Caitriona Balfe Doesn’t Want ‘Outlander’ ‘Crazies’ to Talk About Her Son
Outlander star Caitriona Balfe likes to keep her personal life private for a myriad of reasons. But when talking about her young son, Balfe admitted she avoids exposing him in fear of the show’s wild fans.
The ‘Outlander’ star welcomed a baby boy in 2021
Balfe married her longtime boyfriend, Tony McGill, in August 2019. And a year later, the star announced that the couple welcomed a baby boy.
“I’ve been off socials for a while as I was taking some time to enjoy cooking up this little human,” Balfe wrote in an Instagram post. “We are so grateful for this little soul ….that he chose us as his parents.”
“I’m in awe of him already and can’t help stare and wonder at all the possibilities of who he will become, where he will go and what he’ll do on the big adventure of his life,” the Outlander star added. “Right now he seems so small and fragile and I constantly think how grateful I am that I live in a place, in a time where he is born into peace and safety.”
Balfe’s baby announcement came as a surprise to many, as the actor didn’t advertise her pregnancy. But in a recent chat with Vanity Fair, she revealed that her close circle of family, friends, and colleagues knew.
“I’m a very open person,” Balfe told the outlet. “It’s not like I was hiding my pregnancy. Everybody at work knew. All of my friends knew. Anyone I came into contact with in my life knew. But in terms of putting that out there, I don’t see the value in that. I think there’s certain things that are nice to have for yourself.”
Caitriona Balfe keeps her son off social media to avoid the ‘crazies’
The birth announcement is the only photo Balfe has shared of her son. And she’s keeping him out of the spotlight because of overzealous Outlander fans.
“When you have a kid, you become really protective,” Balfe told Vanity Fair. “I don’t want those crazies — because that’s what they are — I just don’t want them talking about him.”
“It’s sad, because you meet the loveliest people who are fans of the show and they’re super supportive and they do the nicest things,” she added. “And then you have that little thing, which just taints it.”
Caitriona Balfe’s ‘Outlander’ co-star Sam Heughan also spoke up against wild fans
Balfe isn’t the only one worried about wild fans. In April 2020, her Outlander co-star Sam Heughan revealed how much fan harassment he’s faced over the years.
“After the past 6 years of constant bullying, harassment, stalking, and false narrative I am at a loss, upset, hurt, and have to speak out,” Heughan tweeted. “It’s affecting my life, mental state and is a daily concern. My costars, friends, family, myself, in fact, anyone I’m associated with, has been subjected to personal slurs, shaming, abuse, death threats, stalking, sharing of private information, and vile, false narrative.”
Soon after Heughan shared the message, Balfe took to Twitter to offer her support and slam those who harass them.
“Sad that Sam has had to come out and say all this,” Balfe tweeted. “But unfortunately, a VERY SMALL but very vocal part of this fandom use their energy to write and say awful untrue things.”
“Maybe they should harness all that energy to get involved in their local charities,” she continued. “And honestly it’s quite simple … If you don’t like us… it’s a big beautiful world out there. Find something you do love and enjoy that. Life, as it’s all too clear right now, is short. Why waste it hating.”
