The Golden Globe Awards: Wunmi Mosaku’s Heartfelt Announcement

The Golden Globe Awards kicked off this year with a surprising and delightful twist—Wunmi Mosaku, renowned for her role in the film “Sinners,” revealed her baby bump while gracing the red carpet. The actress, whose film has seven nominations this evening, is expecting her second child. This is a significant moment for Mosaku, who gave birth to her first child, a daughter, just last year in 2023.

At tonight’s awards, the 39-year-old actress donned a stunning sunny yellow gown, uniquely designed by Matthew Reisman. Reisman even took to Instagram to share the design sketch, which captivated many fashion enthusiasts and fans alike.

A Heartfelt “Anti-Announcement”

In a reflective essay for Vogue, Mosaku candidly expressed her journey into motherhood. “I’ve decided to stop trying to camouflage my bump today at the Golden Globes, so me and baby can truly enjoy and embrace the moment fully together,” she wrote. Dubbed her “anti-announcement pregnancy announcement,” this piece served as a celebration of her joy while also shedding light on the cultural significance of pregnancy announcements for Black Nigerian women.

Cultural Reflections: A Personal Journey

Born to Yoruba parents in Zaria, Nigeria, and raised in Manchester, England, Mosaku highlighted the contrast between her personal feelings and cultural expectations. “In my Nigerian culture, we don’t really announce this kind of news. It’s meant to be protected,” she explained. This revelation has fueled her motivation to launch a new clothing line for mothers, aptly named Iyadé, which translates to “mother has arrived” in Yoruba.

Visibility in the Spotlight

The success of “Sinners,” both critically and at the box office, has thrust Mosaku into the limelight. “The success of *Sinners*, a project that has gifted me with more than I could imagine, a cast and crew who’ve become like family, and the undeniable support of moviegoers, has also given me a new visibility,” she noted. With awards season in full swing, Mosaku embraced her growing baby bump, making this an affirming public declaration of her new chapter.

Shining a Light on Black Maternal Health

In her Vogue essay, Mosaku used her platform to speak about the critical issue of Black maternal health. “We remember the mothers who were ignored, who had traumatic labors, and the precious lives lost,” she wrote, reflecting profound truths that resonate deeply within her community. The worry held by Black women extends beyond the baby’s wellbeing—it’s a dual concern for their own health as well.

“Being pregnant as a Black woman, you’re not just worrying about whether your baby will be okay, you’re praying you will be too,” she expressed. This duality, a blend of joy and fear, is rooted in systemic issues like medical bias and concerning statistics surrounding Black maternal mortality.

Connecting Experience to Craft

This isn’t the first instance where Mosaku has openly discussed her experience with pregnancy in connection to her work. She revealed that while filming “Sinners,” she was seven months postpartum, which allowed her to deeply connect with her character, Annie. In the film, Annie grieves the loss of her son, a role that resonated with Mosaku’s own experiences as a mother.

“Being a mom is an integral part of Annie, and it’s an integral part of me, now,” Mosaku shared in an interview with W Magazine. Her connection to Annie’s relationship with her daughter, who becomes an ancestor, further emphasizes the personal and transformative nature of motherhood.