Michael Bublé’s fatherhood joy
After a traumatic time things are finally looking up for Michael Bublé and his wife Luisana Lopilato
THEY went through a year of hell and all but shut themselves off from the rest of the world, pouring their time and energy to helping their four-yearold son battle cancer. But Michael Bublé and his Argentinian wife, Luisana Lopilato, are finally emerging from their selfimposed exile and embracing life again – and they have two of the best possible reasons to do so.
Little Noah is getting stronger by the day, and by all accounts there’s a new addition to the family on the way, widely believed to be a girl.
The 42-year-old Canadian crooner and his 30-year-old actress wife have a second son, Elias (2), so a girl would be a double blessing to their close-knit unit, friends say.
Although the couple have kept mum on the pregnancy reports, the media in Luisana’s home country say the pair have confirmed the sex of their new baby to their nearest and dearest.
Spanish showbiz website Teleshow also reported the blonde beauty, who married the I Believe in You singer in 2011 after a two-year courtship, is about five months pregnant.
Luisana’s brother, actor Dario Lopilato (37), said he’d leave it to his sister to confirm the news. It’s expected any day now when Luisana heads to Buenos Aires to promote her latest film, in which she plays a cop investigating human trafficking.
Luisana was described as looking “radiant” when snapped on a family holiday in Disneyland, California in February, and in January she got tongues wagging after she posted a photo of herself wearing a baggy sports top on Instagram.
She’s previously been open about her desire to expand her family. “I’d love to have another child because being a mother is the best role in the world,” she said. “I’d love to have 20 children but my body wouldn’t be up to it.”
There’s no doubt the joy of a new baby will be just what the doctor ordered after a harrowing time that saw the couple put their careers on hold to devote themselves to their son.
Michael has previously spoken out about how parenthood has changed him from the reckless pop star he once was.
“I handled fame poorly before I had kids,” he said. “I regret the way I treated a lot of people. I was reckless with hearts.
But becoming a family man brought out a caring, compassionate side to him.
“I love being a dad. That’s it; that’s all I care about. I love my kids too much probably, if there was such a thing,” he told the UK’s ITV in 2016.
“It’s made everything else so insignificant. Moments I was afraid of and moments that would overwhelm me have now become a joy. I’ve realised nothing else is as serious as the two most precious people in my life – my sons, Noah and Eli.”
NOAH’s ordeal started in 2016 when, after a prolonged spell of ill health, doctors in Argentina diagnosed him with mumps. But they also found a worrying growth in his stomach.
“They picked up something there, but didn’t really know what it was,” Luisana says.
Amid growing fears he had a tumour, she flew to the US with her son so he could have more tests – and the diagnosis was dire. The little boy had cancer.
Michael, who was on tour in Europe,
immediately cancelled the rest of his performances and flew out to join his family.
“Luisana and I are going to spend all our time and attention to help Noah to get better by suspending our professional activities for now,” a devastated Michael said in a statement.
“We have a long journey in front of us and hope that with the support of family, friends and fans around the world, we’ll win this battle, God willing.”
And it seems he got what he prayed for. In February last year the multi-award winner posted a statement on his Facebook page saying Noah was progressing well with his chemotherapy and that doctors were optimistic about his future.
“He’s been brave throughout and we continue to be inspired by his courage,” he said.
Michael also paid tribute to his fans around the world after their outpouring of love. “We’d like to thank the thousands of people who’ve sent their prayers and good wishes to us. As we continue this journey we’re greatly comforted by your support and love.”
A source close to Michael revealed he’d been 100% focused on Noah’s recovery.
“Michael meant it when he said he was going to step away from the spotlight. He stopped all his work commitments and completely shut off his social media.
“He’s been with Noah every day. This experience has changed him – as you can imagine. It’s caused him to re-prioritise everything. Until his son is better, nothing else matters.”
In April Luisana confirmed Noah was in remission and in November Michael announced he’d be gradually returning to music, thanking his fans once again for their support and patience.
IN EXCITING news for his phalanx of fans, the multiplatinum singer – who’s sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, has four Grammy Awards to his name and has had four consecutive albums at No 1 on the Billboard charts – is working on a new album.
It will be his 10th, and his first since 2016’s Nobody But Me. Michael is said to be recording in Vancouver and Los Angeles with legendary record producer David Foster.
Details about the new album are scant but, according to his manager, Bruce Allen, it’s “about 60% finished” and should be out before the end of the year.
“I can’t tell you that much about it because they’re recording a bunch of songs,” Bruce says. “But it’s going to be a themed album, like his Christmas album.”
Michael is also set to return to the stage in a big way with his first concert set for 7 July at Dublin’s Croke Park followed by London’s Hyde Park. They’re both large, popular venues which his manager says “is a nice way to get started again”.
If everything works out Michael will also launch a world tour next year – and it’s about time: his last tour ended in March 2015 in Johannesburg.
His music harks back to an era of innocence and romance, to which Michael says he loves to take his fans.
“The world’s a scary place. People need a tent in the rain. I’m here to take you away for a few hours, entertain you, allow you to escape, to know there can be hope, and that romance is still alive and well.”
Welcome back, Michael.
‘He’s been with his son every day. This experience has changed him’