Hilaria Baldwin is finally speaking out about the ongoing debate surrounding her Spanish accent.
The yoga instructor and mother of seven is tackling the criticism head-on in her new TLC reality series, The Baldwins, where she shares her perspective on growing up bilingual and why she believes her speech patterns are completely natural.
Embracing a Multicultural Identity
At 41, Hilaria—whose birth name is Hillary Hayward-Thomas—has faced skepticism over the years regarding her accent.
Born and raised in an affluent Boston neighborhood, she has often been questioned about why she frequently speaks with a Spanish inflection in interviews.
In the show, she explains that her connection to Spain runs deep, as her parents now reside in Majorca.
Although she grew up in the U.S., she insists that blending English and Spanish is just a part of who she is.
“My nuclear family now lives over in Spain,” she shares.
“I want my kids to feel proud of speaking more than one language.
Growing up bilingual is such a gift, and I don’t think it makes me inauthentic—it makes me normal.”
Facing Criticism and Finding Support
Hilaria acknowledges that the scrutiny surrounding her accent has been emotionally taxing.
She admits that public speculation about her authenticity has taken a toll, but she finds solace in her loved ones.
“I’d be lying if I said it didn’t hurt,” she confesses.
“It’s been tough at times, but my family, my friends, and my community—people who speak multiple languages and have lived in different places—understand that the way we sound is shaped by our experiences.
That’s just being human.”
The Viral ‘Cucumber’ Moment
The controversy surrounding Hilaria’s accent first gained widespread attention in 2015 during a segment on the Today Show.
While demonstrating a gazpacho recipe, she appeared to forget the English word for cucumber, pausing and asking, “How do you say in English? Cucumber.”
This moment, along with reports that she had previously listed her birthplace as Majorca on a talent agency’s website, fueled further skepticism.
Setting the Record Straight
In 2021, Hilaria took to Instagram to clarify her background, stating that while she was born in Boston, she spent parts of her childhood in both Massachusetts and Spain.
“There was a lot of back and forth my entire life,” she explained.
“I’m really lucky to have grown up speaking two languages, and I want my kids to have that experience too.
Having family abroad makes this even more important to me.”
However, public records indicate that her parents, attorney David Thomas and Harvard Medical School professor Kathryn Hayward, lived in Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood for decades, purchasing a home there in 1987 when Hilaria was just three.
Neighbors from the area recall her as a privileged child but do not remember her ever speaking with a Spanish accent.
The Baldwin Family and Their Spanish-Inspired Names
Despite the backlash, Hilaria and her husband, 30 Rock star Alec Baldwin, have fully embraced their Spanish connection by giving all seven of their children Spanish names.
Their kids—Carmen Gabriela, Rafael Thomas, Leonardo Ángel Charles, Romeo Alejandro David, Eduardo Pao Lucas, María Lucía Victoria, and Ilaria Catalina Irena—each carry a nod to the culture Hilaria holds dear.
Where to Watch The Baldwins
The new reality series, The Baldwins, premieres on Sunday, February 23, at 10/9c on TLC.
New episodes will air weekly and will also be available for streaming on Max.
Will Hilaria’s candid conversations finally put the debate to rest? Viewers will have to tune in to find out.