In the world of Gabourey Sidibe, the spotlight is currently being shared with two very small, very energetic scene-stealers.
On Friday, April 24, Brandon Frankel, husband of the Oscar-nominated Empire star, took to Instagram to pull back the curtain on a milestone occasion: the second birthday of the couple’s twins, Cooper and Maya. Eschewing the traditional Hollywood ballroom for something a bit more rustic, the family headed to the Love Always Sanctuary in California for a day defined by feathers, fur, and four-legged friends.
The digital scrapbook shared by Frankel captured the toddlers in their element, darting between chickens and goats in what their father described as a “wild, beautiful, hilarious and exhausting ride.”
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A Private Hang at the Sanctuary
“For the twins’ 2nd birthday, we wanted to do something they’d absolutely love… and their love for animals is constantly coming up all day,” Frankel shared in a heartfelt caption.
The private excursion allowed the twins to come face-to-face with a literal menagerie, ranging from donkeys and turtles to a mini pony and a very curious goose. The day left such an impression that, according to Frankel, the duo has spent their post-birthday days asking when they can return to what they’ve affectionately dubbed “Oh MacDamo’s farm.”
“Can’t believe we officially have two TWO YEAR OLDS!” Frankel added, reflecting on the whirlwind of fatherhood. “I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
Balancing the Director’s Chair and the Diaper Bag
Cooper and Maya have been part of the public’s consciousness since their arrival in April 2024. Since then, Sidibe has been candid about the beautiful chaos of raising twins while maintaining a high-octane career.
In November, the actress shared a poignant glimpse into her “double life,” posting a photo from the set of a project she was directing. In the image, Sidibe commands the set while balancing both twins in her arms next to her director’s chair.
“The twins visited me on set the other day. They STILL [aren’t] allowed to watch screens tho,” she quipped, maintaining her signature wit even in the thick of multitasking.
Frankel, ever the supportive partner, championed his wife’s ability to pivot between roles. “Getting to watch them visit you at work and you simultaneously be a boss lady and the best mom is such an honor,” he commented. He later revealed he had traveled across the country with the children so they could reunite with Sidibe after weeks apart, noting that watching them “light up” upon seeing her was nothing short of magical.
Re-Falling in Love with the Self
The transition back into the professional world hasn’t been without its psychological hurdles. Sidibe’s recent role in Lifetime’s Give Me Back My Daughter served as her official return to the screen post-maternity, a move she describes as a necessary exercise in self-preservation.
In a recent interview, Sidibe opened up about the “consuming” nature of motherhood and the vital importance of “holding space” for one’s own identity.
“Take the time and enjoy this peace, where there’s not a tiny human asking you for things at all times,” she advised fellow mothers. “Really take the time and take the space to do it and re-fall in love with yourself really. Because truly, motherhood is so consuming.”
For Sidibe, being back on set offered a temporary sanctuary of a different kind—one where her primary responsibilities were hitting marks and memorizing dialogue.
“All I needed to do every single day was just focus on my lines, focus on my work, hit my marks, and drink water and mind my business,” she said. While she admitted the distance was difficult at first, the “wonderful space” to simply be herself again was a gift.
As the twins enter their “terrible twos” (or “terrific twos,” depending on the hour), the Sidibe-Frankel household remains a testament to the modern balancing act: one part red carpet, and one part “Oh MacDamo’s farm.”