"Grey's Anatomy" Star Prepares to Adopt Baby from Korea

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

18 Oct 2008 12:36 PM

Katherine Heigl is apparently blowing off biological babies in much the same way she did with her recent Emmy bid.

According to the National Enquirer, the "Grey's Anatomy" star is planning to adopt a baby from Korea with her husband of less than a year Josh Kelley.

The 29-year-old actress, who has become a target of critics since she hit it big on the popular ABC drama and started flapping her lips without thinking, is reportedly going the adoption route because she doesn't want to have to take time off from working to accommodate the labor and delivery process.

According to the tabloid, the Heigl decided against having biological children shortly after she filmed the film "Knocked Up" last year. At the movie's premiere the Emmy winner told reporters: "I'm done with the whole idea of having my own children. [Giving birth] doesn't seem like any fun. I don't think it's necessary to go through all of that."

Instead, Heigl and her husband reportedly chose an adoption agency and have started filing the necessary paperwork. The National Enquirer is reporting that the couple is hoping to have a baby in their home within a year. However, several adoption experts say that it could take up to three years before the star brings home a child from Korea.

Heigl has made no secret that she has an affinity for the Asian country. The actress' older sister was adopted from Korea decades ago and the country reportedly holds special meaning for Heigl.

Interestingly, Heigl is not the only TV star looking to adopt a baby from Korea. In a recent PEOPLE magazine article the stars of TLC's "Jon and Kate Plus 8" (Jon and Kate Gosselin, the couple who parent twin daughters and a set of sextuplets) went public saying that they too want to open their home to an orphan from Korea (dad Jon is part Korean). However, adoption experts pounced on them too saying that the couple is ineligible for adoption from Korea since they have more than four children and policy guidelines (which one expert pointed out could be overlooked in certain cases) prohibit Korean babies to be adopted by large families.

I'm no adoption expert, but I would be willing to bet that if Heigl wants a Korean baby in less than a year, she'll get one and if the Gosselin's want to adopt a baby girl from Korea (despite the fact that they are a family of 10) they too will get their way.

Such is the power of celebrity.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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Valorie Delp (49340) 18 Oct 2008 04:25 PM

Part of the lengthy adoption process though is obtaining the necessary funds which obviously isn't an issue for Heigl. But when should we break it to her that not only do you have to take time off for the labor and delivery. . .but for when the kids get sick, those pesky recitals, doctors' appointments. Although I guess she has a nanny for that. (And should we tell her that there are other "not fun" parts of parenthood--like the stomach flu and potty training?)

Michele Cheplic (37339) 20 Oct 2008 03:56 AM

So true Valorie I thought the same about her views on what parenting entails. Maybe the baby will be a wake up call for her???

Libby Pelham (12871) 20 Oct 2008 05:39 AM

Yeah, as far as I am concerned, giving birth was the easy part! After that, you have at least 18 years of almost constant care for another being. But like you said Valorie, she will probably have a nanny - has to keep up her television and movie schedule.