Ricki Maynard Shuts Down Baby Daddy Rumors With Bestie Pod Plan and Family Support Drama

Quinn Parker here, caffeinated to the eyebrows and buzzing with the kind of energy only a triple espresso can summon. An over-caffeinated aunt spilling thoughts faster than you can keep up. Okay, so here we go with the latest spicy chapter in Emily Maynard Johnson’s tight-knit circle: Ricki Maynard, the 20-year-old daughter of the Bachelorette alum and late fiancé Ricky Hendrick, is pregnant and clearing the air about who the father might be. The internet rumor mill, as relentless as a fidgety aunt at a family brunch, had circled a few names, but Ricki is setting the record straight with a vigor that would make a caffeinated blender jealous.

First, Ricki took to Instagram Stories around September 11 to share a snapshot with her best friend Payton Pauls, teasing whether they should try a singular podcast episode. The real purpose of that post, however, was to nip a specific rumor in the bud: Payton is not the baby’s father. In a Q and A format attached to the story, Ricki wrote plainly, “HES NOT THE FATHER OF MY CHILD.” She doubled down in a separate post after a follower asked if her friend Payton was the dad, explaining, “NO HE IS NOT PLEASE STOP ASKING!” She framed Payton’s role as a longtime friend since third grade, noting their different “types” and underscoring that their bond is purely platonic.

This isn’t Ricki’s first public acknowledgment of her pregnancy. She announced in August with an ultrasound photo that functioned as her phone’s lock screen, signaling to fans that a new little one would soon join the family. The pregnancy storyline has drawn considerable attention given Ricki’s lineage: she’s the daughter of Emily Maynard Johnson, a former Bachelorette lead, and the late Ricky Hendrick. And while fans speculated about the baby’s father, Ricki’s own posts offered a clear message: she’s steering this ship and the mystery remains private, at least for now.

The supportive web also features glimpses of Ricki’s larger support network as she navigates this milestone. A September 11 clip shows Emily Maynard Johnson gifting Ricki a wicker bassinet and bags of baby clothes and goodies, a visible sign that mom energy—and perhaps mom guilt in some families—comes with this pregnancy, whether or not she shows outward excitement or a front of steady joy. Ricki’s tone carries a hint of sarcasm when describing her mom’s reaction, suggesting a complicated yet affectionate dynamic that many fans will recognize from reality TV-era motherhood narratives.

Beyond the family circle, the piece rolls into a roundup of other celebrity baby announcements making headlines in the same season, but Ricki’s situation remains anchored in the clarity she provided publicly. The rumors, the best friend, the potential podcast, and the ever-present curiosity from fans all collide in a single moment: a young mom-to-be who wants to control the story about her own body, her partner, and her future.

What’s next to watch? Will Ricki reveal the baby’s father in time, or keep this close to the chest as she builds her family? And will the Payton-Paul dynamic spur a new, lighthearted podcast that fans can actually listen to without feeling like they’re eavesdropping on a family group chat? Stay tuned because this is one of those pregnancy arcs that could tilt into candid TV-style content as Ricki continues her journey into motherhood.

Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! News, E Online
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed (GO)