Brenda Songhas a real pride for Kieran Culkin.
The Disney Channel alum—who shares sons Dakota, 3, and Carson, 2, with fiancé Macaulay Culkin—expressed how proud she is of Kieran, after winning a Critics Choice Award and Golden Globe for his performance in A Real Pain.
“How could you not be?” Brenda exclusively told E! News Feb. 13 at the Los Angeles premiere of her Netflix series Running Point. “He’s such a brilliant actor. How can you not be proud?”
Gushing over the Oscar nominee, the 36-year-old added, “I’m so happy for him.”
Brenda also shared that despite Kieran’s sarcastic acceptance speeches over the years (he told fellow nominee Pedro Pascalto “suck it” after winning the 2024 Golden Globe for his role as Roman Roy in Succession), he is just as honored by the acknowledgement for his craft.
“All of his awards are displayed,” she continued. “That’s the thing about it, it’s all in jest. He has such an incredible sense of humor and it’s also self-deprecating humor and it’s wonderful.”
And amid the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Brenda—whose new series Running Pointpremieres on Netflix Feb. 27—knows that Kieran enjoys making light of the increased focus on what he views simply as work.
“At the end of the day, this is a job,” she explained. “This is crazy that we get to do this and that’s why he handles it the way he does, which is brilliant.”
As for how the Suite Life of Zack & Cody star is approaching her work as an actress? She is focusing on herself beyond her life as a mom to her and Macaulay’s toddlers thanks to Running Point costar Kate Hudson.
“Kate always says, ‘Don’t get lost in being a mom. You still have to be you,’” Brenda said. “She always pushes that with me, and I’m so grateful because it’s something that we forget. We’re working so hard to focus on our kids and you feel so much mom guilt when you take a second for yourself.”
She added, “To be the best mom, we have to be the best version of us. And Kate was really good about being like, ‘Hey, don’t worry about it. Let it go. It’ll be OK. Remember, you need to focus on you.”
Keep reading for more of a peek into Brenda and Macaulay’s life with their two little ones.
—Reporting by Nikki Novak
Go Rams
Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song were decked out in their favorite football team’s colors in 2024.
Date Night
The couple stepped out for a rare red carpet date at a Clarins product launch party in Los Angeles in March 2024.
Fun in Cabo
The couple celebrated Brenda’s 36th birthday in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in 2024.
Poolside Service
Macaulay purchased a resort tshirt and pretended to be a resort employee, offering Brenda a towel as she lounged poolside.
Bellhop
He also played bellhop and carried her bags, much to Brenda’s confusion and amusement.
Meet Dakota
The two appeared with their son Dakota at Macaulay’s star ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in December 2023.
Hi Baby
Macaulay and Brenda’s baby boy Carson also made an appearance at the ceremony.
Star Power
The couple were all smiles at the family event.
Trick or Treat
In 2023, the Home Alone star got into the spooky season spirit as Brenda passed out candy.
Black & White Style
The duo appeared at the GFS Fall Benefit in Santa Monica, Calif., in October 2023.
They’re Getting Hitched
In January 2022, a source confirmed to E! News that Brenda and Macaulay were engaged. The actress showed off her engagement ring while stepping out in Beverly Hills.
Heart Day
“Hoppy Valentine’s day everyone!” Brenda shared on Instagram in 2020, when celebrating with Macaulay in the water.
Take Me Away
While strolling through Friedrichshain in Berlin in 2018, the couple displayed some PDA by holding hands.
Proud Parents
In 2022, the couple celebrated their son Dakota’s first birthday with a visit to Sesame Place San Diego. Calling it a “magical” affair, Brenda wrote on her Instagram alongside a snap of herself and Macaulay posing with Elmo, “We had so much fun!”
Birthday Bash
“Happy 40th birthday to this magical being,” Brenda wrote to Macaulay on Instagram in 2020. “I could sit here and write endlessly about how wonderful, kind, loving, genuine, loyal, honest, brilliant and hilarious you are, and how grateful I am that I get to share and do this life thing with you. But firstly, that would take me an eternity and secondly, you won’t even see this because you don’t ever use instagram. Hahaha. My unicorn that I never thought could exist, I am luckiest person in the world because I am loved by you.”
Biggest Cheerleader
“Guys, I did a podcast with my favorite bunny—podcasters and just 2 of my favorite people,” Brenda shared online when supporting her boyfriend’s podcast back in April 2018. “@bunnyearspodcast aaaand the one and only @mattbennett!”
Do-Gooders
Uniting for good! The Hollywood couple attended the 2018 Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) telecast in Los Angeles.
