Ricki Maynard is clearing the air.
Three weeks after announcing she was expecting her first baby, the pregnant daughter of Emily Maynard Johnson and her late fiancé Ricky Hendrick set the record straight on rumors circulating about the father of her child.
In a Sept. 11 Instagram Story, Ricki shared a photo of her with her best friend Payton Pauls to get a temperature check on whether her followers would be interested in the duo making a podcast.
“Me and my best friend @paytonpauls (as many of you have already stalked),” she wrote atop the image, “have talked about trying to do a SINGULAR podcast episode to see if we enjoy it.”
And the 20-year-old used the opportunity to shut down speculation that Payton was also the father of her baby, adding in her Q&A widget, “What would you want us to talk about? HES NOT THE FATHER OF MY CHILD.”
And while Ricki didn’t disclose the name of her baby’s dad, she did make it clear why she had to clarify Payton’s role in her life in a separate post, where she shared a screenshot of one user messaging her to ask if he was the “baby’s daddy.”
“This is why I was saying this,” she wrote atop the screenshot on her Instagram Stories. “NO HE IS NOT PLEASE STOP ASKING!”
In fact, Ricki provided insight into her longtime friendship with Payton, adding, “He’s been one of my closest friends since 3rd grade, we have very different types.”
Ricki announced her pregancy back in August by showing off the ultrasound photo she had as her phone’s lock screen in an Instagram video.
And as she’s embarked on her pregnancy journey since then, Payton hasn’t been the only loved one by her side. Her mom Emily has also proved she’ll be a shoulder to lean on as her daughter takes on motherhood.
After all, in a video shared to Instagram Sept. 11, Ricki panned over a gift the Bachelorette alum got her in anticipation of the family’s new addition, which included a wicker bassinet, a gift bag of baby goodies and more shopping bags filled with clothes.
“My mom is truthfully so devastated, she’s so upset,” Ricki said over the clip, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “She’s not excited at all for me to have a baby. She’s pissed, actually. She’s super angry. She can’t even look at me. She doesn’t support it at all.”
For more stars growing their families this year, keep reading.
Carlin Bates & Evan Stewart
The Bringing Up Bates couple brought home their third baby, a girl. As Carlin wrote on Instagram Sept. 10, “The world just got a little softer.”
Saoirse Ronan & Jack Lowden
The pair debuted their first baby during a walk in London in September.
Karlie Kloss & Joshua Kushner
The supermodel and her husband welcomed their third baby, a baby girl, on Sept. 18.
Joshua shared the news on social media Sept. 20 with an adorable photo of the newborn swaddled in a striped blanket and wearing a pink hat.
And in the Instagram caption, he revealed their baby girl’s name by writing, “Rae Florence 9.18.2025.”
Erin Bates & Chad Paine
The Bringing Up Bates star and her husband Chad Paine welcomed their seventh child—a son named Henry—on Aug. 25. However, Erin was soon admitted into the ICU for childbirth complications.
“Labor was longer and more intense than previous births,” Chad shared on Instagram Sept. 1. “Erin developed a severe UTI and kidney infection, which sent her into septic shock.”
Riley Keough & Ben Smith-Peterson
Priscilla Presley, who was married to Elvis Presley for six years until their 1973 divorce, revealed that her granddaughter and her husband privately welcomed their second baby.
“That’s what makes me happy,” Priscilla told People of her flourishing family in an interview published Sept. 17, “knowing everyone is doing well.”
Millie Bobby Brown & Jake Bongiovi
The Stranger Things star and son of Jon Bon Jovi revealed they welcomed their first baby one year after getting married.
“This summer, we welcomed our sweet baby girl through adoption,” the couple wrote in an Aug. 21 Instagram post. “We are beyond excited to embark on this beautiful next chapter of parenthood in both peace and privacy.”
They concluded, “And then there were 3.”
Nell Hudson & Max King
On Aug. 6, the Outlander alum announced that she gave birth to her and her producer husband’s first baby, a daughter.
Miguel & Margaret Zhang
The “Sure Thing” singer shared that he and his partner privately welcomed their first baby in 2024 in a tribute post for the little one’s first birthday.
“Our baby turned 1 today,” Miguel wrote on Instagram Sept. 9 alongside a video of him and his baby, whose face is blurred out. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANGELITO!!!”
“We love you so much,” he continued. “So proud and honored that you chose us to be your parents. Papá wrote you a song—hope it always reminds you of how loved you are.”
Thomas Kail & Michelle Williams
In August, the Dawson’s Creek alum confirmed she is now the mom to “three under 5,” with husband Thomas Kail on top of her teenager Matilda she shares with the late Heath Ledger.
“This last baby did not come through my body,” Michelle joked of welcoming her latest bundle of joy via surrogate during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! “but the miracle of our little girl is thanks to Christine.”
Calvin Harris & Vick Hope
The DJ and the British radio personality welcomed their first baby together, a boy named Micah, on July 20.
“My wife is a superhero and I am in complete awe of her primal wisdom,” Calvin wrote on Instagram Aug. 4. “Just so grateful. We love you so much Micah.”
Lele Pons & Guaynaa
The influencer and the rapper welcomed their first baby together, a girl named Eloísa, on July 26.
Trisha Paytas & Moses Hacmon
The YouTuber announced that she and her husband welcomed their third and “final” baby on July 12.
She also unveiled their son’s super powerful name—Aquaman Moses Paytas-Hacmon—by revealing a bedazzled T-shirt of the DC comic book character.
Wilmer Valderrama & Amanda Pacheco
The NCIS star and his fiancée welcomed their second child, a baby boy, who joined his big sister Nakano Oceana.
“Wolf Monte Valderrama,” the pair wrote on Instagram July 20. “7/11/2025.”
Jen Affleck & Zac Affleck
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star gave birth to her third child, a baby girl named Penelope, after going into labor at her nail appointment in July.
“Baby Penelope is here,” Jen—who also shares Nora and Lucas with husband Zac Affleck— captioned her Instagram post on July 2. “She is perfect.”
Tim Tebow & Demi-Leigh Tebow
The retired NFL quarterback and former Miss Universe shared that they welcomed their first baby, a little girl, on July 6, writing on Instagram, “We couldn’t be more grateful for the blessing and gift of this new little life.”
Sanya Richards-Ross & Aaron Ross
The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum—who shares Aaron “Deuce” and Asani with Aaron— announced July 2 that she had welcomed her and the former NFL player’s third baby boy.
Madison LeCroy & Brett Randle
The Southern Charm star and her husband welcomed their first child together, a daughter named Teddi—in honor of Madison’s father Ted LeCroy—in June.
The exciting news came after the Madison—who shares son Hudson with ex John Hughes—announced her pregnancy in a smiling Feb. 6 Instagram photo.
“Obviously, the main thing is just a healthy baby overall, girl or boy,” Madison told E! News in February. “I have a feeling that I’m gonna have to make sure that Brett gets both, but he’s happy either way. We all know that I’m already a boy mom, so of course I wanted to be a girl mom as well.”
Triston Harper & Paris Reed
At 17 years old, the American Idol alum became a dad in June when he and his wife welcomed daughter Brenley Lichelle Harper.
Gael Cameron & Nathan Gallagher
The Below Deck Mediterranean stars welcomed their first child together, proudly announcing their baby boy’s arrival in a June 24 Instagram post simply captioned, “Welcome to the world, my love.”
The couple shared they were expecting in April. “The moments our hearts grew even bigger…Our little boy,” Gael captioned the reveal. “We can’t wait to share our world, our laughter, and all of life’s wild adventures with you. Our greatest journey yet is just beginning.”
Coi Leray & Trippie Redd
The “Twinnem” rapper welcomed her first child, a baby girl, with ex Trippie Redd. Coi shared the news with a glimpse of her daughter on her Instagram story June 16.
Kate Upton & Justin Verlander
The Sports Illlustrated Swimsuit model and the MLB star welcomed baby No. 2—a boy named Bellamy Brooks Verlander—in June.
The pair are also parents to daughter Genevieve.
Nia Sanchez & Danny Booko
The Valley stars welcomed their fourth baby a daughter named Adelaide, on June 5. The pair announced their daughter’s birth with an Instagram carousel of pictures and videos of their newest addition.
“Sweet little memories from Adelaide’s first moments of life,” Nia captioned her Instagram post. “We are absolutely in love!”
MacKenzie McKee & Khesanio Hall
The Teen Mom star welcomed twin girls with her fiancé on June 2, one year after their engagement.
Lauren Alaina & Cam Arnold
The American Idol alum shared she and husband welcomed their first baby, a girl named Beni,on June 11.
Kristen Doute & Luke Broderick
The Vanderpump Rules star expressed feeling “lucky” after welcoming baby Kaia Lily with her fiancé in June.
Cassie Ventura & Alex Fine
The “Long Way 2 Go” singer gave birth to a baby boy on May 27, her third baby with husband Alex Fine.
The news of the couple’s newest arrival came three months after they announced her pregnancy on Instagram on February 19. Cassie posted a carousel of family photos with her and Alex’s daughters Frankie and Sunny alongside the caption “#3.”
Sam Hunt & Hannah Lee Fowler
The “Body Like A Back Road” singer and his wife, Hannah Lee Fowler, welcomed their third baby, a son named Wayman Allen Hunt on May 21.
The couple are also parents to Lucy Louise and Lowry Lee.
Jesy Nelson & Zion Foster
The Little Mix alum and her boyfriend Zion Foster welcomed identical twin girls, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe in May.
“So…Our beautiful baby girls decided to come at 31 weeks plus 5 days,” Jesy captioned an Instagram post of her and Zion with their baby girls. “It all happened so quickly, but we are so blessed that they are here with us, healthy and fighting strong! We’ve never felt more in love.”
Amber Heard
The Aquaman actress announced on Instagram May 11, Mother’s Day 2025, that she has welcomed twins, daughter Agnes and son Ocean, who join big sister Oonagh.
Katie Kimmel & Will Logsdon
Jimmy Kimmel announced during the May 20 episode of his late night show that his daughter Katie Kimmel and her husband Will Logsdon welcomed a baby girl, Patti Joan.
