Whale Rider actress expecting first child – a baby girl.

Update: Keisha is having a baby girl.

Originally posted on October 6th: Oscar nominated Whale Rider star Keisha Castle-Hughes, 16, is expecting her first child this spring. She and her boyfriend, Bradley Hull, 19, have been dating for three years.

Source: People

Thanks to CBB readers Tracy, Sarah and Clare.

We’ve had to close the comments due to some extremely negative comments we’ve received.  A relative of Bradley’s emailed us to set the record straight, saying that lack of cultural context has clouded our readers perceptions about Keisha and Bradley’s relationship as well as their pregnancy.  She said that in indigenous cultures, such as the Maori of New Zealand, of which Keisha is a part, 16 is not considered a young age to have a baby, that her parents were not neglectful or tacitly approving of an "illegal relationship," and reminded us that the laws are different in other countries. CBB readers Zoey, Helen, and Sabrina tells us that the age of consent in Australia is 16, not 18 as it is in the United States – therefore there are no statutory rape concerns as many readers expressed.

Comments

wow…a bit young for a baby.

- fynn on October 6th, 2006

That’s wayyy too young

- Ally on October 6th, 2006

She is so young but a beautiful girl..Good luck to her.

- Natalie S. on October 6th, 2006

teen preganacy happens everywhere. at least she is financially stable enough.

congrats to her I wish her the best.

- sandy on October 6th, 2006

She’s young, sure, and who knows if the baby was planned or not, but I wish her all the best.

- Bel on October 6th, 2006

she is a bit young, but girls her age have children all the time. I wish her the best.

- lienne on October 6th, 2006

She’s really young. It however can be done. My mother got pregnant at 16 and gave birth to me when she was 17. She had lots of support from family. Yes 16 is young but like I said it can be done, and done well.

- halifaxhoney on October 6th, 2006

wow, she is young! i wish her the best.

- tink1217 on October 6th, 2006

Best wishes..and a healthy pregnancy, delivery, and baby!

- Yonni on October 6th, 2006

Congrats? I do wish her the best but, She’s way to young. And I’m sure if this was any of your own daughters you would not be this congratulatory.

- Shelly on October 6th, 2006

what!!! pregnant at 16!!! wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy too young!!!!

- Francois on October 6th, 2006

Boy, her parents are a lot more lenient than I would be. If they have been dating for 3 years, that means they let their 13-year-old daughter date a 16-year-old boy…NO WAY! Before anyone says anything, I know, they could still have gotten together. Regadless, I wish them nothing but the best! Congratulations!!

- P Dawn on October 6th, 2006

yes, i agree, i hope her the best, but that is a very young mother. of couse, money is one of the challenges of being a young parent, but by no means the only one. i hope she has lots of support.

- willa t on October 6th, 2006

Sorry, I’m not celebrating the fact that a 16 year old is pregnant. I think it’s very sad.

- giadana on October 6th, 2006

He’s 19, which makes him an adult and her a minor. What happened to the statatory rape side of this story?

- Karen on October 6th, 2006

That is way too young for a baby. It is scary to me that society thinks that this is acceptable. She’s been dating her boyfriend for three years and pregnant at 16, where are her parents!!!

- Alaina on October 6th, 2006

I say CONGRATS!!! Babies are wonderful. I too was a young mother (17 & single) and my child and I are doing beautifully 10 years later. I even went to law school. Becoming a parent at a young age does not = doom. lol

- Jen on October 6th, 2006

COngratulations to the expectant parents!

Anthropologically speaking, 16 is not too young. And, in many cultures today, 16 is an acceptable age at which to have a baby. Personally, if one of my children were happily expecting a baby at age 16 I would be my normal, loving, supportive mother-self. But then, I homeschool my kids and know full well how mature teens can be and often are.

- Beth on October 6th, 2006

I do congratulate her! A baby is always a blessing. I know she’s very young, but at least they have been together for 3 years. That seems like an eternity in Hollywood!! I wish them all the best!

- Elisa on October 6th, 2006

she is so young, but 12 year olds are having babies nowadays so 16 technically isnt young any more

- gina on October 6th, 2006

I absolutely loved her in Whale Rider. I’m 17 and have two friends who are teenage mothers. One is 18 and the other is 16 and had TWINS. Teen pregnancy isn’t that big of a deal anymore. I think people are starting to go back to the old days where by 16 you were already married with kids. I think age doesn’t matter as long as you can support the child and hopefully still have your family on your side. I still find it odd when adults are shocked when they find out a teenager is pregnant. Walk into a highschool and you’ll see pregnant girls everywhere. I wish her the best and a healthy baby.

- Lin on October 6th, 2006

Congrats to Keisha !
I don’t understand this stigma against teenage pregnancy. Lots of people were born to teenage mothers and alot of them turned out just fine !
Today with birth control and legal abortion teenage pregnancy is actually quite rare but when it does happen it should NOT be stigmatized. Some girls don’t believe in abortion and give their babies up for adoption while others who have support decide to raise their children.
Most likely Keisha is out of school, financially independent, and has a stable relationship. I think it is wonderful she has now chosen to become a mother !

- Denise on October 6th, 2006

Yes it is young, but have you thought about where she somes from. It`s normal for hawaiian girls to give bith to a chilf that young. At least she isn`t having babaies at 13 like they are doing here in Britain..!!!

- Mischa on October 6th, 2006

I don’t understand this stigma against teenage pregnancy. Alot of people were born to teenage mothers and turned out just fine !
Today with birth control and legal abortion teenage pregnancy is actually quite rare. However, when it does happen it should NOT be stigmatized. Some girls don’t believe in abortion and put their babies up for adoption. While others who have support raise their children on their own.
As far as I can see Keisha is out of school, financially independent and in a stable relationship.
I think it is wonderful she has now chosen to become a mother.

- Denise on October 6th, 2006

Aww.. she’s kinda young but I’m sure she is financially stable. I’m sure if she didn’t want the baby she wouldn’t have it either.

- Cassie on October 6th, 2006

The news is reporting this like it’s an ok thing. Her boyfriend is 19…isn’t this illegal?? Celebrity or not, at 16 your still a child.

- Kerry on October 6th, 2006

I wonder how her parents feel, considering she is underage and was probably having sex much younger than that. Good luck to her…

- brass on October 6th, 2006

I hope everything for her goes well and she has a healthy baby.

16 is young, but teen pregnancy happens everyday. It’ll be hard but a good mother is a good mother regardless of age, only time will tell. I really do wish her the best though…. I was more shocked at the fact that she was 13 and he was 16 when they first got together…

- thegabster on October 6th, 2006

Sure it can be done and there are many teens out there makin it, but golly! Celebs are setting such a trend these days! She basically saying it’s okay for a teen girl to have a baby with her boyfriend, maybe she’ll do fine but what about the rest of the population that is not so well off? Just not right.

- Keila on October 6th, 2006

She is young but, judging from her performace in Whalerider, I think she’s probably more mature than most girls her age. I wish her the best of luck!

- Stacy B on October 6th, 2006

What’s done is done, what’s decided is decided — so we may as well be congratulatory!

- Nicole R. on October 6th, 2006

Well what’s done is done, whether she’s 16 or not. So all that’s left is to wish her congratulations and a healthy, happy pregnancy. All the best to her.

- Sandy on October 6th, 2006

Shelly: If it was one of my daughters I’d give them every ounce of strength and support I could (whatever their decision ultimately may be). And yes, my joy as well. It isn’t necessarily what I would want for them but I would NEVER put them down or have them believe that their children were not a cause for celebration.

- Bel on October 6th, 2006

I’m not so sure that congratulations are in order for teen pregnancy, even if the person is a “celebrity”. When we did it become ok for a 19 year old to get a 16 year old pregnant anyway? I hope that she has a healthy pregnancy, but I can’t offer my congratulations.

- staceymay on October 6th, 2006

I don’t think she’s 16. She’s definitely older than that by now, she was in one of the Star Wars films and she was 19 by then already….

- Moonmoth on October 6th, 2006

Yes, 16 is very young, but you also have to remember that teenagers in show biz grow up alot faster than regular teenagers.

- Gianina on October 6th, 2006

Nothing is wrong with that..I had my son at 16…hes two now…I’ve done fine with him..Congrats to her..its hard but a 16 year old can be just as good a mom as a 30 year old

- Jamie on October 6th, 2006

Speaking as a women who gave birth at age 16 and my (then fiancée) husband was 19.Sure they’re young but not all teenagers are irresponsible and immature. It can certainly be done and done well, in fact! I don’t think it’s right that society stereotypes young parents the way they do. She’s pregnant, that’s a blessing!! I wish her all the best.

- K on October 6th, 2006

Yes she is young ,but at least she is going to have the baby .Good for her i wish her the best it happens eveyday .

- MILAN on October 6th, 2006

Wow, that is young. I am sure she will do her absolute best for her baby. Is the father of her child an actor? His name sounds familiar.

- Sabby on October 6th, 2006

Why are you all so congratulatory? 16 is way too young for a baby, period. I wish her a healthy pregnancy and birth, but this is not going to be easy for her. Stop being so PC and think about if this was YOUR daughter.

- Anon on October 6th, 2006

16 is too young to be a mom, money or no money. How many sixteens in the world living that lifestyle (teenage pregnancy/motherhood) doesn’t change that fact. I feel bad for her and the child-to-be. When are people going to start fixing the epidemic? Kids are getting younger and younger as they start their active sex life. Are people going to be saying the same things when 12 year olds are finding themselves pregnant? “Gee…it happens to lots of ‘em. It can be done.”

I wish the best for her, too, though. I hope the dad sticks around.

- Cate on October 6th, 2006

Yes, Shelly, if it were our own daughters, it is possible we might feel differently. Then again, what’s done is done. The baby is on its way and that’s that. What good would being upset about it do?

She chose life, and for that she deserves some commendation and respect.

Had they publicly announced that she terminated her pregnancy, I doubt people would be happy about that and congratulating her for that, either.

I don’t know if they view young moms differently in the Maori culture, and they may well. But it wasn’t that long ago in Canada and the States where girls dropped out of high school to get married and become mothers, esp. in rural farming communities. That was common until at least the early to mid-1970′s where I grew up.

- Christina on October 6th, 2006

16 and 19? That’s extremely, awfully young! I wouldn’t be very happy if my child was having a baby that young but if it somehow did happen (God forbid), I’d definitely support them. At least there won’t be any big money worries in this case. Good luck to the young family.

- pink.lioness on October 6th, 2006

I was just watching Whale Rider last week and wondering what happened to her. Wow.

- Roise on October 6th, 2006

The best part? She’s playing the Virgin Mary in a new film, LOL.

- Glass on October 6th, 2006

This is ridiculous, the fact is she’s a child having a child. Even under finacially sound circumstances she can’t possibly be prepared for the resposibility of a child. That being said I do wish her the best.

- Tera on October 6th, 2006

I’d like to know how many people here lost their virginity before or at age 16. At least she isn’t having an abortion, she can do this…I know women who had children between 16-18 and they turned out to be incredible women and mother’s. Yes, young, nd no I wouldn’t be thrilled if my daughter had a teen pregnancy, but there are worse things in the world than a baby and some personal growth that comes along with it….let’s not judge.

- Kori on October 6th, 2006

Why is CBB posting this? There is nothing remotely appealing about a child having a child!

- M on October 6th, 2006

Yes 16 is way to young but its to late to turn back the clock and stop it so congrats to the couple as a newlife coming into the world is something to celebrate

- Carine on October 6th, 2006

You can’t tell me that everyone saying she is too young didn’t have sex or didn’t think about having sex when they were 16? Congratulations to her and for actually having the baby!

- Kelly on October 6th, 2006

I don’t think I can extend congrats here. I wish her the best of luck and a healthy pregnancy, but WOW….16 is so young. I had my first at 20 and sometimes wonder if I was too young. I remember being 16 and I know it would have been VERY hard if I had a baby at that age. And she has been dating him for 3 years already? Yikes!

Then again, it could be a cultural difference that make our views on early pregnancy different. Who am I to say what is appropriate?

- Peacepoet on October 6th, 2006

Sometimes teenagers who are in the public eye grow up faster than your average teen. Though, it still is very young. Congratulations and God Bless!

- Yanamaria on October 6th, 2006

I have to agree with Shelly’s comment above. I’m surprised at the positive comments this topic has taken as opposed to other topics that have caused such a stir. She’s such a young and promising actress, I don’t think this bodes well for her career and I’m quite surprised how open they are with the media, you’d think it would not be public knowledge.. due to her age. I do wish her luck and a healthy pregnancy!

- Christine on October 6th, 2006

shelly, i have to agree. I mean, I did wish her well, but congrats were not part of my thinking. I think 16 is way too young. I was 19 with my first and I had a hard time adjusting to motherhood. I even had lots of help from my mom and grandma and I was married. At 16 I would have DIED if I had gotten PG!!! I really hope she has a healthy PG and baby, but 16 is definitely too young!

- tink1217 on October 6th, 2006

It has been said that teenage pregnancy is high in her part of New Zealand and within her culture. I wish her the best of luck and that she has a great pregnancy. We tend to judge other people and how they live their lives, but in reality, it is none of our business how they live their lives… all we can do is wish her all the luck in the world and leave it at that.

- M on October 6th, 2006

Shelly,

What’s done is done. What do you want people to say? My friend had a baby at 16 and she finished high school, college, and is now a teacher. Stop being so negative. You don’t know what other people would say, or do in that situation. Don’t be rude.

- Yonni on October 6th, 2006

congratulations to her. I am 15 and I see and hear about this happening to girls everyday. It can be done. A girl at my school just graduated with a full scholarship and has a 3 year old son. So teen mothers can be just as successful, they just need support from loved ones.

- Erin on October 6th, 2006

young? yes. but you know – it’s nice to see a young hollywood girl having a baby this young… statistically, it should be happening more often. for some reason, i don’t think she’s the first young woman in hollywood to get pregnant… though she may be among the very first to actually be having a baby.

- girly on October 6th, 2006

Um Excuse me but this surprised me a little bit. All of you are saying congratulations and making it seem as a joyous sittuation. A 16 year old child is pregnant. When you sit down you conversate and argue about teen pregnancy, yet you all are here making it seem as if it is acceptable. I do wish her the best because it is going to be hard. She has not even lived her life fully yet and there she goes bringing a child into this world when she is a child herself. Anyways think about this……what if it was your child. Would you be congratulating her on being pregnant at 16???

- Ebs on October 6th, 2006

I wonder what the statuatory rape laws are in New Zealand? I mean, if she makes her residence in America now, for her acting career, wouldn’t her boyfriend be in a little trouble with the law? Maybe it’s different in New Zealand.

- Katie on October 6th, 2006

Congratulations to the expectant parents!

- Beth on October 6th, 2006

Wow, I guess the site allows inflammatory remarks as long as everyone agrees it’s unacceptable for the celebrity to have a baby. Gee, I sure hope someone else posts about her age – it sure would be original! Wasn’t the point of moderated comments so that this sort of negative commentary didn’t take place?

- Victoria on October 6th, 2006

Way too young. And if she has been with him for 3 years, that means he was 16 dating a 13 year old? Where were her parents?

- J on October 6th, 2006

Where were her parents when she was 13 dating a 16 year old??? That just doesn’t seem right to me.

- Jes on October 6th, 2006

I agree with Yonni! 16 is too young, sorry. And, if she were any of your daughters, “Congratulations” is the last word you would say.

- Josie on October 6th, 2006

She’s maori…maybe for them is normal to get married young and have kids at young age too…lots of culture have that! So before saying ” way too young ” you should inform better about her background.

- Rita on October 6th, 2006

16 is very young to be having a baby. However, it is done frequently by people who don’t have the money to support a family. It’s a shame she’ll miss out on just being young and child-free. Children can always wait a few more years… nothing wrong with kids in your 20s.

- Northern Girl on October 6th, 2006

It’s quite common for young Maori girls to have babies. I am sure she will get a lot of help from her whanau (family).

- Kresta on October 6th, 2006

Wow, she started dating her baby’s father when she was 13 yrs. old. That’s crazy. i wonder what her parents think. I wasn’t even allowed to date until I got out of highschool. I’m sure the baby will be a cutie, so congrats!

- Angie on October 6th, 2006

Just because lots of 16 year olds get pregnant doesn’t make it okay. I do with her the best but I also think she’s too young. But, raising a child when you’re 16 HAS been done before, so hopefully she can do it.

- Madi on October 6th, 2006

loved the movie The Whale Rider.

- Free on October 6th, 2006

Well she is a lot better off than most
other moms in her age group.
She may have family help or hire
a Nanny. 16 Is young but I know plenty of
30 something moms who are not the best parents. Best of luck to her and the father.
Who are we to Judge her?

- TwinMommy2006 on October 6th, 2006

Hey it doesn’t matter if anyone thinks she’s too young…she’s already pregnant and every pregnancy is a beautiful thing… despite the circumstances…

- Ashley on October 6th, 2006

Aren’t all of these age-related comments considered inflammatory?

Wouldn’t it be inappropriate for someone to comment that a mother is *too old* to be having children? Really- who are we to judge?

- Kristina on October 6th, 2006

if i got pregnant at that age my folks would kill me. hey but who are we to judge.

- rachel on October 6th, 2006

Wow, that’s a bit young! Why the rush? Call me clueless, but if he’s 19 and she’s 16 shouldn’t there be some legal issues here?

- Rachael on October 6th, 2006

This is such a shame. I know teens can have babies and raise them but teen pregnancy is a shame to me. I’m not trying to be self-righteous, but I find it interesting how the concept of shame has gone out the window. It is not of in this country for 16 year olds to be pregnant. Yes it happens and yes, the baby is a precious gift but 16 years getting pregnant is a sign of serious problems, IMO.

- nic on October 6th, 2006

Although I do think that 16 is really young to be having a baby. My cousin had her son at 15 and while at the time we were devastatd… it was not the end of the world and I wouldn’t change anything about my Dan-Dan being brought into the world. We, her family gave her lots of support and I’m sure this girl will receive the same. She is also more financially well off then most pregnant teens, as well a having been in a relationship longer than most. She is also a “child” actress, which probably means she has more life experience then most 16 year… much like Britney not being your average 23/24 year old due to her profession!

- Nisha, Senior CBB Contributor on October 6th, 2006

We’ve had a good mix of responses, thank you.

Some readers emailed, correctly misconceptions they saw in the comments.

CBB readers Zoey, Sabrina, and New Zealander Helen write:

In response to some of the comments, I thought it was important to point out that the legal age of consent in New Zealand is 16, not 18 like in the US. So a 19 yr old dating a 16 yr old would not consititute statuatory rape.

Australian CBB reader Audrey writes:

I am writing in response to some of the comments on the Keisha Castle-Hughes pregnancy announcement, especially those that imply that she has bad parents or that her boyfriend is a criminal.

What concerns me is the lack of contextual understanding and that the discussion was shut down before someone from the same culture could put some things into perspective. Firstly, in indigenous culture, 16 is not by any means a young age to be pregnant. But I am more pressingly distressed at the insinuation that her parents (and his) were neglectful or tacitly approved their engaging in illegal activity. I would think that people mature enough to judge whether someone else is old enough to have a baby, would realize that the law is not always the same in other countries as it is in the United States.

We’re now closing comments for this post.

- Sarah CBB News Editor on October 6th, 2006