Brenda Song Explains Why She and Macaulay Culkin Keep Their Kids Out of the Spotlight

Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin, both well-known former child stars, have chosen to raise their children away from the public eye. The couple, who have been together since meeting on the set of the film Changeland in 2017 and got engaged in 2022, share two sons: Dakota, born in April 2021, and Carson, their second son, whose name was recently disclosed by Brenda in an interview.

While they have enjoyed significant fame from their respective childhood roles—Brenda as the lovable London Tipton from Disney Channel’s The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and Macaulay as the iconic Kevin McCallister from Home Alone—they have made a conscious decision to protect their children’s privacy. In a recent conversation with Bustle, Brenda opened up about their family life and shared the reasoning behind their choice to keep their sons largely out of the spotlight.

The couple made a rare appearance with their children at Macaulay’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, an event Brenda deemed essential for the kids to witness. However, the experience underscored her commitment to shielding them from media attention, particularly after witnessing Dakota’s fear of the cameras. Brenda noted that children do not have a say in the limelight their parents create, emphasizing that while she is fine with being photographed, her children did not choose this lifestyle.

Brenda reflected on a past incident at soccer practice where her son was perplexed by the presence of paparazzi, which prompted her to think deeply about life under public scrutiny and the need for parental consent in such scenarios. Despite their effort to maintain a low profile, she mentioned that her sons lead active lives, arguably busier than their parents. Brenda jokingly remarked that both she and Macaulay are quite introverted, yet their children seem to have a more vibrant social calendar than they do.

After experiencing the challenges of being in the public eye at such a young age, Brenda and Macaulay are dedicated to allowing their children the freedom to grow up away from the relentless scrutiny associated with fame. Their decision reflects a growing trend among celebrities who strive to balance their public personas with a desire for family privacy.