Julia Roberts, the famous Hollywood actress, likes to keep her personal life, especially her three kids, out of the spotlight. She and her husband welcomed twins Hazel and Phinnaeus in 2004. Three years later, their son Henry was born. Though they are quite private, Julia and Daniel Moder sometimes share small glimpses of their family life with fans. This time, many fans couldn’t help but notice a particular detail about Hazel’s appearance.
Hazel made her red carpet debut at the Cannes Film Festival in 2021.
Julia Roberts’s 19-year-old daughter Hazel is stepping into the spotlight just like her mom. In 2021, she joined her dad, Daniel Moder, at the premiere of Flag Day. It’s a drama directed by and starring Sean Penn, which also features his daughter, Dylan Frances Penn, in a lead role. Daniel Moder served as the film’s cinematographer, and his daughter decided to support him on the red carpet.
At the premiere, Hazel shined in a long yellow button-up dress paired with black Mary-Jane shoes, while her dad looked sharp in a classic black suit.
Fans couldn’t help but notice a particular detail about Hazel.
Fans noticed how much Hazel resembles her mom, Julia Roberts.
With her radiant smile and striking features, Hazel looks like a younger version of the famous actress. Many pointed out the uncanny resemblance, noting that Hazel has clearly inherited her mom’s charm and elegance.
Roberts is raising her kids to have less reliance on technology.
Julia Roberts has always been protective of her children’s privacy, rarely posting pictures of them on social media. She values real-life connections with her family, away from phones and technology. In her house, one rule is to put phones away, especially during meals. “We just had sort of simple rules where we had a charging station where everyone’s phones go when you get home. There’s no phones at the table,” Julia shared in 2023.
In the interview, she said that being at home “with kids and no devices” actually “sounds like a good time” to her. Julia explained that she raised her kids to not be overly dependent on technology, reminiscing about the days “when you couldn’t get ahold of people, or they couldn’t get ahold of you.”
“I think of a family coming together at the end of the day, and you actually have things to talk about at dinner because you haven’t been in contact all day long a hundred times or a busy signal,” she said.
The actress is a proud mom of college students.
Hazel and Phinnaeus are both in college now, and Julia Roberts couldn’t be prouder. “It’s really thrilling, and I wasn’t lucky enough to have a college experience. So to see how it’s happening for them is really fascinating. And yeah, I’m just, I’m excited for them,” she opened up.
On a December 2023 episode of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Julia shared that supporting her kids’ colleges has become a big part of her life, “You become immediately like, ’This is my entire life.’ I wear the colors, I do the whole thing.”
When Jimmy Fallon asked if her youngest son, Henry, was sad to be the only child left at home, Julia replied that while Henry missed his siblings, he also enjoyed being the sole kid at home, “I think it’s a good 50/50 split. He’s loving it. And I think he misses his people.”
She’s still a hands-on mom even though her kids are older.
Julia Roberts continues to be a hands-on mom. On the Today show, she expressed her gratitude for the ongoing involvement she has in their lives. “I parent them the same way out of the house that I parented them in the house,” the actress opened up. “Which is ’Are you getting enough sleep? You sound like you’re sick, are you drinking enough tea? Text me when you get home. I can see that you’re home safe and sound,’” Julia explained.
She continued, “And I have an immense amount of appreciation for both of my older kids because they still allow me to be the same mom to them, and it’s not eye-rolling. There’s a huge amount of understanding.”
Despite her busy schedule and the distance between them due to college, they stay connected through group calls.
She is grateful for finding work-life balance.
Julia has always valued finding a balance between work and family, and she’s grateful that she can often put her kids first. In an interview with British Vogue in 2024, Julia reflected on how achieving success early in her career allowed her to prioritize her family when her children were younger.
“I think that the luckiest aspect of my work life/family life is that the success of my work life came earlier. So by the time I had the success of my family life and had a husband and children who wanted to stay at home, I had been working for 18 years,” she said.
Julia expressed her deep gratitude for being able to pause work life to nurture her home life.
“I never force my son to say SORRY and THANK YOU — it could psychologically traumatize him,” a reader wrote to Bright Side to share her unique parenting style and to seek advice from other parents. She often faces criticism about her methods of upbringing and wants to know if other parents have had similar experiences.
The Brutal Reality of Hyena Birth: One of the Most Painful in the Animal Kingdom
Nature is full of fascinating and sometimes brutal adaptations, but few are as shocking as the birthing process of the spotted hyena. You might think childbirth is a universally painful experience, but hyenas take it to an entirely new level.
Female hyenas have one of the most unusual reproductive anatomies in the animal kingdom—what appears to be a penis is actually an elongated clitoris, known as a pseudo-penis. This rare adaptation makes mating, birth, and survival incredibly difficult for both mother and cubs.
Let’s dive into the science, struggles, and evolutionary mysteries behind why hyenas experience one of the most challenging births in the wild.
Hyenas’ Unique Reproductive Anatomy: A Bizarre Evolutionary Twist
The female spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) is unlike any other mammal when it comes to reproduction. Unlike most female mammals, hyenas have no external vaginal opening. Instead, their labia are fused together, forming a pseudo-scrotum, and their clitoris is elongated into what resembles a fully functional penis.
This means that both mating and giving birth happen through a narrow, tough, and inflexible canal—a structure that poses serious risks to both mother and cubs.
But why would evolution favor such an extreme adaptation? The answer lies in hyena social structure and dominance.
The Link Between Dominance and Reproductive Anatomy
Hyenas live in strict matriarchal societies, where females outrank males in dominance. The unusual reproductive anatomy is believed to be an evolutionary adaptation linked to social hierarchy.
- A Display of Strength: A larger pseudo-penis might act as a dominance signal, making it clear which females hold power in the clan.
- Hormonal Influence: Female hyenas have higher testosterone levels than males, leading to increased aggression and dominance over the pack.
- Mating Challenges: Males must earn the right to mate, as females control copulation with their complicated anatomy.
Video : Hyenas’ Brutal Birth: The Most Painful Labor in the Animal Kingdom
While this system gives females power, it comes at a terrible cost when it’s time to give birth.
Why Giving Birth Is So Dangerous for Hyenas
Imagine trying to push a newborn through a passage too small, too rigid, and highly prone to tearing. That’s exactly what female hyenas go through every time they give birth.
Here’s what makes hyena birth so deadly:
- A Super Tight Birth Canal
- The pseudo-penis acts as the only birth canal, but it is long, narrow, and lacks the elasticity of a normal vagina.
- This makes labor extremely difficult and painful, with a high chance of the tissue tearing.
- First-Time Mothers Face the Worst Risks
- Many first-time mothers do not survive the birthing process due to severe ruptures.
- Those who do survive often suffer from long-term damage to their reproductive organs.
- High Cub Mortality Rate
- A staggering 60% of hyena cubs suffocate before they are fully delivered.
- Since the birth canal is so tight, cubs often become trapped and die before they can emerge.
- A Painful Recovery Process
- After birth, the pseudo-penis often ruptures completely, forcing it to heal over time.
- Mothers suffer weeks of pain and vulnerability while their bodies recover.
Despite these brutal challenges, hyenas continue to thrive, and their unique reproductive system has remained largely unchanged for millions of years.
How Do Hyenas Mate? The Struggles of Reproduction
If you think birth is difficult for hyenas, mating is no easier. Males must overcome significant anatomical and social obstacles just to reproduce.
- Males Are Submissive to Females
- Unlike in many species where males dominate, male hyenas are the weaker sex in both power and ranking.
- They must approach females cautiously, often displaying submissive behavior to gain approval.
- Navigating the Pseudo-Penis
- Since females have no traditional vaginal opening, males must carefully maneuver through the pseudo-penis to copulate successfully.
- This requires both patience and precise positioning, making it one of the most complex mating processes in the animal world.
- Only the Strongest Males Get to Reproduce
- Males don’t fight each other for dominance like in other species. Instead, they must earn the female’s trust over time.
- Females choose mates based on persistence, patience, and respect, ensuring only the most determined males pass on their genes.
Given how dangerous and inefficient the reproductive process is for hyenas, one might wonder why evolution hasn’t corrected this issue.
The answer lies in survival strategy and social dynamics.
- Matriarchal Control Guarantees Stronger Cubs
- By limiting mating to only the most persistent males, female hyenas ensure that their cubs inherit strong genetics.
- This method prevents weaker genes from spreading, keeping the species robust.
- Higher Testosterone Helps With Survival
- The same high testosterone that makes birth difficult also makes female hyenas stronger and more aggressive.
- This aggression helps protect their cubs and maintain dominance in their environment.
- Fewer Cubs = More Resources
- Since many cubs don’t survive birth, the ones that do are often given more attention and resources.
- This ensures the strongest cubs make it to adulthood, increasing the clan’s overall survival rate.
The Resilience of the Spotted Hyena
Despite their brutal birthing process, hyenas have thrived for millions of years. Their ability to adapt, dominate, and survive proves just how powerful evolutionary trade-offs can be.
- They are among Africa’s most successful predators, competing with lions for food.
- Their clans are ruled by powerful females, ensuring only the strongest members survive.
- They have some of the most advanced social structures in the animal kingdom, making them highly intelligent and strategic.
Video : The Most Extreme Births In The Animal Kingdom
Conclusion: Nature’s Ultimate Test of Survival
Hyenas are proof that nature often prioritizes survival over comfort. Their unique reproductive anatomy, extreme birthing challenges, and dominance-driven society have allowed them to thrive despite overwhelming odds.
While their birth process remains one of the most painful and deadly in the animal kingdom, it also ensures that only the strongest females and cubs survive.
So the next time you see a spotted hyena, remember—they’re not just fierce scavengers. They’re survivors of one of evolution’s toughest reproductive challenges.
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