Ashleigh Brewer Announces First Pregnancy, Reflects on Recovery and Hollywood Friendships
Australian actress Ashleigh Brewer, known for her roles in The Bold and the Beautiful and Neighbours, is set to embark on a new chapter as she and her husband, film producer Mark Bauch, prepare to welcome their first child. The 35-year-old star recently confirmed her pregnancy, proudly showcasing her baby bump for the first time and revealing she’s already in her third trimester.
“Yes, I’m pregnant. Which is so exciting – I’m going into my third trimester now,” Brewer shared in a candid conversation. Her return to the set of the long-running US daytime soap opera, The Bold and the Beautiful, where she reprises her role as Ivy Forrester, has been a unique experience as she navigates her pregnancy. She described the situation as a “grounding experience,” admitting that the production team has been adept at disguising her growing bump.
“I won’t give away all the secrets, but we cover the bump,” she explained. “It’s been an interesting peek behind the curtain. Depending on the scene, I’ll either wear clothes that conceal my bump or I’ll hold a bag in front of me.” Brewer added with a chuckle, “But it’s funny, in between ‘action’ and ‘cut’, I really forget that I’m pregnant and then I’ll have a director whisper into my microphone, ‘Ashleigh, you’re just rubbing your tummy.’ It’s been such a grounding experience, actually.”
Brewer first joined the cast of The Bold and the Beautiful in 2014, departing in 2018 before making a welcome return in 2024. Her career also includes a beloved stint on the Australian soap Neighbours.
A Journey of Recovery and Strength
Beyond the exciting news of her pregnancy, Brewer also opened up about a significant personal journey: her recovery from an eating disorder. She revealed that at the age of 18, she developed bulimia and struggled with anorexia, describing the mindset as a “best friend” during her early years living independently in Melbourne and starting her career.
Now five years into her recovery, Brewer feels “really strong” as she embraces motherhood. “Where I’ve been and where I am now truly is night and day,” she stated. “I’m so happy to be pregnant without also battling those voices and that darkness. The fact that I have five years and will continue to stack years of recovery away from my eating disorders means that my daughter also won’t be mirroring behaviours that are unhealed in me.” She expressed immense gratitude for her return to The Bold and the Beautiful, feeling “so lucky” to be back on set with colleagues she adores.
Adding another layer to her recovery, Brewer also shared that she has been sober for three years. “That was a part of my recovery journey,” she explained.
A Surprise Wedding and Close-Knit Celebrations
Brewer also offered a glimpse into her wedding to Mark Bauch, which took place in a low-key courthouse ceremony in Santa Barbara. The couple, who had been engaged for two years, decided on a spontaneous celebration. “We couldn’t quite figure out how to do a wedding and where to do it,” she said. “He’s English, I’m Australian and we live in Los Angeles. In the end, we organised the wedding in nine days. We had a date set at the Santa Barbara courthouse and we just committed to it.”
The intimate affair had a strict guest list of 10, requiring them to select their closest friends. Mark’s parents and Brewer’s mother, who flew in from Australia, were also present. The bride’s attire was a simple white silk dress that “arrived in the mail two days before the wedding.” Reflecting on the day, Brewer expressed, “It was amazing. I honestly wouldn’t want to do it any other way.”
Hollywood’s Golden Girl and Cherished Friendships
Brewer also spoke about her “incredible friendship group,” which includes around 10 Australians who have been friends since their teenage years. This esteemed circle features notable figures like H2O: Just Add Water co-star Phoebe Tonkin and Neighbours and Barbie co-star Margot Robbie.
She effusively praised her close friend Margot Robbie, calling her “literally king of the world right now, and rightfully so.” Brewer shared her understanding of Robbie’s immense talent and work ethic, having witnessed it firsthand. “I keep reading the quotes from Jacob Elordi [Margot’s Wuthering Heights co-star] doting on her and [talking about] how she is on set. When the world reacted to that, I didn’t think twice because I’ve been on set with Margot and she was that amazing when she was 18.”
Brewer continued, “I’m just so happy for all the success she’s experiencing because anyone who knew her on Neighbours [knew] she worked harder than anyone. Her work ethic is second to none. And if you can believe it, she’s even better than she appears or what people say in magazines. She’s just one in a bazillion, that woman.”
