Why Lucy Liu Chose Gestational Surrogacy: It Was the ‘Best Solution for Me’

05/06/2016 at 08:45 PM ET
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Lucy Liu welcomed son Rockwell Lloyd via gestational surrogacy eight months ago, but the actress remembers it like it was yesterday.

“I cried when he came out,” Liu, 47, told PEOPLE while promoting Tylenol’s #HowWeFamily campaign on Wednesday.

“I think ‘How We Family’ is about how we as a modern family are connecting now. Whether it’s your gay parents and you’re doing it that way, or you have a child that’s transgender, it’s more about how you love.”

She adds, “I think that’s a really wonderful way to support non-traditional families and make what we are doing now what is tradition.”

Lucy Liu son Rockwell gestational surrogate
Courtesy Lucy Liu

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With a hectic schedule, the Elementary star knew she was destined to be a mom, even if she didn’t take the traditional route.

“It just seemed like the right option for me because I was working and I didn’t know when I was going to be able to stop,” Liu says of her decision to turn to gestational surrogacy. “I decided that was probably the best solution for me, and it turned out to be great.”

Lucy Liu son Rockwell gestational surrogate
Courtesy Lucy Liu

With her little one growing at a rapid pace, Liu admits that she is loving everything about motherhood.

“I didn’t realize how quickly babies progress,” she says. “Very basic things that you just take for granted. They’re just this little lump of flesh, and then all the sudden they’re turning around, they’re observing you and they’re smiling and they’re interacting. It’s a magical experience.”

At 8 months old, Rockwell already has a best friend: Apple, the family dog.

“She’s really gentle,” Liu explains of her chocolate lab. “She’s protective, too. She’ll sit between him and whoever else comes in just to make sure they don’t step on him. It’s really beautiful to see how they interact.”

— Mollie Cahillane

FILED UNDER: Babies , Lucy Liu , News , Parenting

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Showing 24 comments

Robin on

Aww, he’s a cutie.

carolyn on

Not a lot of other options at 47. Good for her. I think every woman should experience the love of being a Mom. It is more guaranteed than a loving marriage…And hey, i’m a traditionalist, with an open mind.

Hmm on

So he’s named Rockwell. And Lucy starred in Charlie’s Angels with Sam Rockwell. So is Sam the donor?

Ginger on

Beautiful little boy!

Callie on

Working, right…that’s her problem. It’s not like she has a husband or anything so let’s call a spade a spade! She didn’t have any other options, period. The baby is very cute though

guestie on

Yea, but who da babby daddy?

karen on

Why not be honest and say she was too old to be having a baby.

Shay on

If Janet Jackson can be pregnant at 49, Karen ^^^^, then Lucy at 47 is not too old to have a baby.

Sounds like she is loving being a Mom, wonderful. 😀

Narida on

Yay love the name, he is so adorable.

Ella on

I think a lot of people with some type of fertility issue, whether it be age, failed pregnancy or whatever, would choose this option if they had the money. It is a great option, but incredibly expensive. Estimates around 100,000 per child. Congratulations to her, many happy years with your son.

Tosha on

If u cant take the time out to birth a baby how will you have the time to successfully raise one?????

Omz on

Lucy’s son is a cutie pie!

Sonny on

Looks like she is a single mother.

Anonymous on

Shay- Lucy Lui is smart, Janet Jackson, not so much. Our bodies are designed to do all of our childbearing in our 20s and 30s because of the immense physical toll it takes on them. Having a baby when you are close to 50 is just not a smart decision physically. Lucy Lui wanted a biological child (nothing wrong with that) but likely knew the risks of trying to carry a child at her age. Good for her

Von on

He looks adorable.

Tina on

Look at her smile. Cutie pie.

Not Boomer on

Congrats Lulu! Rockwell is precious!

Mrs. B on

He’s a cute and happy baby.

Valerie Evans on

What a crazy a$$ B!tc h.
She didn’t have “time “to get pregnant, but have the time to raise a child. Does she know just how dumb that sounds?

digit on

I’m working so hard, I just don’t have time to be pregnant! Well, maybe reconsider the choice to start a family at all in that case. Ridic.

canna on

@Carolyn. Not everyone aspires to, nor do they need to be a Mom.

Julia Thomas on

I was lucky to have my first surrogacy experience pretty successful. I think it is because we didn’t search for a long time. And fully put our faith in biotexcom clinic doctor’s hand. They are very serious to the health checking. I guess it is because of their proposals. They have very attractive packages of services. They propose for unlimited attempts for a single price, without any hidden fees. They are very serious to the health checking. I guess it is because of their proposals. They have very attractive packages of services. They propose for unlimited attempts for a single price, without any hidden fees. And of course they want to be sure that it is possible with your state of health. And if it is surrogacy, you know, it is very important not infect the surrogate mother and future child. Clinic hopes not to spend money for your multiple attempts. So they are interested in doing their work perfectly from the first attempt. We were blessed with amazing son. Now, I’m happy and thankful mommy.

maofood on

What’s the ethnicity of the baby’s father? I thought the father might be white, or part white/part Asian. The baby looks pretty Asian, but his skin tone looks like he might be part white. I’ve also heard that hapa babies start out looking more Asian, but get whiter-looking as they get older.

william on

I have a great respect for Lucy and each time she does something amazing I admire her even more. Her courage and sincerity comes through in her acting so well and it makes her one of the best actresses of our time. Her honesty and sincerity in having a child and being candid about everything she did is truly amazing. In a time when so many people are deceptive and don’t tell the truth it is inspiring. I wish more people were like Lucy. Our world is a better place for having her in it.

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