Vanessa Kirby is all set to shine in her Marvel Cinematic Universe debut as Sue Storm in ‘Fantastic Four: The First Steps’. While promoting the movie, she shared an interesting story about wearing a fake baby bump on set. Surprisingly, Vanessa revealed that carrying the baby bump for filming felt tougher than a real pregnancy. This candid insight connects with anyone who’s felt the weight of pregnancy, real or imagined, and highlights the physical challenges it brings.
Fantastic Four’s Vanessa Kirby on Carrying the Baby Bump
Being fake-pregnant helped Vanessa Kirby prepare for her journey with real pregnancy pic.twitter.com/3pH7sL8pAS
Vanessa Kirby is pregnant with her first child, and her partner is Paul Rabil. He is a former professional lacrosse player and Premier Lacrosse League co-founder. They have been in a relationship since around 2022 and went public with their romance in 2023. Before her real pregnancy, Vanessa Kirby tried out a fake baby bump while filming the MCU movie. She thought the original foam belly felt too light and not quite like a real stomach. So, she asked her costume handler to add weight using rice packets.
The result? The bump got so heavy that Vanessa ended up with a bad backache. During the shoot, the costume team even suggested she remove some rice to ease the load. Now, as her own pregnancy progresses, Vanessa says her actual baby bump feels much lighter than that heavy, rice-filled fake belly. “I gave myself backache for no reason at all,” she joked on Late Night With Seth Meyers.
ALSO READ: How to Care For Your Baby Bump?: Expert Responds To Common Queries During Pregnancy
Tips to Ease the Load During Pregnancy (and Beyond)![2 - 2025-07-25T113131.777]( "Fantastic Four’s Vanessa Kirby pregnancy")
Whether you’re pregnant or just carrying some extra weight, managing backache and discomfort is key. Here are some simple, effective tips to help ease the load:
- Support Your Back: Use maternity belts or belly support bands. These help take some of the weight off your lower back and improve posture.
- Choose Comfortable Footwear: Flat, supportive shoes reduce strain on your back by keeping your body balanced.
- Practice Good Posture: Keep your shoulders back and avoid slouching to minimise pressure on your spine.
- Lift Carefully: When picking up objects, bend your knees and avoid twisting your body to prevent extra strain.
- Exercise Gently: Low-impact activities like walking or prenatal yoga can strengthen your back muscles and reduce pain.
- Use Heat or Cold Therapy: Warm compresses or cold packs can provide relief when back pain flares up.
- Rest Wisely: Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees to support your pelvis and spine.
- Stretch Regularly: Gentle stretches help loosen tight muscles around your back and hips.
Why These Tips Matter![]()
Vanessa Kirby’s experience is a reminder of how heavy carrying a bump, real or fake, really is. The extra weight shifts your centre of gravity and puts pressure on your back. Using these tips can help reduce discomfort and make day-to-day life easier for anyone carrying an extra load upfront.
ALSO READ: Is It Possible To Be Pregnant Without a Baby Bump? Myth vs Fact
Conclusion
Whether you’re expecting a baby or just want to avoid back pain, it’s important to listen to your body. Supporting your back, choosing smart footwear, and staying active can make a huge difference. Vanessa’s story shows that even the weight of a fake bump can be a challenge. So, taking simple, caring steps can help you feel better, move more easily, and enjoy your day with less pain.