Actress Leslie Bibb has shared candid insights about her deliberate choice to live without children, joining a growing number of celebrities who are speaking openly about opting out of parenthood.
Personal Revelation on Podcast
The White Lotus star appeared on Jenna Bush Hager's "Open Book" podcast on Thursday, where she discussed her journey of self-discovery and what she truly wants from life. During the conversation, Bibb made her position on motherhood unmistakably clear.
"I don't want kids, it's not a chip I have," Bibb stated frankly during the discussion about her personal revelations. "And the mom I would wanna be, I'm not sure I can be."
Childhood Experiences Shaped Perspective
Bibb traced her decision back to her early childhood experiences, particularly the loss of her father when she was just three years old. She explained how this tragedy significantly impacted her mother and family dynamics.
"My dad died when I was 3 and my mom had a really hard time with it," Bibb shared. "She was working all the time because she had four girls and she had to. I think I really felt the loss of her presence because she was hustling."
The Iron Man actress elaborated on how this shaped her understanding of parenting responsibilities. "All I wanted was her there, but she was providing for us. So I think I knew how important that was for me, too, if I had a kid, I would want to give that to them."
Bibb acknowledged that while she missed her mother's presence, she recognized her mother found fulfillment through work. "I wanted my mom there, but I knew that I had a better, more fun mom because she was really fulfilled by her work."
Natural Maternal Instincts Absent
Beyond her family background, Bibb revealed that she never exhibited traditional maternal tendencies, even during childhood. She told Bush Hager that she doesn't "remember playing with babies as a kid," though she would occasionally "cut their hair."
When Bush Hager suggested she might have lacked maternal feelings, Bibb confirmed: "No, I never did. I have it towards dogs!"
Bibb joins other prominent figures in entertainment who are challenging traditional expectations around parenthood. Miley Cyrus recently discussed her ambivalence about having children during an appearance on The New York Times' "The Interview" podcast in June.
"It's just never been something that I've been overly passionate about," the singer explained. "It's a lot of responsibility and devotion and energy, and if you're not passionate about that, I don't know how you do sleepless nights and 18 years of what my mom dealt with."
This conversation comes shortly after Bibb shared her refreshing perspective on marriage, having been in a long-term relationship without feeling the need to formalize it through wedding vows.
