Rebel Wilson defends controversial parenting decision: 'Mum-shamed'

Aussie star Rebel Wilson has opened up about being “mum-shamed” by fans after partying just one week after welcoming her new baby Royce via a surrogate. The Pitch Perfect star attended two star-studded bashes, one for Leonardo DiCaprio’s birthday and the other to celebrate Paris Hilton’s wedding anniversary.

The new mother shared videos on Instagram from the wild parties which she attended with girlfriend Ramona Agruma, but deleted her posts after copping intense backlash. Her decision to have a night out was labelled “strange” and one fan said she would likely “regret” the post.

In a chat with Bachelor stars Brittany Hockley and Laura Byrne on their Life Uncut podcast, Rebel staunchly defended her decision to continue living her life as a new mum.

She compared her situation to fellow Aussie star Chris Hemsworth heading to the gym without his children, and noted that she had the worst criticism from other women.

“It was only a week until I got mum-shamed,” she recalled. “I was shocked at the criticism because Chris Hemsworth goes to the gym, and people aren’t yelling ‘Where’s your kids?’…but why do they do it to every woman?”

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Rebel also spilled that she wasn’t sure about attending the events, but her nanny encouraged her to go. The Senior Year star added that networking at celebrity parties is also part of her job, although it can be quite “fun” as well.

“It’s a little bit [of] work in a way, like I’m talking to directors or talking to other actors that might be useful to collaborate with…and then we were basically home by midnight,” she said.

When Laura acknowledged the common expectation that mums are supposed to be “sacrificial” for their children, Rebel asserted that she isn’t going to put her life on hold for her baby.

“Just because you become a mother, doesn’t mean that you lose your identity as a person, it doesn’t mean you can’t go out with friends or you can’t go on a holiday. It doesn’t mean you can’t have a career,” she explained, before admitting she’s finding it “hard” to balance work and motherhood.

“People will say I’m in a privileged position, which I am, but I think it’s so outdated…why is it women shaming other women? It always is,” she pointed out.

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Fans were quick to agree with Rebel, saying it’s unfair that mothers are treated differently from fathers.

“So true. Had a few people literally ask ‘Where is the baby?’ No matter how long you’ve been back from maternity leave,” one fan wrote.

“It amazes me how women tear each other down one day, then empower them the next…go figure,” another added.

“Loved this chat with @rebelwilson! Fk she is such a bloody legend. So happy for her,” a third chimed in.

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