The Untold Secrets Of Ryan Reynolds' Daughters: From Kidpool Controversy To 'Soft Parenting'

As of December 2025, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are one of Hollywood’s most beloved and fiercely private couples, known for their witty social media banter and their dedication to keeping their family life away from the spotlight. However, recent events have pulled one of their daughters into the public eye, sparking a major conversation about celebrity parenting and on-screen content.

This deep dive explores the current, up-to-date facts about all three of Ryan Reynolds' daughters—James, Inez, and Betty—including their approximate ages, the surprising origins of their names, and the explosive details behind Inez’s unexpected, and controversial, cameo appearance as 'Kidpool' in the hit film Deadpool & Wolverine. The family's commitment to "soft parenting" is now being tested by the very public nature of their careers.

The Reynolds-Lively Family: A Full Biography of the Children

Ryan Reynolds, a globally recognized actor famous for his roles in Deadpool, The Proposal, and Free Guy, and Blake Lively, known for Gossip Girl and A Simple Favor, share four children. They have three daughters and one son, all of whom they have worked diligently to protect from media scrutiny. The following is a breakdown of their children’s profiles as of late 2025:

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• Name: James Reynolds
• Born: December 2014
• Approximate Age (Dec 2025): 10 years old
• Significance: The eldest child, whose name drew attention for being traditionally male, setting a trend for unique celebrity baby names.

• Name: Inez Reynolds
• Born: September 2016
• Approximate Age (Dec 2025): 9 years old
• Significance: Recently became the subject of a major media controversy following her cameo in a major R-rated superhero film.

• Name: Betty Reynolds
• Born: October 2019
• Approximate Age (Dec 2025): 6 years old
• Significance: Her name was famously revealed in Taylor Swift's song "Betty" on the Folklore album, alongside the names of her two older sisters.

• Name: Olin Reynolds
• Born: February 2023
• Approximate Age (Dec 2025): 2 years old
• Significance: The youngest child and only son, whose name was finally confirmed by Reynolds in a public address in 2024. The name Olin is of Scandinavian origin.

The Inez 'Kidpool' Controversy: An Explicit Line Sparks Backlash

The most significant and recent news involving Ryan Reynolds' daughters revolves around his second child, Inez Reynolds. In 2024, Inez made a brief, uncredited cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine as the character 'Kidpool,' a child version of the titular anti-hero.

While the appearance itself was a fun nod to family involvement, the controversy erupted when Reynolds revealed details about her on-set experience.

The "Sick and Disturbing" Line

Reynolds publicly admitted that he coached his then 7-year-old daughter to deliver a specific line in the film, which he described as "sick and disturbing" and "explicit." The line, which was raunchy and adult in nature, was part of the film's signature R-rated humor.

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The revelation immediately drew sharp criticism from online critics, parents, and fans alike. Many argued that involving a young child in the delivery of explicit, adult-themed dialogue—and then boasting about coaching her to do so—was inappropriate and a violation of the child's privacy and innocence.

The backlash centered on the ethics of using a minor for a controversial punchline in a film known for its vulgarity, even if the child is the star's own daughter. The incident highlights the difficult balance celebrity parents face when their professional lives intersect with their family's privacy. Despite the criticism, Reynolds also joked about the experience, quipping that Inez was the "only costar I argued with" on the set.

Behind the Names: The Meaning and Taylor Swift Connection

The names of Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively's daughters are anything but traditional, often serving as a tribute to family members or a deliberate choice to challenge gender norms, which has generated significant topical authority for the family.

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James: The Gender-Bending Choice

James, the eldest, has a name that is traditionally masculine. Ryan Reynolds has explained that James is named after his late father, James C. Reynolds, making it a heartfelt tribute. The couple has been praised by some for challenging the convention of gendered names, while others have criticized the choice, suggesting a name like Jamie would have been a more appropriate compromise for a girl.

Inez and Betty: The Classic, Old-Fashioned Flair

Inez is a classic, old-fashioned name of Portuguese and Spanish origin, meaning "pure" or "holy." Betty is a diminutive of Elizabeth, meaning "pledged to God." Both names have a timeless, vintage quality that contrasts with the modern celebrity naming trends.

The Taylor Swift Entity Connection

The name Betty gained global recognition not from a press release, but from a country song. Taylor Swift, a close friend of the couple, featured the names of all three daughters—James, Inez, and Betty—in her 2020 track "Betty" on the Folklore album. This was the informal, yet official, reveal of their third daughter's name, cementing a unique and lasting cultural entity connection between the Reynolds-Lively family and the pop superstar.

The Reynolds-Lively 'Soft Parenting' Philosophy

Despite the occasional public controversy, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are known for their highly intentional and grounded approach to raising their four children. They are dedicated to maintaining a sense of normalcy and privacy, even with their high-profile careers.

Prioritizing Emotional Awareness and Gratitude

The couple has spoken openly about their commitment to "soft parenting," a philosophy focused on emotional intelligence, open communication, and avoiding the rigid authority of traditional discipline. They emphasize the importance of gratitude and emotional awareness, ensuring their children feel safe to express their feelings without judgment.

Reynolds has often quipped about the challenges of fatherhood, but always with a deep sense of love and respect for his daughters. He has called being a girl dad "the best thing in the world" and frequently jokes about the humbling experience of being outnumbered by women in his house. This humorous, yet deeply committed, perspective is central to their family dynamic.

The Commitment to Privacy

A core tenet of their parenting style is protecting their children's privacy. They rarely share photos of their children's faces on social media and have deliberately chosen to raise their family largely outside of the Hollywood bubble, often spending time at their home in Pound Ridge, New York. This commitment is designed to give their children a chance at a normal childhood, free from the intense scrutiny that their parents constantly face.

Ultimately, the story of Ryan Reynolds' daughters is a compelling blend of Hollywood glamour, deeply personal choices, and the modern challenges of fame. From the classic names to the controversial cameo, James, Inez, Betty, and Olin are growing up in a unique environment, guided by parents who are trying to balance a public life with a private, grounded upbringing. The recent Kidpool story serves as a fresh reminder that even the most private celebrity families are never truly shielded from the public eye.