Robyn Lawley Opens Up About Her Unexpected Pregnancy, Body Image, and Career
Supermodel Robyn Lawley shares her honest journey through unexpected pregnancy, body image struggles, and redefining career priorities.

Robyn Lawley: Model, Mother, and Advocate for Body Positivity
Robyn Lawley is one of the most iconic models to challenge traditional ideas in the fashion industry. Not only did she become the first so-called “plus-size” face for internationally recognized brands like Ralph Lauren, Chantelle Lingerie, and Pantene Australia, but she also brought powerful conversations about body image, career, and motherhood into the public spotlight.
Her Candid Journey Through an Unexpected Pregnancy
At age 25, Robyn Lawley discovered she was pregnant with her first child. The news was unexpected, and it set in motion a period of both personal reflection and public conversation.
- Lawley’s pregnancy was unplanned, coming at a time when she was focused on her rising modeling career and other creative projects, including her cookbook.
- Despite not planning for a baby, she was excited and saw the timing as somewhat serendipitous, given her and her partner’s healthy lifestyle changes leading up to the discovery.
- She later clarified that, while unplanned pregnancies can be challenging, she and her partner, Everest Schmidt, had always known they wanted children together. Deciding if 25 was the right age was the final question she had to answer for herself.
Robyn openly discussed the complexities she faced: the initial shock, considerations about her career, and her internal debates on what motherhood would mean for her life.
Facing Tough Decisions: Considering Options
With a career spanning over a decade, Robyn Lawley had been living at a breakneck pace—traveling, working for A-list brands, and trying to find balance among her many passions. She did not shy away from admitting that she considered all her options upon learning of her pregnancy, including the possibility of abortion.
- Lawley spoke about how career-driven women often face anxiety about motherhood, given the professional sacrifices and societal expectations it entails.
- Part of her concern was about slowing down a flourishing career—she wanted to shift her focus toward designing and cooking, while maintaining select high-profile modeling contracts.
- She described the process as emotionally taxing and emphasized how such decisions are complex and deeply personal for everyone involved.
Confronting Workplace Realities
One of Robyn’s most nerve-wracking experiences was announcing her pregnancy to her agency. Like many women, she worried about the ramifications of such news in a competitive industry.
- She found support from her agency but still had to keep her pregnancy hidden from several clients for months, even as she continued to work on location and in demanding photo shoots.
- The physical challenges were compounded by industry expectations—any deviation from her typical work ethic was at risk of being labeled as ‘diva’ behavior.
- This secrecy took a physical and emotional toll as she navigated modeling responsibilities while managing the symptoms of pregnancy.
Living in the Public Eye: Media Scrutiny and Body Shaming
As her pregnancy progressed—and later, after giving birth—Robyn Lawley became the target of intense tabloid scrutiny. She faced criticism unprecedented in its cruelty: media outlets speculated on why she considered abortion, even suggesting that concerns about stretch marks motivated her decision, which Lawley categorically denied.
- Lawley addressed the pressure placed upon women’s bodies, especially in the modeling world, highlighting the tension between professional expectations and personal health.
- She criticized the media’s focus on stretch marks and post-pregnancy bodies, arguing that it perpetuates unrealistic and harmful beauty standards.
- Lawley responded by sharing an empowering message: women who have given birth are warriors, and their bodies, including stretch marks, deserve celebration rather than shame.
To reclaim her narrative, she posted a raw photo of her own post-pregnancy stretch marks on social media, referring to them as her earned “tiger stripes.” This act sparked a flood of support and ignited important conversations about self-acceptance and body positivity.
Robyn Lawley’s Perspective | Media’s Portrayal |
---|---|
Celebrates body changes as marks of motherhood and strength. | Often fixates on appearance and speculates about superficial motives. |
Encourages women to embrace their bodies after childbirth. | Contributes to anxiety and shame around post-baby bodies. |
Advocates for women’s autonomy in their choices, including abortion. | Can misrepresent or sensationalize deeply personal decisions. |
A Message for Women Everywhere
Lawley took the opportunity to draw attention to broader issues affecting women. She spoke passionately about body autonomy, criticizing laws and attitudes that limit women’s choices about their bodies—whether regarding abortion or self-presentation.
- She noted that many women worldwide face barriers to accessing safe abortion, a crucial issue often overlooked in frivolous media coverage.
- Lawley called for solidarity, encouraging women to reject body shaming discourse and prioritize self-worth that is based not on appearance, but on strength and character.
- Her closing message: “F**k them, who cares, be you, be loud, be proud—and put your efforts into skills that rely more on your physical self.”
Motherhood and Returning to the Spotlight
One question Lawley faced repeatedly was how she planned to return to work after giving birth. As a lingerie model, concerns about stretch marks and her changing body were at the forefront—both for her personally and for those watching her career.
- Robyn wanted to return to modeling soon after her baby was born but was honest about her fears: if she did get stretch marks, they might fade to white over time, but as a lingerie model, she knew the impact would be visible in her industry.
- She challenged the idea that visible signs of motherhood are incompatible with a modeling career, insisting that they are instead signs of strength and accomplishment.
Despite professional pressures, Lawley’s ultimate stance was clear: the value of women should not be measured by their ability to conform to industry- or media-set standards, but by their full humanity—including their journeys through motherhood.
How the Modeling Industry Handles Motherhood
Robyn Lawley’s experience is not unique among working women—especially in high-pressure, appearance-focused industries. Her story highlights both progress and ongoing challenges for women who balance work and family life.
- Her agency responded supportively to her pregnancy but the need for secrecy and careful client management revealed lingering workplace anxieties.
- Lawley’s openness has contributed to larger conversations about how the fashion and beauty industries treat pregnancy, motherhood, and post-partum bodies.
- She emphasized the importance of planning and deep desire in choosing to have children—but also asserted that support and understanding for all women, in all circumstances, should be the norm, not the exception.
Takeaways for Women in Competitive Fields
- Women continue to face unfair scrutiny and career risks due to pregnancy announcements.
- Lawley’s story encourages authenticity and openness, urging women to make the best decision for their lives, not just their careers.
- Advocating for work environments that are genuinely supportive of motherhood and personal circumstance remains an important goal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Was Robyn Lawley’s pregnancy planned?
A: No, Robyn Lawley’s first pregnancy was not planned. She described it as unexpected but welcomed the experience, noting that she and her partner had always intended to have children together at some point.
Q: Did Robyn Lawley consider not having the baby?
A: Yes, Lawley considered all her options, including abortion, as she deliberated how motherhood would affect her career and personal life. She described the decision as emotionally difficult, representative of the choices many women face.
Q: How did the modeling industry respond to her pregnancy?
A: Lawley’s agency was ultimately supportive, but she kept her pregnancy private from many clients for several months while continuing to work. This secrecy was driven by concerns over job security and industry perceptions.
Q: What is Robyn Lawley’s view on body image and stretch marks?
A: Robyn Lawley is a strong advocate for body positivity. She embraces her stretch marks as symbols of strength, rejects unrealistic beauty standards, and encourages all women to celebrate their bodies—especially after childbirth.
Q: How has she dealt with negative media attention?
A: Lawley addressed negative tabloid stories head-on, sharing her experiences on social media, publicly celebrating her body changes, and advocating for a shift in how society values and discusses women’s bodies.
Empowering Women: Lessons from Robyn Lawley’s Story
- Honesty matters: By sharing her uncertainties, fears, and triumphs, Robyn Lawley helped demystify the challenges women face in reconciling career ambitions with motherhood.
- Body positivity is transformative: Lawley’s willingness to showcase her post-partum body redefined what it means to be a model and mother in the public eye.
- Advocacy for choice: Her perspectives on abortion and autonomy resonate globally, especially where women’s options remain constrained.
- Changing industry standards: Her career has paved the way for conversations about how media, fashion, and society value women’s bodies and experiences beyond surface appearances.
Conclusion: Lessons for All
Robyn Lawley’s story is defined not just by her groundbreaking achievements in modeling, but by her willingness to be vulnerable and outspoken about life’s complexities. Her candid reflections on pregnancy, work, and body image have given a powerful voice to issues that touch women everywhere. She reminds all of us that triumph isn’t found in perfection, but in the courage to own every part of one’s journey—unexpected twists, stretch marks, and all.
References
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/news/a33914/robyn-lawley-pregnancy/
- https://www.mic.com/articles/127232/plus-size-model-robyn-lawley-has-an-inspiring-message-about-criticizing-women-s-bodies
- https://www.bustle.com/articles/52460-robyn-lawley-talks-her-unexpected-pregnancy-in-an-interview-with-cosmo-and-its-incredibly-inspiring
- https://www.elle.com.au/life/health-wellness/robyn-lawley-body-shamers-7259/
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/news/a37181/robyn-lawley-gives-birth/
- https://www.the-independent.com/news/people/robyn-lawley-australian-model-celebrates-her-stretch-marks-after-claims-she-considered-an-abortion-to-avoid-them-a6705836.html
- https://fashionista.com/2014/12/robyn-lawley-pregnancy-jessica-hart-elevator
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