Rachel Bilson has offered a rare glimpse into the co-parenting arrangement she maintains with her former fiancé, actor Hayden Christensen, best known for his role as Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequels. The pair, who were romantically involved on and off from 2007 to 2017, share an eleven-year-old daughter named Briar Rose.
Maintaining Privacy and Harmony
Both Bilson and Christensen have consistently prioritised their daughter's privacy, notably refraining from posting her face on social media platforms. However, during a recent appearance on the podcast Let's Be Honest with Kristin Cavallari, Bilson, now 44, opened up about how they navigate parenting after their split.
When Cavallari inquired about their co-parenting dynamic, Bilson responded enthusiastically, "Great! Ours is a unique version of it. We get along really well." She elaborated that they frequently engage in activities together as a family, including spending holidays jointly to ensure a cohesive environment for Briar.
A Contrast in Approaches
Bilson highlighted a key difference from Cavallari's own situation; Cavallari co-parents her three children with ex-husband Jay Cutler by dividing holidays, such as having the children alternate between parents on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. In contrast, Bilson noted that she and Christensen "weren't ever married" and have consequently "figured out our own way, our own path."
She emphasised the importance of maintaining a peaceful atmosphere, stating, "We have been able to keep it very copacetic and nice for her," referencing her daughter's well-being. Bilson, who rose to fame playing Summer Roberts on the teen drama The O.C., also mentioned that she remains "really close" to Christensen's family, having known him for nearly two decades.
Advice and Reflections
When asked for co-parenting advice, Bilson stressed the fundamentals of communication and compromise. "I don't really have an answer other than communicating, and sometimes you have to compromise a lot," she shared. This sentiment echoes previous comments she made on Michael Rosenbaum's podcast Inside of You, where she remarked that their co-parenting works "really well" and that their daughter "knows nothing but love."
Bilson added that navigating schedules is manageable, as "you figure it out," but the core principle is ensuring their daughter feels loved by both parents. "She is so loved by both of us and that's all you really need to make sure what happens," she affirmed.
Background of the Relationship
The romance between Bilson and Christensen began in 2007 while filming the action movie Jumper, noted for their on-screen chemistry. Their relationship endured for a decade before ending in 2017. Reports at the time suggested the split was linked to text messages between Christensen and actress Emma Roberts, with whom he was filming Little Italy.
Following their breakup, Bilson briefly dated comedian Bill Hader in 2019, a relationship she later described as ending in a "harder than childbirth" breakup. In a candid moment on her podcast Broad Ideas, she humorously reflected on what she missed most about Hader.
Overall, Bilson's insights reveal a co-parenting model built on mutual respect, flexibility, and a shared commitment to their daughter's happiness, demonstrating that even after romantic relationships end, family bonds can thrive through cooperation and understanding.
