“It’s been really fun being pregnant together.”
R&B singer Mario is about to welcome his first child with girlfriend Esmeralda Rios.
The 39-year-old, best known for his songs “Let Me Love You” and “How Do I Breathe,” made the announcement on his Instagram Stories on Aug. 27 — which also happens to be his birthday.
“It’s a whole universe in there!” he wrote over a video of him placing his hand on Rios’ baby bump, according to People. “I can’t wait.”
RELATED: NFL rookie Travis Hunter and wife Leanna De La Fuente welcome baby boy. ‘Dear son…’
The Shade Room was one of the first to report the baby news on Aug. 26 after Rios shared photos of her baby bump on her own Instagram page, which has been kept private.
In one photo, Mario — whose real name is Mario Dewar Barrett — cradles his girlfriend’s baby bump from behind. Another photo shows Mario kissing Rios’ baby bump.
“Whoopsss… I ate too many brownies,” Rios captioned the post, according to The Shade Room.
The pregnancy announcement comes amid a career resurgence for one of R&B’s legends from the 2000s.
The singer released his first studio album in six years, “Glad You Came,” in December and was named the runner-up of “The Masked Singer” later that month, according to Rolling Out.
The baby news also corresponded with the release of his newest single “Folded,” a remix of Kehlani’s song released earlier this year. He announced the remix on his birthday.
He has since posted several photos and videos of him hanging out by the beach and pool as he continues to celebrate his birthday.
In one video posted on Aug. 27, Mario has his hand on Rios’ baby bump as they sit on a couch.
Singer Mario shared his thoughts on fatherhood two years ago
Not much is known about Mario and Rios’ relationship, but Mario has spoken about fatherhood before.
In an interview with V-103 Atlanta in August 2023, Mario Barrett opened up about how growing up with fatherhood has affected his own view of becoming a father — even if it means waiting.
“I don’t take having kids lightly,” he said in the interview.
“Everybody I know [has] kids. Some of my friends [that are] younger have kids, some of my friends [that are] older have kids, and it comes with a lot of pros and cons,” he continued.
Mario added: “And I also grew up without a father. So, I want to do it right when I do do it. You know, I got time. So, I’m not rushing into that.”
He also opened up about how his birthdays always coincide with something big.
“You know, it’s crazy. Everytime around my birthday something big is happening and I end up canceling my body trip or I end up canceling this trip,” he told V-103.
ALSO ON MOD MOMS CLUB: ‘Jersey Shore’ cast congratulates Sammi 'Sweetheart' Giancola after welcoming rainbow baby
Now two years — and one pregnancy announcement — later and it appears Mario’s take on his birthday still rings true.
