Actress Renee Lyons became a global internet sensation after a skit she did for Jono and Ben went viral. Spoofing the infamous BBC interview that was gatecrashed by a political correspondent’s two children, the clip featured the 800 Words and Filthy Rich star as a multitasking mother who was feeding a baby, cooking a chicken, cleaning a toilet and defusing a bomb, all while discussing foreign policy on live TV.
And as if that wasn’t enough, unknown to viewers, Wellington-born Renee was pregnant with twins – a boy and a girl – when she filmed it!
“I was 18 weeks along and in the throes of some gnarly morning sickness,” confesses the 41-year-old actress, who is now 31 weeks into her pregnancy. “Maybe if we do a sequel, I’ll give birth in the next one!”
However, what is perhaps more extraordinary is that just a year earlier, after visiting a fertility clinic, Renee had given up on the idea of ever having children.
“I’d been worried about my fertility since I was 33,” the Funny Girls star admits to Woman’s Day.
“Two years ago, I was single and went to a clinic to ask about my options. They put the wind up me.
“They said that at the age of 38, you had only a 12% chance of getting pregnant if you go through IVF. They were bleak statistics and I got a bit freaked out, but by the time I was 40, I’d made peace with it.”
But then – as she was preparing to put on her one-woman show Tinderella, about the perils of online dating – Renee met her partner through a mutual friend. As romance blossomed, they talked about wanting to start a family but figured it was unlikely. A year and a half into their relationship, though, the actress had a funny feeling.
“I took a pregnancy test and when it came up positive, I threw it across the room!” recalls Renee. “It wasn’t a mistake, but we weren’t actively trying. It came as a complete shock. We were both quite spun out about it for a while.”
They were even more surprised to discover they were expecting twins, but delight soon kicked in – as did Renee’s morning sickness. She tells, “In the beginning, it was like having salmonella every day. I was vomiting up to 10 times. I was so exhausted, I couldn’t move.
“I guess I should have expected it as my mum had it for the whole nine months and with two babies, the hormone levels are even higher, but this has been one of the most challenging years of my life.”
Renee’s obstetrician recommended she stop all work, so the actress sadly abandoned plans for a solo theatre show and pulled out of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival.
However, she did continue with her role as Brenda on 800 Words, although she asked for her hours to be reduced and she’s still writing a feature film when not wrapped around the toilet bowl.
Renee channels her inner Beyonce.
Determined to inject some fun into her life, Renee announced her pregnancy on Facebook with a post parodying Beyoncé, who had revealed she was expecting twins just days earlier.
Alongside a cheeky bump picture, she wrote, “I will not be outdone by Beyoncé and Jay Z. I will not be outdone by George and Amal. I’m thrilled to announce I’m also pregnant with twins. I have no belly yet, but here I am in my green veil, cradling the last flap of skin that remains from an eight-week-long spew fest.”
Grinning, Renee says now, “I was feeling so bleak at that point. Mentally, physically and hormonally, it had been a rough three months, so I was just trying two give myself a laugh – and it worked!
“Everyone was very supportive and congratulatory, although I’d lost about five kilos so you couldn’t tell I was pregnant. Beyoncé had this big belly, but I just looked ropey.”
Renee confesses she’s done little in the way of planning for her upcoming arrivals, but her 800 Words co-star Anna Jullienne, who gave birth to her second son Jude in November, has given her a huge bag of clothes and her actress friend Morgana O’Reilly, of Neighbours fame, has dropped by with her baby daughter Luna to share tales of motherhood.
“I’ve been given so much amazing stuff and great advice, although it’s a whole different ball game with twins – I’ve heard some horror stories!” smiles Renee.
“I’d be lying if I said I’m not filled with terror because I am, but I’m looking forward to all the cuddles. I know I’ve been moaning about how hard it’s been, but this is exactly what I wanted for my life, so I’m very fortunate.”
