Nannies are essential members of the team for many busy working parents, and that’s true for celebrities, too. Behind the glitz and glamour, many of the most famous and beloved actors, musicians, podcasters and television personalities wouldn’t be able to do what they do without the dedicated caregivers who care for their kids.
Traditionally, many celebs have remained mum about the help they have at home. But, in recent years, stars like Melanie Lynskey, Tamron Hall and Amy Poehler have started speaking up about the amazing nannies who do so much for their families. From award show speeches to heartfelt Instagram posts, these celebrity parents are showing what it means to appreciate your nanny and changing how people think about working parenthood. Most importantly, they’re normalizing the important work that nannies do and the vital role child care providers hold in U.S. families. Here are the inspiring quotes from 15 celebrity parents who’ve publicly thanked their child’s nanny.
1. Melanie Lynskey
Actress Melanie Lynskey made sure to praise her “angel” nanny during a 2022 acceptance speech at the Critic’s Choice Awards. “The most important person I have to thank … is my nanny, Sally,” Lynskey said. “I love her. She’s an absolute angel. She’s with my child and I know my child is safe and taken care of, and she allows me to go and do my work. Thank you, Sally. I love you so much.”
2. Chrissy Teigen
Model Chrissy Teigen openly praised the team of nannies who help raise her four kids in a touching Instagram tribute, writing, “Grateful for all the people who make it possible for me to be the best mother I can possibly be. I am endlessly thankful for your presence in this home and all our lives. We love you.”
3. Busy Philips
Actress and podcast host Busy Philips dedicated an Instagram post to her caregiving team to celebrate Mother’s Day in 2023. “I wouldn’t have made it this far as a mom and a human without the incredible women who’ve helped me show up for my kids as my best self,” she writes. “Their love and care for my kids has allowed me to go to work and travel with the knowledge that the two humans most important to me will be taken care of.”
4. Tamron Hall
In an interview with SheKnows, journalist and TV host Tamron Hall celebrated her nanny loudly and proudly. “I’ve talked about the fact that our nanny lives with us. It’s impossible to do it without her,” she says. ” … I made a very conscious and deliberate decision to make sure people knew this about my life. I wasn’t going to pretend, and I also felt that [to do so] was diminishing this great woman who chose a career to care for my son when I’m not able to be there.”
5. Kaley Cuoco
Actress Kaley Cuoco used her first Mother’s Day as an opportunity to shout-out her nanny. “To all the incredible women who are truly helping us raise our sweet Matilda! We love and appreciate you,” she writes on Instagram.
6. Jennie Garth
On her nanny’s birthday, former “Beverly Hills, 90210” star Jennie Garth penned a loving tribute to the caregiver who’s helped her raise three children. “Happy 65th birthday to my chosen life partner,” she writes. “Nina, you have helped me raise three beautiful daughters … and I will be forever grateful for my friendship with you. I can not imagine my life without you.”
7. Jessica Alba
When actress Jessica Alba’s nanny, Connie, published a book in 2018, Alba was right there to sing her praises. “Nearly 10 years ago she came into my life and showed me the ropes with my newborn baby Honor,” she writes on Instagram. “It set the stage for me to take on the biggest, most important thing that had ever happened to me. She taught me how to bathe, breast feed and soothe my new baby … It truly takes a village to raise kiddos, whether it’s your blood family or chosen family. I am so thankful for Connie.”
8. Zoe Saldana
Actress Zoe Saldana credits her nanny with being the reason she’s able to work and achieve success. “Our assistant, our nanny and our housekeeper. They are literally raising our children with us,” Saldana says in an interview with Yahoo Style. “It’s because of them I am able to rip myself away as long as I can, and my husband as well, to do what we do.”
9. Amy Poehler
During a speech at a Time magazine gala in 2018, comedian and actress Amy Poehler took time to thank all of the attendees’ nannies and child care providers. “For you working women who are out there tonight who get to do what you get to do because there are wonderful people who help you at home, I would like to take a moment to thank those people …,” Poehler said. “Those are people who love your children as much as you do, and who inspire them and influence them. On behalf of every sister and mother and person who stands in your kitchen and helps you love your child, I say thank you and I celebrate you tonight.”
10. Shonda Rimes
Shonda Rhimes is best known as a television writer and producer, and she admits that she couldn’t do it all without her nanny. In her memoir “Year of Yes” Rhimes devotes an entire chapter to singing her nanny’s praises. “To do it all, I have Jenny McCarthy,” she writes, which is her nanny’s name, not a reference to the TV personality. “Jenny McCarthy is my family’s nanny. And I’m proud to say so out loud to anyone who asks. I am proud to say that I do not do this alone.”
11. Amanda Kloots
In March 2022, “The Talk” cohost Amanda Kloots shared a touching tribute to the nanny she hired after her husband, Broadway star Nick Cordero, died of COVID. “I really wanted a ‘manny’ because I knew Elvis [my son] needed male energy in his life. What I didn’t know was how much he would help us both,” she writes. “Thom, you have been the best example to my son. You brighten his day, taught him manners, kept him (well, put him) on a schedule, cared for him like he was your own … there is nothing ever that you couldn’t do for us or help us with.”
12. Ali Fedotowsky-Manno
Former “Bachelorette” star Ali Fedotwosky-Manno credits her nanny with making her an even better mom to her daughter. “Getting a nanny to help with Molly has seriously changed my life,” Fedotowsky-Manno writes on Instagram. ” … I think for a while I was too embarrassed to get someone to help me because I was worried about being judged for not being able to do it all myself. And, you know what, I’m kind of upset with myself for waiting as long as I did because not only am I a better mommy now, but I feel like I have some of my sanity back.”
13. Kelly Stafford
Listeners of Kelly Stafford’s podcast “The Morning After” are familiar with her nanny, Tata, whom Stafford frequently praises and has referred to as “my better half.” On one podcast episode featuring her nanny, the host said, “Having her in the house has been the biggest blessing … she just makes our family, our family. It just wouldn’t feel right without her there.”
14. Charlize Theron
Actress Charlize Theron considers her nanny a vital member of her “village.” She tells Elle, “In the beginning, I wanted to do it all and didn’t reach out for as much help as I actually needed. I felt [like] if I don’t do all of this, then maybe I am a bad parent. The second time, I realized I am happier and my kids are happier if I ask for more help … I have one nanny and my mom up the street and amazing friends and family. I call them my village.”
15. Amy Schumer
After Amy Schumer hired a nanny to care for her son, Gene, in 2020, she was vocal about the positive impact it had on her family. “This is our nanny who makes it possible for me to work and know that our baby is happy and healthy,” Schumer shared on Instagram, along with this silly photo of the two of them together. “I love her very much.”
