She’s had a rocky few years, but Lauryn Goodman says she’s finally finding some peace in her life after a long period of legal battles, trolling and stress. The model and influencer – mum to Kairo, five, and Kinara, two – says, ‘I feel a sense that things are falling into place now and it feels good. Things feel calmer and more certain, it feels as though I have more of a direction, rather than feeling so lost.’
Lauryn has been dominating headlines for the last five years after it was revealed that England and AC Milan footballer Kyle Walker was the father of her son Kairo, born in 2020 while Kyle was on a break from his now-wife. It was then revealed in January last year that he was also the father to Kinara, born in 2023. The news made headlines up and down the country, with disgraced Kyle publicly apologising to his wife, with whom he shares four children. Since then, Lauryn has been involved in a very public High Court battle to determine the financial support she receives from Kyle – who earns £175,000 per week – for their children.
Kyle unfortunately doesn’t see his children with Lauryn, though he provides for them financially, but Lauryn, 34, says she enjoys being a single mum.
She says, ‘I think people see it as a negative, but I love being a single mum. Of course, I’d love to be able to tag team, and it might make life a little easier, but on the flip side I’m only relying on myself to have everything in order and I won’t let myself down, so it makes life more smooth sailing.’
She adds with a laugh, ‘I’m quite organised – I like to run a tight ship! It is exhausting but the kids are doing great, they are full of energy and growing so fast. I can’t keep up and neither can my fridge! It’s a joy to see them so curious and engaged with the world around them.’
Last year Lauryn appeared on Channel 4’s Celebs Go Dating, which saw her come out of her comfort zone and return to the world of dating. While she didn’t meet someone special, she did say the experience boosted her confidence. Though she tells us her romantic life is back on pause.
‘I haven’t been dating at the moment, life is so hectic and the kids have busy schedules,’ she explains. ‘I always get men messaging me, but I’m just so focused on my family right now that I don’t want to waste my time and energy on anything else. When the time is right, then maybe.’
She also hasn’t ruled out having more children. She says, ‘I can’t see me having any more, but I thought that when I had Kairo and then I had Kinara and she’s been the best addition to our family. I couldn’t imagine life without her now. So I guess, never say never.’
The past five years have been difficult for Lauryn, who has been at the receiving end of brutal trolling and media attention, being branded a ‘homewrecker’ and a ‘gold digger’.
‘The trolling is horrendous, constant and unnecessary,’ she says. ‘I understand people have opinions, but the levels these people take it to is not normal. We’re all human, how can anyone judge anyone else’s life when they don’t know them? Funnily enough, nobody has ever said anything negative to my face, it’s always been nice. I don’t think I’m what people expect when they meet me. I’m just like any other mum who wants to do the best for their children.’
She adds, ‘I try to ignore it but of course it can give me anxiety. I don’t read comments online or in the press, and on my social media negativity just gets deleted and blocked. My Instagram is a positive place, which I am grateful for, and I love sharing my experiences with my fans.’
Both Kairo and Kinara attend a private school and nursery, both learning Spanish and taking part in extra-curricular activities, but despite doing well academically, Lauryn says she’d love to homeschool them using private tutors one day.
She explains, ‘The traditional school system often feels outdated to me so I think homeschooling would be incredible. I’m still figuring out what the future holds and what path we’ll take, but one of the biggest advantages of homeschooling is the personalised one-to-one attention from private tutors, it also encourages entrepreneurial qualities which I think is so important.’
As she looks to the future, Lauryn says things are looking positive. She says, ‘I have the love and support from my friends and family which is the most important thing for me. This last year especially has shown me who’s really there for me and who isn’t. The kids keep me going, it’s a whirlwind – but one I wouldn’t trade for anything!’
