The Secret Behind Kelsey Peters: 7 Clever Ways Hilary Duff's Pregnancy Was Hidden In Younger Season 7

The question of whether Hilary Duff was pregnant during the final season of the hit TV series Younger has been a major point of curiosity for fans since the season premiered. The definitive answer is yes, the actress was pregnant with her third child, Mae James Bair, while filming her final scenes as the ambitious editor Kelsey Peters. The challenge for the production team was to conceal a growing baby bump without altering Kelsey's established storyline, leading to some truly ingenious on-screen tricks that kept the secret safe, even with the show airing as recently as on streaming platforms.

The final season of Younger, which began airing in April 2021, saw Hilary Duff navigating the demanding schedule while preparing for a new addition to her family. This required a creative masterclass from the cast and crew to ensure continuity for the character of Kelsey Peters, who was focused on her career and not a pregnancy storyline. The result is a fascinating look at the magic of television production and how a major life event for a star is seamlessly woven around the narrative.

Hilary Duff: Quick Biography and Profile

Hilary Duff is a multi-talented American actress, singer, songwriter, and businesswoman who first rose to global fame as a teen idol. Her career spans decades, transitioning successfully from Disney star to a respected television and film actress.

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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)
• Previous Spouse: Mike Comrie (m. 2010; div. 2016)
• Children:
  • Luca Cruz Comrie (with Mike Comrie)
  • Banks Violet Bair (with Matthew Koma)
  • Mae James Bair (with Matthew Koma)
• Notable Roles: Lizzie McGuire (Lizzie McGuire), Sam Montgomery (A Cinderella Story), Kelsey Peters (Younger), Sophie (How I Met Your Father).
• Music Career: Known for albums like Metamorphosis, Hilary Duff, and Dignity.
• Role in Younger: Kelsey Peters, an ambitious young editor at Empirical Publishing/Millennial Print.
• Pregnancy During Younger: She was pregnant during both Season 5 (with Banks) and the final Season 7 (with Mae).

The Timing: Hilary Duff's Pregnancy Timeline and Younger Season 7 Filming

The overlap between Hilary Duff's personal life and the production schedule for the final season of Younger created a tight window for filming. The production team had to work quickly and strategically to capture Kelsey Peters' scenes before the pregnancy progressed too far.

Duff announced her pregnancy with her third child, Mae James Bair, in October 2020. The filming of Younger Season 7 was taking place around this time, following delays due to the global pandemic. This meant that a significant portion of the final season was filmed while the actress was in her first and second trimesters. Her daughter, Mae, was born in March 2021, just a month before the final season premiered on Paramount+ in April 2021.

This timeline confirms that the cast and crew were under immense pressure to complete the series finale while accommodating the star's pregnancy. The creative solutions deployed were not just about hiding a bump; they were about successfully wrapping up the complex storylines of Kelsey Peters, Liza Miller, and the entire Empirical team under extraordinary circumstances. The challenge was compounded by the fact that this was the second time Duff had been pregnant while playing Kelsey Peters, having also concealed a pregnancy during Season 5.

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7 Ingenious Methods Used to Conceal the Baby Bump

The production team, including the costume department, directors, and camera operators, became masters of misdirection to ensure Kelsey Peters' scenes remained consistent and believable. The goal was to keep the focus on Kelsey’s professional arc—her new venture, the rise of Millennial Print, and her complicated relationship with Zane—rather than a surprise pregnancy storyline.

Here are the seven most clever techniques the Younger production employed to hide Hilary Duff's pregnancy during Season 7:

1. Strategic Wardrobe Choices

The costume department was arguably the biggest hero in this scenario. They moved away from the sleek, form-fitting dresses Kelsey was known for and leaned heavily into:

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• Oversized and Structured Blazers: These pieces created a boxier silhouette, effectively concealing the midsection.
• A-Line and Empire Waist Dresses: These styles skim over the stomach rather than clinging to it.
• Layering: Long coats, scarves, and chunky knits were frequently used, adding bulk in non-maternity ways.

2. The Prop Master's Best Friend

In many scenes, Kelsey Peters is strategically placed behind large, everyday set pieces. Look closely and you’ll notice her:

• Holding large handbags or briefcases.
• Standing behind large stacks of books or manuscripts at the Empirical offices.
• Carrying large coffee mugs or oversized folders.

3. The 'Sit-Down' Scenes

When possible, the writers and directors favored scenes where Kelsey was seated at a desk, a conference table, or a restaurant booth. This naturally hides the lower half of the body from the camera's view, a classic television trick.

4. The Camera Angle Shift

The camera work was meticulously planned. Directors frequently used:

• Close-ups and Medium Shots: Focusing the frame on Hilary Duff's face and upper body, cutting off the midsection.
• High Angles: Shooting from slightly above the actress, which can be more flattering and less revealing.
• Blocking: Positioning other cast members, like Sutton Foster (Liza Miller) or Nico Tortorella (Josh), to stand slightly in front of Duff.

5. Limited Screen Time and Early Episodes

Sources suggest that the first four episodes of Season 7 were filmed before Duff's baby bump became significantly noticeable. For the later episodes, her screen time was likely managed to be more efficient, focusing on key plot points while minimizing the need for full-body shots.

6. The Use of Stunt Doubles (for specific shots)

While not confirmed for extensive use, for quick, non-dialogue shots that required movement or specific angles where the concealment was impossible, a body double may have been used to maintain the illusion of the non-pregnant Kelsey Peters.

7. Creative Editing

The post-production team played a crucial role. Through clever editing, shots that might have revealed the secret were either cut entirely or quickly transitioned. This seamless flow of scenes ensured that the audience remained immersed in Kelsey's storyline without distraction.

The fact that Hilary Duff successfully filmed a major arc for the final season of a beloved series while pregnant is a testament to her professionalism and the dedication of the entire Younger production team. It’s a compelling piece of television trivia that adds an extra layer of appreciation for the final chapter of Kelsey Peters' journey.