is perfect. So, so happy for you four.”
Before starring as the titular character in four seasons of Emily In Paris, Collins began her career on BBC sitcom Growing Pains.
She also featured in 2011 horror film Priest, 2019 Ted Bundy biopic Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, and 2012 fantasy comedy Mirror Mirror.
Her 41-year-old husband is the son of A Clockwork Orange star Malcolm McDowell and American actress Mary Steenburgen, who featured in Back to the Future Part III, while his stepfather is Cheers actor Ted Danson.
McDowell directed the romantic thriller The One I Love (2014), and Netflix drama films The Discovery (2017) and Windfall (2022).
