Hollywood actor Josh Duhamel has candidly discussed his anticipation of becoming a father to a baby girl, marking a significant new chapter in his family life. The Transformers star, aged 53, and his wife, former beauty queen Audra Mari, 32, publicly announced earlier this month that they are expecting their second child together, a daughter.
A Growing Family
Duhamel and Mari, who tied the knot in 2022, are already parents to their two-year-old son, Shepherd. Additionally, Duhamel is father to a 12-year-old son, Axl, from his previous marriage to singer Fergie, aged 50. This new pregnancy will make Duhamel a dad for the third time, blending his experiences across different stages of parenthood.
Excitement for a Daughter
In a recent interview with Extra's Derek Hough, Duhamel expressed overwhelming joy about the prospect of having a daughter. "I'm just so – I cannot wait to meet her!" he exclaimed. "And I think there's something about dads and their little girls. It's different, you know?" This sentiment highlights the unique bond he looks forward to fostering.
Audra Mari echoed this excitement on social media several weeks ago, sharing black-and-white maternity shoot photos with a heartfelt caption: "Adding a little girl to our story.. We can’t wait to meet you." The post received warm congratulations, including a comment from Fergie, whose real name is Stacy Ferguson, who wrote: "Welcome the cuteness!" This supportive interaction underscores the amicable relationship between Duhamel's current and former partners.
Relationship Milestones
Duhamel and Mari announced their engagement in January 2022 via social media after dating for over two years. They each shared a romantic photo from a beach, where Duhamel held up a piece of paper asking, "Audra Diane Mari, will you marry me?" Duhamel captioned the image, "It's on! She found a message in a bottle that washed ashore and said yes!" while Mari responded, "My heart is so happy.. I love you @joshduhamel."
Notably, Fergie congratulated the engagement with a six-heart emoji, demonstrating continued goodwill despite their divorce in November 2019 after eight years of marriage. Duhamel and Fergie were married from 2009 until their separation in 2017, and they share custody of their son Axl.
Reflections on Past and Present
In a recent appearance on The Skinny Confidential podcast, Duhamel opened up about his divorce from Fergie, stating, "We’re just very different. She and I just have different views of the world, and that’s OK." He fondly reflected on their relationship, adding, "We have a beautiful son." Duhamel also praised both Fergie and Mari, noting, "They are both very different in a lot of ways but both really, really great women." He described Fergie as "very wholesome, believe it or not, especially since she stepped away from it all," referring to her career as the Black Eyed Peas frontwoman.
Overcoming Age Gap Concerns
Duhamel also shared insights into his initial reservations about dating Mari due to their 21-year age difference. He recalled inviting her to a barbecue at his house, not with romantic intentions, but because he knew she was from North Dakota and had succeeded in the Miss USA pageant. "I wasn't even inviting her because I wanted to date her, because she was too young for me, to be honest," he detailed.
However, his perspective shifted when he saw her interact with children at the event. "I remember her taking care of these kids at the party, making sure they had enough [to eat] and I was like that reminds me of home and the kind of girl I want to really be with," Duhamel said. This wholesome demeanor reminded him of his roots and led him to reconsider, joking, "maybe she's not too young."
As Duhamel prepares to welcome his daughter, his journey reflects a blend of Hollywood glamour and down-to-earth family values, showcasing the evolving dynamics of modern celebrity parenthood.
