KATHERINE Ryan has controversially named her favourite child, and branded the other three as ‘privileged nepo-babies.’
The star’s eldest daughter Violet was born in 2009, from a previous relationship.
Katherine Ryan has controversially named her favourite child, and branded the other three as ‘privileged nepo-babies’ Credit: Begin Again/Facebook
Katherine with eldest daughter Violet Credit: Getty
also shares three children – Fred, Fenna and Holland Juliette, with her partner Bobby Koostra.
And the 43-year-old has stirred up conversation after saying she favours eldest Violet.
Katherine appeared on Davina McCall’s podcast, and said: “I can say it. Violet’s my favourite, she’s the firstborn daughter.
“I think people don’t like that, that’s a very provocative thing to say. I don’t worry about it hurting my other children’s feelings.
Katherine with Bobby Kootstra and children Violet Edelman, Fenna Kootstra and Fred Kootstra Credit: Getty
Katherine’s comment about having a favourite child has really split opinion on social media Credit: Getty
Some fans defended Katherine, understanding her point Credit: Getty
“I go those are nepo babies, guess what? You get to go to private school, she’s my favourite, guess what? You get to grow up with a dad, life’s not fair, she’s my favourite.”
Davina nodded as she listened to what Katherine had to say, and previously admitted she had “never” said any of her children were her favourite.
Mulling over Katherine’s response, Davina replied: “Yeah, I mean that makes sense in a way doesn’t it?
“They have privileges that she doesn’t, and she has a privilege that they don’t.”
Katherine’s comment about having a favourite child has really split opinion on social media.
One person wrote on social media: “Mm as a mother I do not like that at all, even if it’s true. Stuff like this can be really emotionally damaging and as their mum it’s up to you to protect them not to just say “life isn’t fair”…
“You absolutely should worry about hurting your child’s feelings, mine didn’t worry either and now I don’t talk to him at all.”
Another person on Facebook penned: “Seriously – or maybe she’s joking (as I understand she is in comedy)… but if serious – Good luck when they grow up…
“Telling one of your children is your favourite has long lasting effects on the others…
“The others will feel they are not good enough which will feed into their future relationships. The favourite one will have more confidence but may experience a level of guilt. Words can cut sharper than knives. (I’m still hopeful she’s just joking).”
But some fans defended Katherine, understanding her point.
Someone said: “She’s more protective over the eldest because she doesn’t have her dad in her life and they went on the journey together whereas the younger kids got the better version of her that had already achieved success.”
It comes after Katherineclaiming he “never made any sacrifices” and “never paid anything for her”.
The comedian said she resisted speaking out for years, but now Violet is a teenager “she can see it for herself”.
Speaking on the podcast, she explained why she felt ready to address it now.
“I’ve been careful never to s**g him off just because I don’t think it’s the right thing to do,” she said.
The comedian has never disclosed the identity of Violet’s father but maintains he is a “good person” despite what she describes as putting in minimal effort.
She said: “I really protected him while my daughter was young. I would never say anything bad about him.
“But now she’s 16, she can see for herself that unfortunately, he’s not a bad person, but he’s never made any sacrifices, never paid anything for her, just kind of texts her, which I think is breadcrumbing.”
Breadcrumbing refers to sending the odd message without properly showing up.
“Like, ‘Hey, love you. How are you?’ Which is better than no contact. But he hasn’t been the type of dad that you would want for your daughter.”
When asked directly if he is involved in Violet’s life, the TV star replied: “Not really.”
Katherine made clear his role had been largely hands-off.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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