Ryan Michelle Bathe opens up about parenting in the spotlight

Ryan Michelle Bathe is opening up about the challenges of parenting in the digital age, admitting she still feels conflicted about sharing photos of her children on social media.

Speaking at the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards, Bathe revealed that she often goes “back and forth” on whether she should post images of her two sons, whom she shares with husband Sterling K. Brown. The couple are parents to Andrew and Amaré.

The conversation was sparked after Brown recently discussed the topic on the podcast Armchair Expert. 

During the discussion, the Emmy-winning actor explained that, as a father of Black boys, he believes sharing their photos online may actually offer a form of protection because visibility and public recognition could help keep them safer.

According to People, Bathe said hearing her husband’s reasoning made her reconsider her own approach. 

She described his perspective as “really smart,” though she acknowledged that the issue is complicated and still something she continues to think about.

Moreover, the actress also spoke about the broader challenges faced by Black parents, noting that many feel they must search for any possible way to protect their children. 

She emphasized that there are no guarantees when it comes to safety, but parents do everything they can to help their children navigate the world.

Despite the couple’s public careers, they maintain strict boundaries around family privacy. 

Brown has previously shared that when the family is out together, they follow a “no photos” rule to allow their children to enjoy normal moments away from the spotlight.