Skai Jackson, 22, is pregnant. The former Disney star, best known for playing the role of Zuri in the hit show “Jessie,” publicly debuted her baby bump last week. In an interview with PEOPLE, Jackson said, “I’m thrilled to begin this new chapter in my life — embracing motherhood and diving into new acting projects. My heart is so full!”
While others may be extending their highest congratulations, this news came as a disappointing shock to me. I have noticed an increase in out-of-wedlock pregnancies among successful female celebrities. Single celebrity mothers are proliferating in the media and entertainment industries. Oftentimes, they are impregnated by their less successful partners. This is often referred to by the internet as the “baby mama phenomenon.”
This issue is especially prominent in the Black community. In 2023, 21 percent of all mothers were single, and 47 percent of Black mothers were single mothers. The percentage of births to unmarried women was 41 percent in 2021.
Let’s begin with Jackson herself. Her pregnancy announcement was clouded by the thunderous news of her baby daddy getting arrested for violating parole. Deondre Burgin was arrested in Cincinnati on Nov. 13 after an altercation with the police. According to the arrest report obtained by TMZ, officers attempted to arrest Burgin on a “juvenile parole violation warrant.” But he attempted to flee the scene on foot and fell.
Keke Palmer, 31, welcomed a baby boy back in Feb. 2023. The actress and singer announced her firstborn child, Leodis “Leo” Andrellton Jackson in an Instagram post, captioned “Hey Son!” The baby’s father, Darius Jackson, and Palmer separated in Oct. 2023. In Nov. 2023, Palmer filed a temporary restraining order against Jackson, alleging emotional and physical abuse and asking for full custody of their baby.
Halle Bailey, 24, had a baby boy with “rapper” boyfriend DDG in Jan. 2024. “The Little Mermaid” star named her baby Halo. In Oct. 2024, DDG announced in a heartfelt social media post that they had terminated their relationship. “After much reflection and heartfelt conversations, Halle and I have decided to go our separate ways,” he said. “The decision was not easy, but we believe it's the best path forward for both of us. I cherish the time we’ve spent together and the love we shared.”
Rapper Sexyy Red, 26, welcomed a baby boy in 2020 named Chuckie, after the baby’s father who is incarcerated. Red and the baby’s father are alleged high school sweethearts, and it was his infidelity that inspired her to start rapping. The terms they are on are ambiguous, given her posting him for Father’s Day, but also having a song titled “F My Baby Dad,” although it is unclear which man she is talking about. Red announced her second pregnancy in Oct. 2023, and gave birth in Feb. 2024. The birth was captured in rapper Drake’s music video “Rich Baby Daddy.” Red has yet to reveal the identity of the father, although some speculate that it is Drake himself.
White rapper and Dr. Phil alum Bhad Bhabie, 21, gave birth to a baby girl Kali Love in March 2024. Her boyfriend, rapper Le Vaughn, has been accused by Bhabie of domestic violence. Bhabie posted security camera footage of him throwing her to the ground, face-first, coupled with a picture of her wounded face on her Instagram Story.
Why are so many successful women in the media single moms? Why do established women start families with such senseless men? Why can’t these women choose a partner who meets or exceeds their caliber? Why is a precious thing considered a smaller commitment than a ring? It perplexes me that women in the media are departing from traditional families and plunging headfirst into the extramarital unknown. These women should be wives before mothers. The next generation of nepotism babies deserve better than “baby daddies.”
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
