For those of us who grew up with the iconic children’s show Teletubbies, the latest news is bound to make you feel ancient.
Jessica Smith, renowned as the giggling Teletubbies Sun Baby, has announced she's expecting a baby of her own!
At 27, Smith took to Instagram on Tuesday to share her delightful news. She is now expecting her first child with partner Ricky Latham, with the due date falling in January 2024.
"When two becomes three," she tenderly captioned an ultrasound photo.
Smith's wonderful news led to an outpouring of love from her followers and former fans of the show, with one person writing: "Congratulations I remember you being the sun in Teletubbies very very happy for you you deserve so much happiness."
A second supporter added: "Congratulations and safe delivery for you and your baby. That cute little face and laugh still plays in my house since my oldest son, who has special needs, still watches the original Teletubbies."
It's a journey from being the radiant face of the Sun Baby, nestled in the sky of Teletubbyland, to now embarking on the path of motherhood. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, she expressed: "I am feeling overwhelmed with the amount of love I am receiving from people around the world… I am still overwhelmed with the amount of people who have watched and are watching Teletubbies."
And former fans of the series would undoubtedly be curious if she'd introduce her child to the world of Teletubbies. Well, Smith revealed: "She will be watching my version of Teletubbies." Indeed, it's sure to be a surreal moment for the mother-to-be when her daughter witnesses her mom as the Sun Baby. It almost sounds like the sort of thing that should tear a hole in the space-time continuum.
Jessica's journey as the Sun Baby is an interesting tale in itself. It wasn’t until 2014 that she chose to publicly embrace her unique claim to fame. Previously shying away from it, university friends gave her the confidence to step into the limelight, per the New York Post.
Recounting her experience, she wrote on Facebook: “When I was about 9 months old, my mom took me for a routine checkup at the local hospital. The midwife there had been contacted by a local production company... From then I had to go through auditions and shortlists until they finally picked one person, ME!"
For fans wondering how they captured such a contagious giggle and mesmerizing gaze, Smith credits her father's behind-the-camera antics. "While recording my dad held a teddy bear behind the camera to get me to laugh, and rolled a toy racing car to get me to look down at the camera, it obviously worked," she reminisced.
The original Teletubbies - a staple of countless childhoods - aired for 365 episodes between 1997 and 2001.
A huge congratulations to Jessica, and all the best as you step from one bright spotlight into another more radiant role - motherhood! Now, I'm off to lie down, because I feel OLD.
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