Brenda Song may be enjoying a happy and grounded life with fiancé Macaulay Culkin and their two young sons, but fame still comes with challenges—especially when it affects their children. While both actors are deeply familiar with the spotlight, navigating public attention as parents has proven far more complicated than dealing with it as celebrities.
Song recently opened up about how paparazzi encounters have impacted their eldest son, revealing that the three-year-old finds the constant cameras frightening and confusing. The experience has only strengthened the couple’s commitment to keeping their children’s lives as private and normal as possible.
A Special Family Moment That Came With Unexpected Stress
One of the most meaningful moments for the family came in December 2023, when Macaulay Culkin was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. For the former child star, the ceremony marked a full-circle moment decades after becoming one of the most recognizable faces in film history.
Song and Culkin decided it was important for their children—Dakota, now 3, and Carson, now 2—to be part of the celebration. Song described the day as deeply emotional and unforgettable, emphasizing that they didn’t want their kids to miss such a milestone in their father’s life.
However, what was meant to be a joyful family memory turned overwhelming for their eldest son. Surrounded by photographers and flashing cameras, the toddler struggled to understand what was happening.
“He was so scared of all the cameras,” Song shared, explaining that the situation made it clear just how intense public attention can feel through a child’s eyes.
Why the Couple Chooses Privacy Over Publicity
Song explained that moments like the Walk of Fame ceremony are exactly why she and Culkin work so hard to keep their kids out of the spotlight. Unlike their parents, Dakota and Carson didn’t choose a public life—and they certainly didn’t choose to be photographed.
At their age, the presence of photographers isn’t just intrusive—it’s incomprehensible. Song noted that her children couldn’t grasp why strangers were taking pictures or why so much attention was focused on their family.
That confusion has followed them into everyday activities as well. During a seemingly normal moment at soccer practice, the family encountered paparazzi once again, triggering another difficult conversation.
“Why Is That Man Taking Pictures of You?”
One particular moment stood out to Song as especially heartbreaking. During the soccer practice incident, her son innocently asked why someone was taking photos of her.
“Why is that man taking pictures of you, mama?” he asked.
For Song, the question highlighted the emotional line between fame and family. While she’s long accepted public attention as part of her career, seeing it through her child’s perspective changed everything.
She made it clear that she doesn’t mind being photographed herself—but when it comes to her kids, it’s a completely different story. They didn’t ask for fame, recognition, or public scrutiny.
That reality weighs heavily on both parents, especially given their own experiences growing up in the entertainment industry.
Growing Up Famous—and Wanting Something Different
Both Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin rose to fame at a very young age. Culkin became one of the most famous child actors in the world thanks to films like Home Alone, Uncle Buck, and Richie Rich. His face became synonymous with childhood stardom in the 1990s.
Song, meanwhile, became a defining presence for an entire generation through her Disney Channel roles, most notably The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. Her early career placed her firmly in the public eye during her formative years.
Because of that shared history, the couple is acutely aware of the pressures and complications that come with growing up famous. Rather than shielding their kids out of fear, they’re making a conscious effort to give them a sense of normalcy—something both parents know firsthand can be difficult to maintain.
A Low-Key Love Story
Despite their Hollywood status, Song and Culkin’s relationship is refreshingly grounded. Song often refers to Culkin affectionately as “Mack” and describes their day-to-day life as surprisingly ordinary.
She recently shared a humorous story that perfectly captures their dynamic. After dropping their son off at preschool, Song and Culkin found themselves sitting in a Costco parking lot—before the store had even opened.
For Culkin, the moment was both amusing and surreal. Wearing Crocs and waiting outside a warehouse store, he jokingly marveled at how much his life had changed since they started dating.
Song, amused by his disbelief, teased him in return, turning the moment into a playful exchange that reflects how far removed their real life is from Hollywood stereotypes.
When Real Life Meets Career Opportunity
The Costco parking lot moment took an unexpected turn when Song received a call from her agent. When asked what she was doing, Song candidly admitted she was sitting in her car waiting for Costco to open.
Her agent’s response was immediate—and humorous—suggesting it was time to get her another job.
That call eventually led Song to her role in The Last Showgirl, a project that marks an exciting new chapter in her career. The film features an impressive ensemble cast and allows Song to step into a more mature, layered role that reflects where she is in life now—both professionally and personally.
Protecting Childhood Above All Else
For Song and Culkin, parenting has reshaped their relationship with fame. While both remain active in the entertainment industry, their priority is ensuring their children feel safe, secure, and free to grow up without unnecessary pressure.
Encounters with paparazzi have reinforced just how important that boundary is. Even joyful milestones can become overwhelming when cameras intrude, and the couple remains firm in their belief that their kids deserve privacy above all else.
As Song continues to balance motherhood with a thriving career—and as Culkin enjoys a more selective approach to public life—their focus remains clear: protecting their children’s sense of normalcy in a world that often struggles to respect it.