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.
Merritt Robertson & Tyler Metro
The Duck Dynast star and husband Tyler—who tied the knot in June 2024—welcomed their first baby together in December, a little girl named Nellie Jane Metro.
“It’s been one week since our sweet Nellie Jane Metro arrived!” Merritt wrote on Instagram alongside photos of the newborn. “We’re absolutely mesmerized.”
Enrique Iglesias & Anna Kournikova
The “Hero” singer and former tennis pro welcomed their fourth child together, sharing the happy news in a joint Instagram post that read, "My Sunshine. 12.17.2025.”
The baby joins older siblings twins Lucy and Nicholas, as well as daughter Mary.
Pete Davidson & Elsie Hewitt
Meet the heir of Staten Island! The comedian welcomed his first child—a baby girl named Scottie Rose Hewitt Davidson—with the Industry actress on Dec. 12.
Debby Ryan & Josh Dun
The former Jessie star delievered her first baby with the Twenty One Pilots singer during a intimate home birth. On Dec. 13, she announced that the couple named their baby girl Felix Winter Dun.
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Cheyenne Floyd & Zach Davis
Cheyenne Floyd & Zach Davis
The Teen Mom star and her husband welcomed their second baby together on Dec. 10. The newborn joins older siblings Ryder and Ace.
Vanessa Hudgens & Cole Tucker
The Disney Channel alum confirmed she welcomed her second baby with the MLB star in an Nov. 29 Instagram post.
"Well…. I did it. Had another baby!!!" she wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of herself in her hospital bed, holding hands with Cole. "What a wild ride labor is. Big shout out to all the moms. It’s truly incredible what our bodies can do."
Ioan Gruffudd & Bianca Wallace
The couple had a fantastic Thanksgiving update as Ioan and Bianca shared that they had welcomed daugther Mila Mae Gruffudd on Nov. 2, 2025, one month before her original due date.
“Completely and totally in love with our tiny little angel," they wrote in a joint Instagram post. "Extremely grateful this thanksgiving.”
Ben Savage & Tessa Angermeier
Baby meets world. The Boy Meets World alum announced the arrival of his and his wife's baby girl in November 2025, writing in an Instagram post, "Welcome little one."
Tori Kelly & André Murillo
The singer gave birth to her first baby, a boy named Zayden Michael Murillo, with her husband of seven years on Nov. 11. Tori announced the birth of her new bundle of joy on Nov. 17, leaving an adorable note for her son, “We love you so much, sweet boy.”
Jesse Bongiovi & Jesse Light
Jon Bon Jovi’s oldest son and his wife, Jesse, announced that they welcomed their first baby, a daughter named Blair Lucy Bongiovi, on Nov. 10. “Our sweet girl has arrived, and we couldn’t be happier,” the couple wrote on an Instagram post announcing their newest addition. “Welcome to the world, baby Blair bear.”
Cardi B & Stefon Diggs
The Grammy Award-winning rapper and football star announced the birth of their first baby together on Nov. 13.
"Starting over is never easy but it’s been so worth it," Cardi—also mom to Kulture, Wave and Blossom with ex Offset—wrote on Instagram after welcoming her new bundle of joy. “I brought new music and a new album to the world! A new baby into my world, and one more reason to be the best version of me, one more reason to love me more than anything else or anyone else so I can continue giving my babies the love and life they deserve."
Chris Evans & Alba Baptista
The Captain America star and Borderline actress welcomed their first baby in late October, multiple outlets confirmed. Although the couple prefers to keep their personal lives private, Chris shed some light on his relationship with Alba before welcoming their bundle of joy.
"We're laying low,” he told E! News in June. “We're enjoying our time, just relaxing.”
Kelsey Grammer & Kayte Walsh
The Frasier star and his wife Kayte welcomed their fourth baby together and his eighth overall, a son named Christopher, in October. "It was like three days ago," Kelsey told cohosts Danielle Fishel, Will Friedle and Rider Strong during the Oct. 27 episode of their Pod Meets World podcast. "Christopher's just joined the family.”
Vanessa Kirby & Paul Rabil
The Fantastic Four actress and her longtime boyfriend introduced their first child to the world on Oct. 20. "I’m learning that becoming a parent slows you down and wakes you up at the same time," the lacrosse player wrote alongside an Instagram post featuring photos of their newborn. “That I’m really grateful for everyone’s health, that I get to wake up everyday to mum’s enormous love, and that we get to have you in our lives now.”
Nara & Lucky Blue Smith
The TikToker shared that she gave birth to her and her husband’s fourth baby on Oct. 11. Known for their creative baby names, the couple—also parents to Rumble Honey, Slim Easy and Whimsy Lou, continued the tradition by naming their third daughter Fawnie Golden Smith.
Francesca Eastwood & Alexander Wraith
The daughter of Clint Eastwood welcomed her and her longtime partner’s second baby on Oct. 10. Francesca’s Instagram post announcing the news featured their eldest son Titan Wraith doting over the family’s new addition.
Lauren Speed & Cameron Hamilton
The Love Is Blind season one stars welcomed their first baby together, a boy named Ezra William Hamilton, on Oct. 1. "To God be the GLORY!" Lauren shared on Instagram, explaining that Ezra arrived "a little earlier than planned, but perfectly on God’s time."
Cam Newton & Jasmin Brown
The former NFL quarterback revealed on The Tamron Hall Show in October that his girlfriend—with whom he welcomed a daughter in March 2024—had given birth to their son, making him a dad to nine kids.
Priscilla Robertson & Dillon Nash
The Duck Dynasty star welcomed her first baby with her boyfriend on Oct. 6. Dillon gushed in an Instagram post at the time, "I am so blessed to be able to take care of this beautiful little girl and do it with the love of my life."
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.