The Secret Bump: Was Hilary Duff Pregnant During Younger? (Seasons 5 & 7 Revealed)

The question of whether Hilary Duff was pregnant while playing the ambitious publishing executive Kelsey Peters on the hit TV show *Younger* is one of the most frequently searched queries by fans, and the answer is a resounding yes—not once, but twice. This revelation, which is often a surprise to viewers given the seamless nature of her on-screen presence, highlights the impressive lengths the production team went to in order to conceal her growing baby bump. As of December 2025, the details of her pregnancies during the show's run are a fascinating look into the world of television production and a testament to the actress's commitment to her role.

The beloved actress, who is now a mother of four, managed to keep her real-life family expansions separate from the *Younger* storyline, where her character Kelsey Peters was focused entirely on her career at Empirical/Millennial Print. Her pregnancies occurred during the filming of the show's fifth and seventh seasons, requiring creative wardrobe choices, strategic camera angles, and the use of props to maintain the illusion that Kelsey was not expecting a child.

Hilary Duff: A Complete Biographical Profile

Hilary Duff is a multifaceted American actress, singer, author, and entrepreneur whose career has spanned over two decades, transitioning successfully from a beloved teen idol to a respected adult performer.

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• Full Name: Hilary Erhard Duff
• Date of Birth: September 28, 1987
• Place of Birth: Houston, Texas, U.S.
• Spouse: Matthew Koma (m. 2019); Ex-husband: Mike Comrie (m. 2010; div. 2016)
• Children: Four (Luca Cruz Comrie, Banks Violet Bair, Mae James Bair, and Townes Meadow Bair)
• Breakthrough Role: Lizzie McGuire (Disney Channel series and film)
• Notable TV Roles: Kelsey Peters in Younger (2015–2021), Sophie in How I Met Your Father (2022–2023), Olivia Burke in Gossip Girl (2009)
• Music Career: Released five studio albums, including the multi-platinum Metamorphosis.

The Two Times Hilary Duff Was Pregnant While Filming Younger

Hilary Duff’s time on *Younger* overlapped with two of her pregnancies, presenting a unique challenge for the show's creators, Darren Star and the production team. Unlike some shows that write a pregnancy into the storyline, Kelsey Peters's arc remained focused on her professional life, meaning the pregnancies had to be carefully concealed.

Pregnancy No. 1: Concealing Banks Violet Bair in Season 5

The first time Hilary Duff was pregnant while portraying Kelsey Peters was during the filming of *Younger* Season 5. This was her second child, and her first with current husband, musician Matthew Koma. The couple welcomed their daughter, Banks Violet Bair, in October 2018.

The filming schedule for Season 5 took place in the spring and summer of 2018. As her pregnancy progressed, the show’s costume and camera departments went into overdrive. The goal was to maintain the character's signature stylish, New York publishing executive look while hiding the growing baby bump.

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• The Child: Banks Violet Bair (Born October 2018)
• The Season: *Younger* Season 5 (Aired June–August 2018)
• Concealment Techniques: The wardrobe team relied heavily on voluminous, A-line dresses, structured blazers, and oversized bags. Camera work often focused on close-ups or utilized objects like desks, large books, or stacks of manuscripts to block the view of her midsection.

Fans who rewatch Season 5 can spot the subtle changes, such as Kelsey suddenly holding a large handbag in front of her or standing behind her co-star, Sutton Foster (Liza Miller), in key scenes. The show’s rapid-fire shooting schedule meant they had to be creative and efficient with every shot.

Pregnancy No. 2: Hiding Mae James Bair During the Final Season (Season 7)

The second and more challenging pregnancy for the *Younger* production team occurred during the filming of the seventh and final season. Hilary Duff was expecting her third child, daughter Mae James Bair, who was born in March 2021.

Filming for Season 7 began in late 2020 and extended into early 2021. This meant that for a significant portion of the final season, Duff was heavily pregnant. The pressure was on to wrap up the series while accommodating her due date.

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• The Child: Mae James Bair (Born March 2021)
• The Season: *Younger* Season 7 (Aired April–June 2021)
• Concealment Techniques: The need for concealment was even more pronounced this time. The show utilized more creative framing, including shooting her from the chest up and having her sit behind desks or tables frequently. The final season’s storyline, which saw Kelsey Peters taking a step back from the day-to-day operations of the company, also helped justify fewer full-body shots and more scenes involving video calls or meetings where she was seated.

The cast and crew spoke about the challenge, noting that they were essentially racing the clock to finish the first few episodes before her bump became too large to hide effectively, especially in the early episodes of the season where she had a larger presence. The show was able to complete her scenes before she gave birth, ensuring a cohesive and satisfying conclusion for the character of Kelsey Peters.

The Legacy of Kelsey Peters and Hilary Duff’s Career Evolution

Hilary Duff’s portrayal of Kelsey Peters was a critical and commercial success, marking a significant evolution from her early career as Lizzie McGuire. The seven-season run of *Younger* allowed her to showcase her talent as a leading adult actress, navigating complex themes of ambition, friendship, and the cutthroat world of New York publishing.

The fact that she managed to film two major seasons of a popular series while pregnant twice speaks volumes about her professionalism and the dedication of the entire *Younger* team. The show’s ability to seamlessly integrate her real-life situation without disrupting the narrative is a testament to high-level television production, using techniques that are common in the industry but rarely noticed by the average viewer.

Following the conclusion of *Younger*, Hilary Duff quickly transitioned to another major television role, starring as Sophie in the Hulu series *How I Met Your Father*. This role further cemented her status as a sitcom lead, while her personal life continues to expand, having recently welcomed her fourth child, Townes Meadow Bair, in 2024. Her career trajectory is a perfect example of a child star successfully navigating the challenges of Hollywood and motherhood simultaneously, all while keeping the magic of the screen alive for her audience.