Hilaria Baldwin, the yoga instructor turned reality TV contender, has been making waves on the latest season of Dancing with the Stars. Born Hillary Hayward-Thomas in Boston back in 1984, she built a public persona around her supposed Spanish roots—a detail that unraveled in a 2020 scandal when old videos surfaced showing her flawless American accent. Indeed, the revelation painted her early marriage to Alec Baldwin in 2012 as part of a carefully curated image, one that blended wellness advocacy with Hollywood glamour. Yet here she is, seven kids later, twirling across the ballroom floor with partner Gleb Savchenko.
The couple's family life, often showcased on social media, includes their seven children together: Carmen, now 12; Rafael, 10; Leonardo, 9; Romeo, 7; Eduardo, 4; Maria Lucia, 4; and little Ilaria, just 3. Alec's daughter Ireland from his previous marriage, 29, has even voiced public support for her stepmother's DWTS stint, brushing off inheritance jabs with a mix of humor and sincerity. However, not all eyes are cheering. Recent episodes have seen Hilaria saved from elimination—most notably after a samba performance to that viral "Shake it to the Max" tune on September 30—sparking outrage among fans who felt a more deserving competitor got the boot. Alec's absences from the audience, chalked up to work travel, haven't helped quiet whispers about family strains.
Moreover, the Baldwins just announced the heartbreaking loss of their beloved Maltese dog, a poignant note amid the high-energy rehearsals. Hilaria herself has admitted the show pushes her boundaries, calling moments "uncomfortable and embarrassing" but vowing to push through. It's a far cry from her pre-fame days teaching yoga in New York, where she first caught Alec's eye. Still, with Kris Jenner spotted in the front row alongside Alec last week, the star power is undeniable.
Indeed, as Hilaria navigates these spotlights, one wonders how long the family's carefully balanced act can hold under such intense scrutiny.