Julia Roberts Says It’s Been “Amazing” Watching Her Twins Hazel and Phinnaeus Grow Up as She Reflects on Their 21st Birthday
Julia Roberts has played many roles over the course of her career — movie star, award-winning actress, Hollywood icon — but the one she has always spoken about with the greatest pride is motherhood. And at the 2025 Gotham Film Awards, Roberts allowed the world a rare glimpse into that deeply personal part of her life when she reflected on her twins, Hazel and Phinnaeus, turning 21. It was a milestone that seemed to hit the actress with a wave of nostalgia, warmth, and quiet amazement.
Roberts has long been known for her desire to keep her family life private. She and her husband, cinematographer Daniel Moder, have raised their three children largely away from the cameras, choosing a life rooted in normalcy rather than spotlight spectacle. That’s why any moment in which Roberts openly speaks about her kids feels especially meaningful — and this one carried the tenderness of a mother marveling at the passage of time.
On the red carpet, Roberts looked radiant, smiling as she spoke about her twins reaching adulthood. But beneath the bright lights and the hum of photographers, there was a softness in her expression that only a parent reflecting on the last two decades could have. “It’s amazing,” she said simply, letting the weight of that word carry its layers — joy, surprise, pride, and maybe just a hint of disbelief that so many years had gone by so quickly.
The public has always seen Roberts as a grounded person, someone whose stardom never eclipsed her sense of home. Those who have worked with her often describe her as warm, centered, and full of laughter — qualities that naturally spill into the way she speaks about motherhood. And in this moment, when she paused to look back on Hazel and Phinnaeus’s journey from childhood to adulthood, fans were reminded of the universal truth that children grow faster than anyone ever expects.
Hazel and Phinnaeus were born in November 2004, at a time when Roberts was already one of the biggest stars in the world. Yet she has repeatedly said that motherhood changed her more profoundly than fame ever could. In interviews throughout the years, she has spoken about learning patience, slowing down, and seeing life through a gentler lens because of her kids. What made her reflections at the Gotham Awards feel even more emotional was the knowledge that she had lived those experiences fully, often far away from Hollywood, in quiet, family-focused rhythms.
Photos of Hazel and Phinnaeus through the years — the few shared publicly — paint the portrait of children raised with love and intention. Roberts and Moder were deliberate about giving them space to grow without overwhelming outside pressure. And now, seeing them at 21, stepping into adulthood, the actress radiates the kind of pride that only comes from witnessing years of small, everyday moments add up to something beautiful.
Her comments also come at a time when many Hollywood parents are navigating what it means to see their children come of age. But Roberts has always approached these milestones with centered gratitude. She has never treated motherhood as a storyline or a publicity tool. Instead, she treats it like the grounding force of her life — something that has shaped her far more deeply than any film ever could.
When asked about how the twins have changed, Roberts reflected with a knowing smile. She didn’t offer dramatic anecdotes or elaborate details; instead, she spoke the way many parents do when their children reach a meaningful milestone — with affection in her voice and memories clearly flashing behind her eyes. She described the experience of watching Hazel and Phinnaeus grow as “amazing,” a word that carries the awe of someone who doesn’t take any moment for granted.
Her gratitude is palpable, too, for Moder, the father of her children and her partner of over two decades. Their relationship, built outside the frenzy often associated with celebrity unions, has long been anchored in shared values about family. Moder has occasionally posted glimpses of their kids on Instagram — sunlit outdoor moments, family snapshots, and proud photos that echo the same warmth Roberts carries in her voice. It was one of Moder’s posts that captured the twins smiling, growing, stepping confidently into adulthood, and it resonated deeply with fans who rarely get to see this side of their family.
At the Gotham Awards, Roberts didn’t dwell on the fact that her children are now adults. Instead, she focused on the beauty of having watched them grow. It was not about the milestone itself, but about the years that built it — the small triumphs, the evolving personalities, the shared memories that shaped each of them into who they are today. She spoke like a parent who has been fully present, one who cherishes the journey rather than rushing past it.
She also expressed the pride of seeing Hazel and Phinnaeus step into the world with curiosity and independence. At 21, they are now able to choose their own paths, whether in academics, the arts, or pursuits far from the entertainment spotlight. Roberts has said in previous interviews that she never pushed her children toward Hollywood and would support them wherever their passions lead. Knowing that the choice is theirs — not influenced by fame, expectations, or public pressure — is a testament to the quiet, thoughtful way she has approached motherhood.
The Gotham Awards moment was brief, but it carried the emotion of an entire lifetime. Roberts didn’t try to hide that it moved her; she embraced the nostalgia with grace. There was no trace of sadness in her reflection — only gratitude and wonder. It was the kind of authenticity fans have long admired in her, whether on screen or in the rare glimpses she offers into her personal world.
The actress will likely continue keeping her home life private, but her openness in this moment offered something sweet and grounding. It reminded audiences that even the biggest stars experience the same universal moments — children growing up, milestones arriving too quickly, and parents pausing to soak in the changes. It’s a chapter that millions of families experience, but hearing Roberts describe it made it feel both relatable and deeply heartfelt.
As Hazel and Phinnaeus step into adulthood, Roberts appears ready to support them with the same steadiness she always has. And while she may be amazed at how quickly the years passed, she seems equally amazed at the young adults her children have become. That combination — heartfelt reflection and genuine admiration — is what made her words at the Gotham Awards resonate so deeply.
In a career full of celebrated performances, this moment wasn’t about acting at all. It was about real emotion, real family, and the quiet realization that time is both fleeting and profoundly beautiful. And for Julia Roberts, a mother first and a superstar second, that realization is one she carries with grace, gratitude, and endless love.
