Expecting actress Vanessa Kirby compares on-screen bump to the real thing—and it was no contest

July 24, 2025: In a candid chat on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Fantastic Four: First Steps star Vanessa Kirby—who’s expecting her first child with boyfriend Paul Rabil—shared a surprising behind-the-scenes detail: the fake pregnancy belly she wore as Sue Storm was heavier than her actual baby bump, causing her significant back discomfort.

Engineering a Realistic Bump

Kirby explained the costume team first used lightweight foam to simulate her character’s pregnancy, but she pushed for a heavier prop to add realism. “So we put rice packets in the belly…and it got so heavy, [and] I got really bad backache,” she said. In contrast, her real bump is “way lighter,” and the added weight only worsened her discomfort.

Pregnancy on and off Camera

Kirby made her pregnancy public in May at Mexico City’s CCXPMX Film Festival when she walked the red carpet in a form-fitting dress. Her partner, former lacrosse pro Paul Rabil, later confirmed the news on Instagram.

Art Imitates Life

Interestingly, Kirby’s character Sue Storm is also depicted as pregnant in the new Marvel film. Kirby told People magazine she learned much about balancing motherhood and heroism from her role—saying Sue is “absolutely a mother… but also a team member that defends.”

Takeaway

What began as a costume choice turned into a literal burden—one more nagging ache amid real pregnancy. Kirby’s insight paints a relatable picture: even cinematic realism can come with real-world consequences.