If Carrie Fisher were alive today, she would likely be thrilled to learn that she is about to gain another grandchild. Carrie’s only child, Billie Lourd, revealed that she and husband Austen Rydell are expecting their second child at the premiere of her new film, Ticket to Paradise.
Both Austen and Billie come from long lines of Hollywood royalty. Austen’s father is actor Christopher Rydell. His grandfather is director Mark Rydell, best known for his film The Long Goodbye. Billie is the only daughter of Carrie Fisher and talent agent Bryan Lourd. Her grandparents are the late Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher. Billie’s godmother is Meryl Streep.
Billie and Austen’s baby will continue this lovely lineage. Billie debuted her bump on the red carpet. She wore a sparkling pink sequined dress that accentuated her growing belly.
Billie’s new film, Ticket to Paradise, is a romantic comedy that tells the story of a divorced couple who team up to stop their daughter, Lily, from marrying, something they view as a mistake. In the process, they might just get a second chance at romance themselves. It stars George Clooney and Julia Roberts. Billie plays Wren Butler, the best friend of Lily.
Billie and Austen first started dating in 2016. They broke up for a time but reconnected in 2017. Austen proposed to Billie in 2019. He posted on Instagram to celebrate and announce their engagement: “ She said YES!! (Actually she said “Duhhh”) But I guess that’s even better than yes?!? .”
The couple were married in 2022. The ceremony took place in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Austen wrote on Instagram on March 15: “Married my best friend this weekend.”
Prior to their marriage, the couple announced on September 24, 2020, the birth of their first child. They had not previously shared about the pregnancy, so this came as a surprise to many. Billie posted on Instagram: " Introducing: Kingston Fisher Lourd Rydell ."
Kingston’s full name is in honor of his late grandmother Carrie Fisher. Billie and Carrie were incredibly close. She still misses her mom every day.
Billie learned about motherhood in her interactions with mom Carrie. Some of the lessons were complicated. Carrie struggled with mental illness and addiction, causing daughter Billie to grow up fast.
Billie told Today, "There’s a lot of things that my mom taught me to do and then there’s a lot that is, honestly, it might be more valuable, of what not to do." Billie does not want to make the same mistakes with her children. She added, “I was her mother, I was her kid, I was her everything. And that’s one of the things I’m learning not to do with my kid."
Despite all this, Billie loved her mother, flaws and all. She said, “We laughed every single day, and she made my life so much fun.” Billie hopes to continue this joy in her own motherhood journey. She said, “Being a mother is the greatest thing that's ever happened to me.”
