Honestly, if you grew up in the early 2000s, Brenda Song was probably your fashion icon or your favorite snobby heiress on TV. But the Brenda Song we see today? She's lightyears away from the Tipton Hotel. Her life is basically the definition of "low-key." While most of Hollywood is busy posting every breakfast burrito and diaper change to Instagram, the Brenda Song family dynamic is surprisingly private.
It’s kinda fascinating. She’s one half of a powerhouse couple with Macaulay Culkin, yet they live like normal people in Los Angeles. No massive entourage. No army of nannies. Just them, their two boys, and a very protective circle of relatives.
The Roots: A Hmong-Thai American Story
Before she was Wendy Wu or London Tipton, Brenda was just a kid in Carmichael, California. Her background is actually super unique, and it’s a huge part of how she raises her own kids today. Her father is Hmong and her mother is Thai.
Her parents met as adults in Sacramento, but their journey started in Thailand. Her paternal grandparents were part of the Xiong clan. When they immigrated to the United States, they made a massive decision to change the family name to "Song." It was a way to adapt, sure, but they never lost the culture. Brenda grew up in a house where Hmong was spoken regularly. She even went to Hmong New Year celebrations every year.
It wasn’t always easy. Brenda has talked about feeling "different" in school. Bringing "weird" food for lunch. Speaking a language no one else understood. But she says her parents prioritized that heritage, and she’s doing the same now. Her mom, a homemaker and breast cancer survivor, and her dad, a schoolteacher, kept her grounded even when she started modeling at age five.
She isn't an only child, either. She has two younger brothers, Timmy and Nathan. Fun fact: while Brenda was begging for acting classes, one of her brothers was obsessed with Taekwondo. To keep things fair, their mom made them both do both. That’s how Brenda ended up with a black belt.
📖 Related: Erik Menendez Height: What Most People Get Wrong
The Partnership: Brenda and Mack
The Brenda Song family expanded in 2017 in the most "Hollywood" but "not Hollywood" way possible. She met Macaulay Culkin—yeah, the Home Alone guy—on the set of a movie called Changeland in Thailand.
They didn't actually hit it off immediately. Apparently, when they first met at friend Seth Green’s house years prior, Mack made a joke about one of her shows getting canceled. Brenda was not having it. But by 2017, the sparks were there. They bonded over being former child stars. It’s a specific kind of trauma and success that only a few people really get.
They’ve been engaged since early 2022. People always ask when the wedding is. Truth is, they’ve thought about eloping, but Brenda’s mom would probably have a heart attack if she wasn't there. So, they’re taking their time. They’re basically married in every way that matters anyway.
Raising Dakota and Carson Without a Nanny
In April 2021, they welcomed their first son, Dakota Song Culkin. The name is a heartbreakingly sweet tribute to Mack’s late sister, Dakota, who passed away in 2008.
Then came "Number Two."
👉 See also: Old pics of Lady Gaga: Why we’re still obsessed with Stefani Germanotta
In late 2022, their second son, Carson Song Culkin, arrived. They kept his birth so quiet that Mack’s brother, Kieran Culkin (the Succession star), actually had to be the one to confirm it to the press months later.
What’s wild is their parenting style. In an era where every celebrity has a 24/7 nanny, Brenda and Mack decided to do it themselves. They’re "hands-on" to the extreme. Brenda’s mom stays with them to help out, which is very traditional in Hmong and Thai cultures.
"To be the best mom, I have to be the best me," Brenda told The Cut.
She’s been very open about the struggle of going back to work just 12 weeks after giving birth. She was filming season two of Dollface and had to balance 14-hour days with pumping breast milk in her trailer. It wasn't glamorous. It was exhausting.
Why You Rarely See the Kids
If you’re looking for high-res photos of their kids’ faces, you won't find many. There was that one big moment in December 2023 when Mack got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The whole Brenda Song family showed up, and it was the first time fans really saw Dakota and Carson.
✨ Don't miss: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes in 2026
But Brenda later admitted that Dakota was actually pretty scared of the cameras. The flashing lights, the shouting—it’s a lot for a toddler. That’s why they keep them away from the spotlight. They want their boys to have a "normal" childhood, or as normal as it can be when your dad is a pop culture icon and your mom is Disney royalty.
They have a very "antisocial" home life, and they love it that way. Most of their playdates happen at their house. They play gin rummy. They cook. They just exist.
Key Takeaways for Fans
If you're following Brenda's journey, here’s what you should keep in mind about her current life:
- Cultural Connection: She is deeply committed to teaching her sons about their Hmong and Thai roots, just as her parents did for her.
- Privacy is Priority: Don't expect a reality show. They value their peace way more than "clout."
- Hands-on Parenting: They chose the no-nanny route, relying on family support (specifically Brenda's mom) instead of hired help.
- A Healthy Balance: Brenda has been vocal about the "working mom guilt" and the importance of self-care, like exercising during nap times to stay sane.
To really understand the Brenda Song family today, you have to look past the London Tipton memes. She’s a woman who fought for her spot in an industry that didn't always have room for Asian American leads, and now she's fiercely protecting the private world she’s built with the people she loves.
If you're looking to support her work, keep an eye out for her recent projects like The Last Showgirl or her voice work, which she often chooses because it allows for a more flexible schedule with her boys. Supporting her career is the best way to respect the boundaries she's set for her personal life.