Joey Lawrence, the former 1990s celebrity teen heartthrob best known for playing Joey Russo on the 1990s sitcom Blossom is about to be a dad again. This time to a baby boy with actress wife Samantha Cope, after the couple quietly called off their 2024 split and reconciled late last year.
The new baby will be their second child together and Lawrence’s fourth overall. According to People Magazine, the pair shared the news on November 11 at Dancing With the Stars’ 20th birthday party taping, turning the milestone episode into a family milestone too. Cameras caught them on the special red carpet, where Cope’s baby bump made its debut as they confirmed the pregnancy.
Rebuilding a marriage in public
The reason this is potentially such a positive story is because back in 2024, the couple’s story appeared to be heading in a very different direction. With Cope allegedly filing for a divorce in August, and asking for primary physical custody of their daughter at the time. The petition for divorce was allegedly withdrew December 2024.
In reports from People Magazine and E! News, the alleged split came after a rough patch. Sparking rumors about Lawrence’s behaviour with actress Melina Alvers, who publicly denied having any romantic relationship with him.
When talking about the latest turn of events, Lawrence joked “nothing is planned. Not even this,” to Entertainment Tonight as he pointed at Cope’s baby bump. He added, “this is not planned. No, I’m kidding. I’m kidding.” E! News reported the moment as a light, relaxed way to share news that clearly means a lot to both of them after such a tense period. Cope told the press she felt great and seemed calm in the middle of all the flashing lights. Just soaking it in.
A family divided, pulling it back together
Family history also plays a big role here, since Lawrence already shares two older daughters, Charleston and Liberty, with ex-wife Chandie Yawn-Nelson and daughter Dylan with Cope, making this baby boy his fourth child and first son. People Magazine reported that he has spoken on his Brotherly Love Podcast about how seriously he takes co-parenting with Yawn-Nelson and about keeping his older girls mostly out of the spotlight.
From their 2022 wedding to last year’s brief separation, multiple outlets including E! News and PopCulture.com have tracked every turn, yet the couple chose to signal their reconciliation themselves with that December Instagram caption, “I am beyond grateful,” under a cozy photo together. PopCulture.com notes that Cope formally dismissed the divorce filing just days before that post, closing one chapter before opening this new one.
When things nearly fell apart
When I think about how many celebrity breakups turn into public feuds and brand statements now, it is oddly reassuring to see two people step back from the edge, especially when kids are involved. People found that Lawrence recently called being a father his greatest honor and said he works hard to protect his daughters’ privacy even after four decades in the business.
Older fans who remember Blossom in its first run are now watching Lawrence step into a different kind of role, the middle-aged dad juggling grown daughters, a preschooler and a son on the way while still showing up at Hollywood events. Reports from Parade suggest that Cope, who has her own acting career, is equally focused on balancing work, motherhood and this very public second chance at marriage.
No due date has been shared yet, but Cope has said she feels great and has already confirmed they are expecting a boy, and reports from Parade, E! News and others say the whole blended family is excited about welcoming a little brother into the mix. For once, a Hollywood breakup story seems to be turning into something gentler, centered on kids, forgiveness and a new baby on the way.