See the Most Adorable Photos of Gabourey Sidibe's Twins Cooper and Maya as the Actress Turns 43
See the Most Adorable Photos of Gabourey Sidibe's Twins Cooper and Maya as the Actress Turns 43
Alexandra SchonfeldWed, May 6, 2026 at 10:30 AM UTC
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Gabourey Sidibe with her twins Cooper and MayaCredit: Gabourey Sidebe/Instagram
Gabourey Sidibe and Brandon Frankel are two proud parents.
The couple, who got married in 2021, welcomed their twins Cooper and Maya in April 2024 and have been gushing about them ever since. From documenting milestones to just appreciating their quality time as a family, the pair has shared lots about their parenthood journey in the months since welcoming their kids.
Sidibe returned to work in 2025, joining the cast of American Horror Story season 13 and directing the Lifetime movie Be Happy, which premiered on Feb. 7, 2026.
On how she stayed connected to her children while filming, she told PEOPLE, "I would steal moments on set to FaceTime with them to recite their favorite stories to them, to sing them songs, stuff like that, so that we can always maintain that connection."
For Sidibe's 43rd birthday on May 6, 2026, read on to see the adorable photos and sweet tributes shared by the doting parents.
01 of 20
Cats All Around
In a hilarious series of photos, Sidibe gave a glimpse into how her cats were adjusting to the two new members of their family. "They are protective and jealous and not at all aggressive with them," she wrote in part, alongside photos of the cats climbing up on a bassinet and getting an front row seat to feeding time.
02 of 20
All Dressed Up
Gabby Sidibe's twins Cooper and Maya.Credit: Gabby Sidibe/Instagram
There's nothing cuter than a baby's first Halloween and for Cooper and Maya's first rodeo, the duo dressed as Elmo and Cookie Monster.
03 of 20
Mama's Boy
Gabby Sidibe with Cooper.Credit: Gabby Sidibe/Instagram
Over the summer, the proud mom shared a close-up shot with her little boy.
04 of 20
All Love
Credit: BRANDON FRANKEL/Instagram
"The loves of my life," Frankel wrote alongside a photo of Sidibe with their twins.
05 of 20
Reading Room
In matching chairs, the twins looked up toward their mom as she sat down to read them The People Could Fly.
06 of 20
Two by Two
Gabourey Sidibe's twins Cooper and Maya.Credit: Gabby Sidibe/Instagram
Alongside a photo of the pair laying next to each other on the bed, Sidibe said the babies had reached a new milestone.
"The twins have reached the age where they are keeping each other up during nap time, just giggling and smiling and spitting up at each other. It’s adorable," she wrote.
07 of 20
Newborn Snuggles
Gabourey Sidibe with her children.Credit: Brandon Frankel/Instagram
Frankel paid tribute to his family of four in a sweet post shared to Instagram that showed the Precious actress holding their newborns. "My three favorite people all in one picture," he wrote, calling his wife "Super Woman."
08 of 20
Quality Time
Brandon Frankel with his twins Cooper and Maya.Credit: Brandon Frankel/Instagram
Frankel got in on playtime with his little "besties," writing "Daddy loves you both the mostest."
09 of 20
Growing Together
Frankel gushed about how its been to watch his kids grow up, sharing a photo from just a few months ago and noticing how much they've changed.
"I can’t believe how SMALL the twins were, and this was only this past Mother’s Day!,' he wrote in part. "It’s been such a joy to watch them grow, learn, and flourish."
10 of 20
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Laughing With Mom
Gabourey Sidibe with her kids.Credit: Brandon Frankel/Instagram
"My three favorite people," Frankel wrote alongside a photo of a very happy mama and her two little ones.
11 of 20
Biggest Fan
Accompanying a sweet photo of Sidibe carrying her two children, Frankel declared that she deserved the "Mother of the century award."
12 of 20
Family of Four
Gabourey Sidibe and husband Brandon Frankel feed their twins.Credit: Brandon Frankel/Instagram
Frankel says that when it comes to feeding time, the parents of two are making sure to keep things even.
"A little behind-the-scenes look: Feeding time with the twins," he wrote. "We go out of our way to switch off who feeds who every feeding so they both get equal time with Mom & Dad."
13 of 20
Just Like Daddy
Brandon Frankel matches with his twins Cooper and Maya.Credit: Brandon Frankel/Instagram
The happy dad was twinning with his twins as they all dressed up in fluffy onesies.
14 of 20
Two of a Kind
Gabourey Sidibe's kids Maya and Cooper.Credit: Brandon Frankel/Instagram
"I just can’t get enough of their amazement and wonder for the world + their little bond. It never gets old 🥹😍❤️," Frankel wrote alongside this adorable snap.
15 of 20
Connected 4
Brandon Frankel and Gabourey Sidibe with Cooper and MayaCredit: Gabby Sidibe/Instagram
The twins, then 8 months old, celebrated their first Christmas in matching blue onesies with their parents. Under a video shared by Sidibe on Instagram, she noted, "They really loved the boxes!"
16 of 20
Newborn Times 2
Gabourey Sidibe with Maya and CooperCredit: Brandon Frankel/Instagram
Her husband marked her 42nd birthday in 2025 with a loving tribute and a carousel of "super mom" photos, including one taken shortly after Cooper and Maya's birth.
"We celebrate you being born, and for bringing joy to our and so many peoples' lives," Frankel wrote on Instagram. "There’s a bunch of sushi and a spa day in your future with your name on it! WE LOVE YOU MOST!"
17 of 20
Mommy and Me
Gabourey Sidibe with MayaCredit: Brandon Frankel/Instagram
In the birthday post, Frankel also shared a cuddly photo of Sidibe and her baby girl.
18 of 20
Water You Wading For
Gabourey Sidibe with Maya and CooperCredit: BRANDON FRANKEL/Instagram
The parents are starting their kids' swim training early. Frankel shared a sweet picture of Sidibe poolside with Cooper and Maya, and he expressed his amazement at their progress from "crying most of the class" to "kicking, treading, going under water."
He added, "They’re getting so big my heart can’t take it."
19 of 20
Flintstone Family
Gabourey Sidibe with Cooper and MayaCredit: Gabourey Sidibe/Instagram
For Halloween 2025, Sidibe posted a picture of Frankel dressed as Fred Flintstone and their twins as Pebbles and Bam Bam. Unfortunately, the actress could not join them as the Flintstone matriarch, as "Wilma was working," she wrote in the caption.
20 of 20
Farm Hands
Brandon Frankel and Gabourey Sidibe with Maya and CooperCredit: BRANDON FRANKEL/Instagram
Cooper and Maya turned 2 in April 2026, and the family of four rented out time at the Love Always animal sanctuary, as the twins' "love for animals is constantly coming up all day," Frankel explained.
"It was amazing seeing them so excited to hang with chickens, goats, sheep, pigs, donkeys, turtles, pigeons, a goose, a turkey, a mini pony, and more," he continued.
Sidibe cracked up in the comments over Maya attempting to eat a donkey's snack, and she added of the infamous "terrible twos": "Year 2 is about to be a bumpy ride and I cant wait!"
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
