Engagements, weddings, & babies | 2026

[BlissfulSynergy]

Vanessa James had a baby boy in April, about 6 weeks ago. Vanessa posted the news and pics on her Instagram, but she had kept the news of her pregnancy private, similar to Michelle Kwan. Thus, it was a surprise. Starting a family must be one of the reasons why Vanessa ended her pro career with Eric Radford last year.

Jessica Calalang recently married her long time boyfriend and her former pairs partner, Zack Sidhu. The news was discussed in U.S. pairs thread. Jessica has shared her joy on IG.

Last December, former U.S. pairs skater turned coach, Keauna McLaughlin, married former U.S. men's skater, Richard Dornbush.

In February, Kirsten Moore-Towers gave birth to a son with Liam Firus.

Of course, Alexa & Chris Knierim welcomed a baby boy (Braxton) last July, so he will soon celebrate his first birthday. Ashley Wagner's daughter, Rosalie, will be 3 in December. As we know, Michelle Kwan gave her daughter, Kalista Belle, a sister, Della Rose, last December.

In addition, Mark Hanretty has posted on IG to celebrate his 15th wedding anniversary with his wife, Kathy. I'm sure a number of skaters are celebrating wedding anniversaries this month.

 

[DemTuppesSeine]

Not yet a wedding, but Olivia Smart and Jean-Luc Baker got engaged in Milan

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Not yet a wedding, but Olivia Smart and Jean-Luc Baker got engaged in Milan

And now, they will be competing against each other in ice dance!

 

[Skating47]

On her podcast, Whatever This Is, Olivia Smart said that she and Jean-Luc Baker are aiming for a 2028 wedding in London.

 

[Moxiejan]

On her podcast, Whatever This Is, Olivia Smart said that she and Jean-Luc Baker are aiming for a 2028 wedding in London.

OT, but I’ll never understand these 2+ year engagements, unless the couple wants a very specific setting that is difficult to book. Six months is plenty.

 

[DemTuppesSeine]

We did have another recent wedding...Livvy Shilling and Leo Baeten who compete in ice dance for Belgium got married in May.

 

[CherylDee]

Vanessa's baby came as such a surprise, I initially thought it was a surrogate birth until Vee posted a pick of her very round baby bump with the stroller ad. I totally expected Vanessa to be very showy with her pregnancy since she had done so with her engagement and marriage to Jordan after 11 years together!

 

[TT_Fin]

Laura Lepistö (women, Fin, European champion 2009) is expecting her third baby. She has a 4- and a 2-year-old sons, now she has given a clue the next one will be girl. I am not 100 % sure but think it is September when the baby should be born.

 

[CherylDee]

Not yet a wedding, but Olivia Smart and Jean-Luc Baker got engaged in Milan

I would love to see them skate together. Are there any clips or videos of them together on ice?

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

OT, but I’ll never understand these 2+ year engagements, unless the couple wants a very specific setting that is difficult to book. Six months is plenty.

Check out Olivia's YT podcast. She specifically explains why the two-year scheduling. They are a very booked and busy couple. She doesn't have a lot of time to plan this year. She was not expecting the proposal at the time it came. She's got a lot going on, and she needs time to plan for the actual wedding planning. She's received a lot of offers for help that she's considering. She was already invited to and attended a wedding fashion event! She took Jason Chan with her. A big reason why Olivia is scheduling her wedding for 2028 is so as not to coincide with her brother's wedding next year. LOL!

 

[Ziotic]

OT, but I’ll never understand these 2+ year engagements, unless the couple wants a very specific setting that is difficult to book. Six months is plenty.

I don't see why the length of engagement matters at all. Why rush, if they love each other they will get there eventually and it is highly unlike a piece of paper or ceremony will change anything in their daily lives.

 

[Moxiejan]

Check out Olivia's YT podcast. She specifically explains why the two-year scheduling. They are a very booked and busy couple. She doesn't have a lot of time to plan this year. She was not expecting the proposal at the time it came. She's got a lot going on, and she needs time to plan for the actual wedding planning. She's received a lot of offers for help that she's considering. She was already invited to and attended a wedding fashion event! She took Jason Chan with her. A big reason why Olivia is scheduling her wedding for 2028 is so as not to coincide with her brother's wedding next year. LOL!

In light of the brother’s wedding date, waiting until the following year makes sense! TY for the explanation.

 

[Skating47]

Check out Olivia's YT podcast. She specifically explains why the two-year scheduling. They are a very booked and busy couple. She doesn't have a lot of time to plan this year. She was not expecting the proposal at the time it came. She's got a lot going on, and she needs time to plan for the actual wedding planning. She's received a lot of offers for help that she's considering. She was already invited to and attended a wedding fashion event! She took Jason Chan with her. A big reason why Olivia is scheduling her wedding for 2028 is so as not to coincide with her brother's wedding next year. LOL!

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Vanessa's baby came as such a surprise, I initially thought it was a surrogate birth until Vee posted a pick of her very round baby bump with the stroller ad. I totally expected Vanessa to be very showy with her pregnancy since she had done so with her engagement and marriage to Jordan after 11 years together!

I think sharing wedding photos with fans, especially after an 11-year relationship, is exciting, fun, generous, and satisfying. Pregnancy, particularly a first pregnancy in your late 30s is not necessarily something every mother would want to share on social media, no matter how well known you are. Or indeed, being discreet can be related to one's high public profile. Vanessa is 38; she will be 39 in September.

I was definitely surprised that Vanessa has a baby boy. But I'm not surprised she decided to keep her pregnancy progress quiet. After Vee and Eric ended their pro partnership, I just thought they were planning to move in different career trajectories. At the time, Vanessa was performing with a professional ice theatre company. Her contract for the season must have ended and she simply went home to cocoon wth her hubby, Jordan, and extended relatives for 9 months. How wonderful! I'm glad for Vanessa and family members that everything worked out so well.

 

[iluvtodd]

I asked this question on another FS board and got my answer. Madison Hubbell & Adrian Diaz had their second child, Thiago, born May 9, 2026. Now their daughter Chloe has a little brother! Many congrats to the happy family!

 

[cocteautwin]

I asked this question on another FS board and got my answer. Madison Hubbell & Adrian Diaz had their second child, Thiago, born May 9, 2026. Now their daughter Chloe has a little brother! Many congrats to the happy family!

Having a baby in May after the olympic season as coaches is a brilliant strategic planning.
Happy for them!

 

[DonnaR]

Paige Lawrence (pairs, Canada) is expecting her second child later this year. Lubov Ilyushechkina (pairs, Canada) had a baby early last year I believe and is expecting their second child later this year as well. Congrats to them both!

 

[TT_Fin]

Matthias Versluis wedding photo was just published at skating Finlands ig page. He has got married 6th June. The name of the bride is Janni; she is what I know a private person.

 

[chepe]

Pics from Versluis' wedding in Instagram

 

[DemTuppesSeine]

Katie McBeath got engaged recently