7 Shocking Ways The Game Hid Tia Mowry's Real-Life Pregnancy On Screen

The persistent rumor surrounding Tia Mowry’s time on the hit series The Game is definitively true: The actress, who played the beloved character Melanie Barnett-Davis, was indeed pregnant while filming one of the show’s most pivotal seasons. This real-life event created a significant challenge for the production team, as Melanie’s storyline did not include a pregnancy at the time. As of this current date in December 2025, the story of how the show managed to conceal her growing baby bump remains a fascinating piece of television trivia that speaks to the dedication of the cast and crew.

The pregnancy in question was with her first child, a son named Cree, and it occurred during a crucial period of the show’s run after its highly publicized move to BET. The methods used to keep her pregnancy under wraps were a masterclass in on-screen concealment, leading many viewers to be completely unaware of the exciting development in the actress’s personal life.

Tia Mowry's Full Biography and Professional Profile

Tia Mowry-Hardrict is an American actress, producer, and singer who rose to fame alongside her identical twin sister, Tamera Mowry, in the 1990s sitcom Sister, Sister. Her career has spanned decades, with major roles in both television and film, establishing her as a prominent figure in entertainment.

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• Full Name: Tia Dashon Mowry
• Date of Birth: July 6, 1978
• Place of Birth: Gelnhausen, West Germany (now Germany)
• Parents: Darlene Mowry (Mother), Timothy Mowry (Father)
• Twin Sibling: Tamera Mowry-Housley
• Spouse: Cory Hardrict (Married 2008; Divorced 2023)
• Children: Cree Taylor Hardrict (Son), Cairo Tiahna Hardrict (Daughter)
• Notable TV Roles: Sister, Sister (Tia Landry), The Game (Melanie Barnett-Davis), Tia & Tamera (Herself), Instant Mom (Stephanie Phillips), Family Reunion (Cocoa McKellan)
• Education: Pepperdine University (Psychology)
• Career Highlights: NAACP Image Award winner, co-star of a successful reality show, published cookbook author, and entrepreneur in the wellness and supplement space.

The Definitive Answer: Which Season Was Tia Mowry Pregnant?

The speculation is correct: Tia Mowry was pregnant with her first child, Cree Taylor Hardrict, during the filming of The Game Season 4.

The timeline of her pregnancy aligns perfectly with the production schedule of the show’s highly anticipated return to television. Season 4 of The Game premiered on BET in January 2011, and the excitement surrounding its renewal made it a critical season for the network. Tia Mowry’s son, Cree, was born on June 28, 2011.

Tia Mowry has spoken about being pregnant while working on the show, confirming that she was approximately two months along toward the end of the season’s filming schedule. This meant that while her character, Melanie Barnett, was dealing with her tumultuous relationship with Derwin Davis and her career aspirations, the actress herself was navigating the early stages of her first pregnancy.

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The Cree Hardrict Pregnancy Timeline and The Game's Production

To fully understand the situation, it helps to look at the exact dates and how they overlapped:

• Late 2010: Filming for The Game Season 4 was underway. Tia Mowry found out she was pregnant with Cree while working in Atlanta.
• January 11, 2011: Season 4 of The Game premiered on BET.
• Early 2011: Tia Mowry was visibly pregnant by the end of the season’s filming, requiring careful camera work and wardrobe choices.
• June 28, 2011: Tia Mowry gave birth to her son, Cree Taylor Hardrict.

It is important to note that Tia Mowry’s second child, daughter Cairo Tiahna Hardrict, was born in 2018, long after she had departed from her main role on The Game after Season 5.

The Masterclass in Concealment: How Melanie Barnett Stayed Non-Pregnant

Since the character Melanie Barnett was not written to be pregnant, the show’s production team had to employ a series of strategic techniques to successfully hide Tia Mowry’s growing baby bump from the audience. This is a common practice in Hollywood, but The Game executed it so flawlessly that many fans missed the signs entirely.

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Here are the key methods and visual cues used to conceal Tia Mowry’s pregnancy during the filming of The Game Season 4:

1. The "Cute, Flowy Clothes" Strategy

Tia Mowry herself confirmed that her wardrobe was significantly altered towards the end of the season. Her character, Melanie, was transitioned into wearing more "cute, flowy clothes," such as loose-fitting blouses, empire-waist dresses, and oversized jackets.

2. Strategic Prop Placement

Props became Melanie’s best friends. Throughout the later episodes of Season 4, you might notice Melanie frequently holding large handbags, carrying oversized folders or notebooks, or even clutching a pillow or a stack of laundry. These items were strategically placed to block the midsection from the camera's view.

3. The "Sit-Down" Scene Solution

A noticeable shift in blocking meant Melanie spent a lot more time sitting down. When an actress is seated, the bump is naturally less visible, especially if she is seated behind a table, desk, or countertop. This minimized the need for full body shots.

4. Camera Angles and Tight Shots

The directors and cinematographers relied heavily on close-up shots (tight shots) of Tia Mowry's face and upper body. When a wider shot was necessary, they would often film her from the shoulders up or from a high angle, which tends to flatten the midsection.

5. The "Behind the Furniture" Blocking

When Melanie was required to be standing, she was frequently positioned behind other objects or cast members. Look for scenes where she is standing behind a kitchen island, a couch, or even partially obscured by her co-stars, like Pooch Hall (Derwin Davis) or Hosea Chanchez (Malik Wright).

6. Minimal Movement and Limited Physicality

To avoid drawing attention to her changing body, Melanie’s scenes often involved less physical activity and movement. She wasn't running, jumping, or engaging in intense physical scenes that would make a bump more obvious.

7. Temporary Character Absence

While Melanie was a core character, the production may have strategically reduced her screen time in the final episodes of the season, or given her character a less demanding storyline that required fewer full-body shots, to allow the actress some flexibility during her pregnancy.

The successful concealment of Tia Mowry’s pregnancy allowed the show to maintain the integrity of Melanie Barnett’s storyline while celebrating the actress’s personal milestone. It stands as a testament to the collaborative effort between the star and the production team during one of The Game's most watched seasons.