Charlie McDowell Defends wife Lily Collins Against Surrogacy Criticism: "It’s OK to Not Be an Expert"
Filmmaker Charlie McDowell has spoken out in defense of his wife, Emily in Paris star Lily Collins, after some social media users criticized the couple’s decision to welcome their daughter, Tove Jane McDowell, via surrogacy.

After Collins announced the birth of their first child in a heartfelt Instagram post on February 1st, most fans and celebrities flooded the comments with messages of love and congratulations. However, a handful of negative comments surfaced, questioning why Collins opted for surrogacy instead of carrying the baby herself.

McDowell, 40, addressed the backlash with a classy yet firm response, emphasizing the importance of compassion and understanding.

"Thank you for all the kind messages and love. We are overjoyed and very grateful. In regards to the unkind messages about surrogacy and our path to having a baby—it’s ok to not be an expert on surrogacy. It’s ok to not know why someone might need a surrogate to have a child. It’s ok to not know the motivations of a surrogate regardless of what you assume. And it’s ok to spend less time spewing hateful words into the world, especially in regards to a beautiful baby girl who has brought a lot of love into people’s lives," he wrote.

Ending his response on a humorous note, McDowell added, "That’s all for now because she just pooped and I need to change her diaper."

His comment quickly gained attention, with many fans praising him for handling the negativity with grace and perspective.

Collins, 34, has not personally addressed the criticism, but her post announcing baby Tove’s arrival radiated gratitude. "Words will never express our endless gratitude for our incredible surrogate and everyone who helped us along the way," she wrote.

The couple, who married in 2021, have kept much of their personal life private but have now found themselves at the center of an ongoing conversation about surrogacy and parenthood.

While the reason behind Collins’ surrogacy journey remains undisclosed, McDowell’s response serves as a reminder that family-building choices are deeply personal—and that kindness always goes a long way.