Years after facing scrutiny over her heritage and accent, Hilaria Baldwin, wife of actor Alec Baldwin, is opening up about the experience on the family's upcoming TLC reality series, "The Baldwins." The 41-year-old yoga instructor and mother of seven addressed the 2020 controversy surrounding her background and fluctuating accent, emphasizing her love for both English and Spanish and the normalcy of blending the two languages.
Hilaria expressed that the past controversy was painful and acknowledged the impact it had on her mental well-being. However, she found support in her family, friends, and multilingual community, who validated her experience of belonging to multiple cultural backgrounds. She believes this multicultural upbringing naturally influences her speech patterns and word choices.
A key aspect of Hilaria's narrative is her commitment to raising her children bilingually, mirroring her own upbringing. She expressed her belief in the value of speaking multiple languages and desires to instill that pride in her children. Hilaria and Alec share seven children, and she emphasized the importance of connecting them with their extended family in Spain.
The 2020 controversy stemmed from online discussions about Hilaria's background, revealing her birth name as Hillary Lynn Hayward-Thomas and her birthplace as Boston, Massachusetts. This led to accusations of misrepresenting her origins and exaggerating her connection to Spanish culture. Hilaria subsequently clarified her background in a social media post, explaining her bicultural upbringing split between Boston and Spain. She acknowledged that she could have been clearer about her background and expressed regret for any confusion caused.
Regarding her accent, Hilaria attributed its variations to the language she predominantly speaks at any given time, a tendency she's always felt insecure about. She reiterated that her accent is genuine and not fabricated. Hilaria identifies as a white American with mixed heritage and expressed frustration with the pressure to choose a single cultural label. In a subsequent apology on Instagram, she expressed pride in her bicultural upbringing and affirmed her commitment to raising her children with the same values.
"The Baldwins" premieres on TLC on February 23rd and offers a glimpse into the family's life, promising further insights into Hilaria and Alec's perspectives on this and other personal matters.
