The movie star’s child faced body image struggles, eating disorders, and harsh criticism early on. She was called “fat” and “ugly” and once said she felt “lifeless.” Here’s a look at her journey to adulthood.
Veteran actress Kim Basinger shares her only child, Ireland Baldwin, with award-winning actor Alec Baldwin. Growing up in the public eye, Ireland faced early exposure to the spotlight, which often led to controversy. Now, she has stepped into a new chapter of life as a parent herself.
Kim and Alec married in August 1993, and two years later, in October 1995, they welcomed their daughter, Ireland. Just three days after her birth, Alec was already fighting to protect her privacy from relentless paparazzi.
Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin attend a wedding on September 9, 1995, in Southampton, New York. | Source: Getty Images
The intense public scrutiny surrounding Ireland began almost immediately. Kim and Alec arrived home with their newborn daughter shortly after her birth, only to find freelance photographer Alan Zanger recording from across the street.
The actor reportedly confronted Zanger, saying, “I don’t mind if you film me, but I don’t want you filming the baby.” The situation quickly escalated, with Alec accused of battery after allegedly striking the photographer.
Zanger, no stranger to controversy, had previously faced attacks and fines for his aggressive pursuit of celebrity images. This incident was just the beginning of the relentless media attention Ireland would face throughout her life.
Despite her early experiences with intense media attention, she found herself back in the spotlight at age 11. In 2007, a private voicemail from her famous father made headlines when he called her “a rude, thoughtless, little pig.” The incident quickly spiraled into a scandal, temporarily costing Alec, who divorced Kim in 2002, his visitation rights.
Daily News newspaper pictured on April 22, 2007 | Source: Getty Images
However, his daughter later offered a different perspective. In a 2012 interview at 16, Ireland explained that her father’s words came from frustration, “The only problem with that voice mail was that people made it out to be a way bigger deal than it was.”
Hilaria Thomas, Alec, and Ireland Baldwin attend the Group For The East End’s 40th Anniversary Benefit and Auctionat Wolffer Estate Vineyard on June 23, 2012, in Sagaponack, New York. | Source: Getty Images
She recalled simply calling him back and saying, “‘Sorry Dad, I didn’t have my phone,’” and they moved on. Looking back, Ireland divulged that she and her father even joked about the controversy, nearly turning it into a comedic YouTube sketch.
Ireland Baldwin pictured at Los Angeles International Airport on December 10, 2012, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
She empathized with the “30 Rock” alum’s frustration toward the paparazzi, saying, “My dad has been going through it for so long, I can see how he gets frustrated,” and acknowledged that if her own career in showbiz took off, she might feel the same way.
Ireland Baldwin and Hilaria Thomas at Streets of Manhattan on June 30, 2012, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Determined to create her own path, Ireland said in another interview, “I don’t want to forever be known as ‘that rude thoughtless little pig’ or ‘Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger’s kid.’ I have passions and interests of my own that I want to give life to.”
Kim Basinger and Ireland Baldwin photographed at Los Angeles International Airport on December 10, 2012, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Ireland’s desire to forge her own identity led her to pursue a career in modeling and acting, following in her parents’ footsteps. She took her modeling aspirations to the next level in March 2013 by signing with the prestigious agency IMG, marking the milestone with a swimsuit spread in the New York Post.
Ireland Baldwin attends Madonna’s “Fashion Evolution” Pop-Up Exhibit on April 25, 2013, in Century City, California. | Source: Getty Images
By May of that year, the California native revealed in a People magazine photoshoot that Kim was her inspiration. Her mother encouraged her to explore modeling to see if it was the right fit, and Ireland discovered she loved it.
Kim, who also began her career as a model before becoming an Oscar-winning actress, advised her daughter to block out negative comments, “always keep positive,” and “be confident.”
Ireland Baldwin arrives at the 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on September 22, 2013, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Alec offered similar words of encouragement to his daughter, especially about maintaining confidence and ignoring critics. Embracing their advice, Ireland shared, “I want to be a healthy model, an inspirational model. I want people to look at me and be able to relate to my figure and relate to what I resemble.”
Alec and Ireland Baldwin at the 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on September 22, 2013, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Ireland’s commitment to making her own mark extended beyond the runway. In 2018, at 22 years old, she followed in Kim’s footsteps by posing nude for PETA, 24 years after her mother’s iconic 1994 campaign for the animal-rights group.
Ireland Baldwin attends Jeffrey Sanker’s 2018 White Party on April 28, 2018, in Palm Springs, California. | Source: Getty Images
Ireland shared that seeing her mother’s PETA campaign images as a child inspired her to participate in the cause. She expressed a deep commitment to continuing Kim’s lifelong advocacy for animal rights and aimed to carry on that legacy through her own efforts.
Ireland Baldwin attends the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Festival on September 21, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images
The actress’s passion for self-expression extended beyond her advocacy work. In 2022, she made a bold statement by debuting a platinum blonde buzz cut. Sharing the transformation online, she confidently captioned her post, “Don’t tell me I won’t do something because I will.”
