Josh Duhamel‘s still got some straightening out to do.
As a matter of fact, the Transformers alum admittedly had to learn a lot about himself following his 2019 divorce from Fergie, with whom he shares 11-year-old son Axl. And the most important lesson, he told Parade in an interview published April 10, is that he’s still a “work in progress.”
But that doesn’t mean Josh has bad blood with the “Big Girls Don’t Cry” singer. As the 52-year-old put it, there’s “very little conflict” between himself and Fergie, 50, as co-parents.
So, why did they break up in the first place?
“We both agree that we’re just very different,” he shared in a 2023 appearance on In Depth with Graham Bensinger, explaining that he never “got comfortable” with the spotlight. “It was just a lot. I missed the simplicity of who I really am.”
That’s why Josh—who is also dad to 15-month-old son Shepherd with wife Audra Mari—moved his family out of Hollywood.
“Part of the reason I built my place out in Minnesota, deep in the woods, is it’s removed from everything,” he told Parade. “The closest store is 40 miles away. Once we get there, it’s really about everybody taking care of each other— making memories, spending time with family and friends.”
The Shotgun Wedding actor continued, “You really get a chance to get back to the basics. You’re not consumed by all these other distractions. When you’re out there, it’s really about having fun, making sure everybody’s warm, everybody’s got food and water.”
His and Fergie’s son Axl has also taken a liking to the woods. As Josh noted to the magazine, “He’s not on his iPad when he’s out there. He’s out there in the boat with me, or he’s playing soccer on the beach, or he’s out there in the woods doing whatever I’m doing.”
“And then I have a little baby who’s going to experience the same thing,” he added. “It’s not just about having all the amenities and all the luxuries that we become so used to. It’s really about family. It’s about legacy.”
To see Axl through the years, keep reading…
Family Photo
Fergie and Josh Duhamel snapped a photo with son Axl Jack Duhamel while attending a Pandora Summer Crush event in Los Angeles in 2016.
Red Carpet Moment
Axl joined mom Fergie—born Stacy Ann Ferguson—for another public outing in 2017, stepping out at a SiriusXM Studios event in New York.
Ahoy!
Fergie and Axl snapped a selfie at a pirate party when he was 4 years old.
Play Ball
Fergie and Josh took their son to the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Boston Red Sox in 2016.
Keep on Truckin’
The father-son duo had some fun at the Monster Jam Celebrity Event in 2018.
Ready to Rumble
Josh and Axl get silly at the red carpet premiere of The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part in 2019.
Cheesin’
Josh wished his son a happy 6th birthday in 2019, writing, “Never a dull moment with this kid. Happy Birthday, Axl Jack!”
Adventure Awaits
The All My Children actor added an outdoorsy photo to the birthday tribute, showing the pair making a splash during a lake trip.
Three Generations
Axl bonded with his grandfather Jon Patrick Ferguson in July 2020, when Fergie wrote, “Happy 73rd birthday dad!! We love you so much.”
Out of This World
“Happy 7th Birthday #AxlJack,” the musician wrote in 2020. “You are my world.”
Birthday Boy
Her birthday post to her son also unveiled a sweet snap of him flashing a smile during a boat outing.
Twinning
“I am so grateful to be your mommy Axl Jack,” the “Big Girls Don’t Cry” singer captioned this photo of their Burberry matching moment in May 2023.
Father and Son
“To my buddy boy…you bring my life a lot of joy,” Josh wrote on Instagram on Father’s Day 2023. “Love you kid.”
All Grown Up
Fergie marked Axl’s 10th birthday in August 2023 with a series of photos of her boy, including this silly shot.
Just Vibes
“To my caring, funny, outgoing, loving, smart, talkative, creative super hero enthusiast,” she wrote in her birthday tribute. “Happy 10th birthday punky!!! I love you Axl Jack.”
Big Brother
Axl became a big brother in January 2024, when Josh welcomed baby boy Shepherd with wife Audra Mari.
Jump Around
As an avid soccer fan, Axl rang in his 11th birthday in 2024 while wearing his favorite jersey.
“It is so fun watching you grow in every phase of your life,” Fergie wrote on Insrtagram. “No matter what jersey you’re wearing I’ll always be your biggest cheerleader for anything you want to do in life. I love you beyond word.”
