Rosie O’Donnell has recently revealed a significant and personal gesture in support of her youngest child, Clay, who has expressed a preference for they/them pronouns. On a recent episode of Amy Poehler’s podcast, ‘Good Hang’, the renowned comedian spoke candidly about the challenges she has faced in adapting to her child’s wishes, as well as the ways in which she has embraced this change.
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To serve as a permanent reminder of Clay’s pronouns, O’Donnell, 64, decided to get a tattoo featuring the word “they,” handwritten by Clay. During the podcast conversation, she recounted her struggle to remember to use the correct pronouns. “I tried my best, but I kept saying ‘she’,” O’Donnell confessed, mentioning how Clay would hold up a sign saying “they” when she slipped up, invoking a humorous analogy to the iconic scene from ‘Say Anything’ where John Cusack uses a boombox to profess his love.
O’Donnell’s decision to get the tattoo was both an act of love and a practical solution to her struggles with memory around pronouns. She shared how she took Clay to a tattoo shop where the tattoo was inked onto her wrist. “I thought she’d be very touched; she didn’t give two s–ts,” O’Donnell remarked, reflecting on her child’s indifferent reaction to the tattoo, illustrating both the light-hearted and heartfelt aspects of their relationship.
The comedian, who is also a mother of five children, indicated that her role as a parent has been a source of immense joy and resilience in her life. Along with Clay, O’Donnell has three other children: Parker, 31, Chelsea, 28, Blake, 26, and Vivienne, 23. Each of them plays a crucial role in her life, providing support through various challenges, including her daughter’s ongoing legal issues—Chelsea is currently serving an 18-month prison sentence for drug possession.
O’Donnell’s recent return to the stage with her one-woman show, ‘Common Knowledge’, showcased her storytelling prowess, drawing on her experiences as a mother and reflecting on the absence of her own mother. The performance, which took place at The Daryl Roth Theatre in New York City, saw a few of her children in attendance, demonstrating their steadfast support. After the show, O’Donnell’s daughter Vivienne, along with her son Blake and his wife Teresa, visited her backstage, where they made cherished memories together.
In a previous cover story with PEOPLE, O’Donnell expressed her lifelong aspiration to be a mother, sharing how her children have profoundly shaped her life. “All I wanted my whole life was to have a bunch of kids,” she stated, acknowledging that parenting five children was more than she initially anticipated when she began adopting in her thirties.
She reflected on the powerful bond she shares with her children, stating, “People sometimes say, ‘That’s so great of you that you adopted. You saved those kids.’ And I say, ‘No, no, no. Those kids saved me.’” This sentiment underscores the reciprocal nature of love and growth between O’Donnell and her children, highlighting how they have helped her find stability and happiness amidst personal struggles.
O’Donnell also touched upon her family dynamics, emphasising the ways that her upbringing differed from that of her children. She noted the importance of openly expressing affection, something she lacked in her own childhood. This change is evident in the way she prioritises love and affirmation within her family. “When I see them and I’m leaving, I go, ‘I love you,’” she explained, illustrating her commitment to creating a nurturing environment for her children.
Through her personal journey and the evolving relationship with her children, Rosie O’Donnell continues to navigate the complexities of modern parenthood, demonstrating adaptability, love, and resilience in a world that is continually changing.