British actress Vanessa Kirby has entered a new and joyous chapter of her life: motherhood. The 37-year-old star, known for her Emmy-winning role in The Crown, Mission: Impossible and her superhero portrayal of Sue Storm (The Invisible Woman) in Marvel’s Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), gave birth to her first child with fiancé Paul Rabil, a former professional lacrosse player and sports executive. The couple confirmed the news with an intimate social media announcement on October 19, 2025, warmly embraced by fans and media worldwide.
A Tender Announcement
Paul Rabil shared the exciting news on Instagram with candid family photos capturing Vanessa, their newborn, and himself in quiet, loving moments. His caption expressed the profound transformations of parenthood: “I’m learning that becoming a parent both slows you down and wakes you up at the same time. I’m really grateful for everyone’s health, that I get to wake up every day to mum’s enormous love, and that we get to have you in our lives now.” Tagged with playful warmth, he also included a picture of two lacrosse sticks—one adult-sized, one miniature—symbolizing his sporting legacy and hopeful new memories, humorously noting there might be “broken windows, but balls are allowed indoors”.
Details such as the baby’s name, gender, and exact birth date remain private. Sources note Vanessa has chosen to spend this special time quietly with her newborn outside the spotlight.
Art Imitates Life: From Screen Pregnancy to Real Motherhood
In a beautifully poetic coincidence, Kirby’s pregnancy intertwined closely with her role as Sue Storm. Her character, featured in Fantastic Four: First Steps (released July 25, 2025), marks a first for the Marvel Cinematic Universe as an on-screen superhero mom balancing epic battles with impending motherhood. Vanessa spoke openly about the experience, calling it “surreal and deeply empowering” to portray a strong mother who doesn’t sit sidelined. “Sue is a mother, a worker, a hero — all at once. That’s what women are capable of,” Kirby reflected during the film’s worldwide promotional tour.
She also shared how filming scenes with a prosthetic pregnancy belly was a different challenge from real pregnancy, noting the foam bump was heavier and caused backaches, unlike the lighter feel of her actual baby bump. The experience of portraying maternal strength on screen added emotional depth to her personal journey as a new mom.
A Love Story Rooted in Strength and Gratitude
Kirby and Rabil’s relationship first came to public attention in October 2022 after being seen together in New York. They confirmed their engagement in 2024 and have shared glimpses of their deep bond on social media. Rabil’s heartfelt words about Kirby speak to a relationship grounded in mutual respect and love: “From the first moment we met — around the world and back — life became far better, more meaningful, and more beautiful because of you”.
Balancing Kirby’s high-profile acting career and Rabil’s sports business ventures, their partnership exemplifies modern love and support. Media outlets describe them as humble and grounded amidst the glamour, focusing on family and well-being.
Industry Praise and Future Prospects
Fantastic Four: First Steps has been widely praised for bringing a fresh, emotional dimension to the Marvel saga. Critics have lauded Kirby’s performance as the “heart and conscience” of the film and a positive representation of working mothers in a traditionally male-dominated superhero genre.
Kirby is set to reprise her role as Sue Storm in the anticipated Avengers: Doomsday (2026), scenes of which she partly filmed while pregnant, calling the experience “one of the coolest things I’ve ever done.” She credits motherhood with enhancing her intuition and emotional connection to her craft.
A Supermom in Every Sense
Vanessa Kirby’s journey from playing royal and heroic characters on screen to embracing real-life motherhood resonates widely. Her ability to blend vulnerability, strength, and grace both as a star and a parent offers inspiration beyond cinema. As she embarks on this new life chapter, Kirby symbolizes a powerful model of modern womanhood: capable, compassionate, and courageous.
