Sterling K Brown maintains he shares photos of his sons online for a serious reason. The actor says the decision is intentional, explaining that increased visibility could help protect them in a world where Black individuals often face discrimination.
Still, Brown draws a firm boundary in public, enforcing a strict no-photo rule so his children can enjoy normal moments without cameras.
While many celebrities shy away from putting their children in the spotlight, Brown is taking a different approach for a very specific reason.
Speaking with Dax Shepard on the “Armchair Expert” podcast, Brown revealed that he shares photos of his sons as a form of protection. Shepard noted that he takes the opposite route, choosing not to post his own children online.
“Your children are obviously White. My children are Black,” Brown said during a recent episode, per PEOPLE. “I feel like the more I put them on social, the safer they are.”
Although Brown didn’t spell it out directly, his comments appeared to reference the discrimination Black people can face from authorities. He suggested that a level of public recognition or perceived access could help ensure his children “make it home.”
The Actor Enforces No-Photo Rule With His Kids
Despite his openness about sharing photos online, Brown makes sure his children have privacy when it matters most.
The actor revealed that he enforces a strict no-photo policy whenever he is out in public with his family.
“If I am out with Ryan and the boys, we have a policy of no pictures,” Brown said, referring to his sons Amaré and Andrew, whom he shares with his wife, Ryan Michelle Bathé.
“The policy is because they deserve to have a regular night out. It’s their time,” he added. “Because Ry and I have a certain amount of spotlight or whatnot, doesn’t mean that they should receive less of us.”
Sterling K Brown Shares How He And His Wife Parent
Brown has also opened up about how he and his wife manage parenting while balancing demanding careers in Hollywood. With both him and Bathé working as actors, the couple prioritizes making sure one parent is always present with their children while the other is on set.
The arrangement was even reflected during their time on “Paradise” Season Two, where they did not share any scenes, so one of them could remain home with their sons.
“I always try to make it so that, okay, when Ryan’s at work, I get a chance to be at home with the kids,” Brown said at Shipt’s New York City pop-up on April 24. “I’m at work, she’s at home with the kids.”
Reflecting on the setup, he added, “It makes sense,” though he did not specify who ends up spending more time at home.
Brown Says Kids Aren’t ‘Versions’ Of Parents
Brown and Bathé have long been intentional about how they approach parenting. Even before their children were born, the couple agreed on a guiding principle centered on allowing their kids to grow into who they naturally are, rather than shaping them in their own image.
Speaking to PEOPLE in September 2024, Brown explained, “There’s this idea I think that both of us agree on, most of the time, is that they’re not to be molded into versions of us. That they kind of are who they are when they come to you.”
“And we’re just trying to shepherd them to become the best version of who they already are, right?” he added.
Sterling K. Brown Says Wife Almost Broke Parenting Rule
Brown added a lighthearted twist to his parenting reflections by recalling a moment when his wife really bent one of their rules. According to the “This Is Us” star, Bathé briefly tried to steer one of their sons toward dance.
“Ryan tried to make [our son] into a dancer for a hot second,” he said. “He’s a very good dancer, a very good dancer, and he looked around in ballet class, and he’s like, ‘I’m the only dude. I’m out.’”
Bathé, who joined him for the interview, said she had no regrets about the experience, describing it as “so cute” and “so sweet.”
