Nick Lachey may have shot to fame as a member of one of the most iconic pop groups of the ’90s, but he and Vanessa Lachey’s three children — sons Camden, 11, and Phoenix, 7, and daughter Brooklyn, 8 — didn’t think he was cool until he started Masked singer.
In a performance at The Ellen DeGeneres Showthe former 98 Degrees singer and his wife spoke with guest host Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss about how he earned his kids’ seal of approval.
“Do your kids understand who you are? Do they know you’re famous?” tWitch asked.
“I think they’re starting,” Nick said of his children. “But they don’t care. I’ll be singing around the house and my son will say, ‘Dad stop singing, stop singing.’ ”
– And you say ‘my singing brought you a roof over your head’ – added Vanessa.
Vanessa Lachey’s Instagram
“It’s funny, they don’t care about 98 degrees, they don’t care about all that stuff. But when I Masked singer, that was the moment dad became cool with the kids,” Nick continued. “I had to dress up as a pig and sing on national television to be cool with my kids. All that is needed.”
In 2021, Nick and Vanessa moved their family to Hawaii after the actress landed the lead role in NCIS: Hawaii. When Vanessa is filming, Nick is on “daddy duty.” The singer and his three children often spend their days at the pool, riding or surfing.
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Vanessa Lachey/Instagram
The proud parents also shared photos of their family vacations on Instagram, including a trip to Kiawah Island, South Carolina in June 2023. Pictured are Nick and Vanessa, their three children, and extended family. “2 families, 6 children, LOTS of laughter and good times!!!” Vanessa wrote in the description.
Here’s everything you need to know about Nick and Vanessa Lachey’s children: Camden, Brooklyn and Phoenix.
Camden John Lachey, 11
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Vanessa Lachey’s Instagram
Camden John is their eldest son, born on September 12, 2012.
“We are incredibly proud to announce the birth of our beautiful baby boy, Camden John Lachey,” the Lacheys told PEOPLE in a statement. “Born today at 6:54 p.m., he came into this world at 8 lbs. 9 oz. and 21 inches. Love has truly been redefined for both of us.”
Like his father, Camden has a confident stage presence. During the 2019 98 Degrees concert, Nick pulled Camden out on stage to help celebrate his seventh birthday, and the band and audience sang “Happy Birthday” to him.
Nick also revealed that Camden may have inherited the musical gene.
“Cam is especially into music and singing,” Nick told PEOPLE. “You never want to force your kids to do what you do, but it’s nice when they naturally gravitate to the same passions you have.”
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Nick Lachey’s Instagram
In February 2022, Nick posted on Instagram, detailing the father and son’s love for the Cincinnati Bengals. The photos show Camden sitting on his father’s lap, with Nick kissing his head.
“While yesterday’s game obviously didn’t go the way I wanted it to, I wouldn’t change a thing,” Lachey wrote in the caption. “Sharing that Super Bowl experience with my son was magical. I’m sure we’ll have many more exciting #Bengal games!! Forever and ever #whodey.”
Brooklyn Elisabeth Lachey, 8
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Nick Lachey’s Instagram
Nick and Vanessa’s daughter, Brooklyn Elisabeth, arrived on January 5, 2015.
“I’ve been dreaming of this moment for as long as I can remember, the day I got to meet my little girl,” Vanessa wrote on her website. “A friend recently told me that today is going to be magical because it’s the day I’m going to meet my best friend. I can’t even describe how it felt to hold her for the first time. Mom, Dad, and big brother Cam already love you so much , Brooklyn!”
Vanessa later spoke to PEOPLE about her daughter. “She’s super intuitive, very smart and very sweet. When I see my little girl, I couldn’t be more grateful to have her and to be her mom,” Vanessa said. “[The kids] they have these wonderful personality traits and I love watching them grow and look up to me.”
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Vanessa Lachey’s Instagram
Vanessa also said she was touched to see Nick as the “best dad” in Brooklyn.
“If I could intertwine a finger with a hand and eyes and legs, that’s how they are,” she added. “They are thick as thieves and I couldn’t be more proud. Her relationship with her father will be one that I believe defines her as a woman.”
On January 5, 2022, the proud parents celebrated Brooklyn’s 8th birthday with sweet posts on Instagram. Nick shared a series of photos of his daughter growing up, including an adorable look back at Brooklyn as a baby riding an animal on a merry-go-round. In the caption, he wrote: “I couldn’t love you more or be more proud of you. No matter how old you get, you will always be my little girl. Please keep being who you are!!!”
Meanwhile, Vanessa posted a cute video of the little girl standing with two horses in the snow. “You bring out the best in me and I will love you forever! YOU are my magic!” the mother of three wrote in the description.
January 14, 2023 Vanessa took to her Instagram Story to share a sweet photo of Nick kissing Brooklyn before the dance. “Daddy’s first daughter dancing and I’m a mess,” Vanessa wrote alongside the photo.
In another clip, Nick placed a red lei around Brookyln’s neck. “Hawai’i style❤️,” the proud mom wrote.
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Presley Ann/Getty
In August 2023, Nick, Vanessa and Brooklyn attended one of Taylor Swift’s concerts at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
“🫶🏽 @taylorswift A night to remember forever! Thank you @sofi & @people for this amazing moment! A key memory was DEFINITELY made! 👯♀️🪩🤠,” Vanessa wrote on Instagram alongside a series of photos from Brooklyn .
Phoenix Robert Lachey, 7
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Vanessa Lachey’s Instagram
The couple’s third child, Phoenix Robert, was born on December 24, 2016.
“It is indeed a merry Christmas!” Vanessa wrote on Instagram, captioning a photo of her new son’s tiny hand holding her fingers. “We experienced our Christmas Miracle. Phoenix Robert Lachey decided to make an early appearance and was born on Christmas Eve. Mom, Dad, Camden and Brooklyn LOVE you so much!”
Phoenix was born 10 weeks premature and later contracted respiratory syncytial virus, causing him to be hospitalized shortly after birth.
“He’s smaller, but he’s healthy. He’s so happy,” Vanessa said in 2018. “Brooklyn and Camden have been standing and walking a little bit at this point, and he’s nowhere near that. And I’m okay with that because every kid has their time and their moment, and instead of thinking about what he doesn’t do, we just live and enjoy what he does.”
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Vanessa Lachey’s Instagram
“He’s the happiest, most joyful kid ever,” Nick added.
In 2019, Vanessa told PEOPLE that the family goes out for the holidays, and it’s an even more special time since Phoenix’s birthday falls during the holiday season.
“We always like to keep our family traditions going during the holidays, but I think they become even more special because Phoenix was born on Christmas Eve,” she said. “I just love being home with my family. Honestly, it’s go, go, go all year long and it’s really nice that everything closes during the holidays.”
In December 2023, both Vanessa and Nick celebrated their youngest’s 7th birthday with a loving Instagram post together. “He is our baby miracle that we never take for granted,” the proud parents wrote alongside a series of photos of Phoenix. “A piece of our family puzzle, the one that makes us whole…the cherry on top!”
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Source: HIS Education