There’s a famous saying that regrets always come last. Ayesha Curry seems to have the same thought; she now has second thoughts about her daughter Riley’s viral appearance at her dad, Stephen Curry’s post-game press conference in 2015. The then 2-year-old Riley sat on Dad’s lap and interrupted him with questions, shouts, commentary, and declarations as he fielded questions.
The incident spread like wildfire and even the most prominent personalities couldn’t resist talking about it. Within hours of the presser, Riley was a trending topic on Twitter, and her clips were being shared on social media. Looking back, Ayesha Curry tells Insider that she regrets bringing her daughter to Stephen’s games, where cameras often captured her animated antics in the stands as well.
Ayesha Curry further adds that her family had no idea what effect social media would have on their lives. She admits, ‘When the social media thing started, nobody knew what that was going to become. If we had known back in the day just how chaotic it would make life, I don’t think we would’ve done it. But we were just genuinely living our lives back then. And we thought, This is our kid. We’re bringing our kid along.’
Steph Curry shared similar thoughts and sentiments regarding the incident. He said publicly in 2019 that he felt guilty for bringing Riley to his Q&As. He said, ‘One thing I do technically regret in terms of how fast this all came is when I brought Riley on the podium. I’ve always wanted to share what I get to do and all the experiences I have, with my family. I didn’t know how much that would blow up and how much of a splash she [would make] on the scene.’
Stephen and Ayesha Curry are well-known for their strong family values, and it’s no secret that they’re devoted parents. But in Riley’s case, they probably overstepped their boundaries a little bit. Riley was young, and she wasn’t aware of the attention she was gathering—she was just being her naturally inquisitive self.
In hindsight, the Curry family thinks it may have been better to restrict the children’s access to cameras and social media when they were young. However, it shouldn’t impact the way they raise their kids now because their family values and morals have remained the same.
Parents often want to share their successes with their kids and include them in their journey. Most parents take their kids to their place of work to give them a glimpse of what they do and to inspire them to follow their dreams. In the case of the Currys, they were just doing that, but things got out of hand.
It’s not unusual for kids to accompany their parents to work, but it becomes an issue when the attention they receive is unwanted. For Riley, it was a little too much, too soon. Her family may have been unprepared, but her fans couldn’t get enough of her antics. She stole everyone’s hearts with her childish curiosity and her infectious laughter.
Steph has always been an excellent role model for his children and has a special bond with them. He never misses a chance to spend time with them despite his busy schedule. The way he interacts with his kids shows the love and care he has for them. His kids look up to him as a father, idol, and mentor.
Ayasha is a strong woman and parent, and we can only empathize with her as she relives the pressure she faced when Riley’s video went viral. Ayesha’s journey as a mother is an inspiration to many, and she has taken on the added responsibility of being a public figure with poise and grace, inspiring all moms out there to do the same.
The incident taught the family a hard lesson, and they learned to be more wary of the camera. They are far more cautious now about what they say and the images they share to avoid unwanted attention and scrutiny.
Now that Riley has grown up a bit, we don’t see much of her in public. If you follow the Currys on social media, you’ll see that they’re a tight-knit family, and the love they have for each other is palpable. They have a bond that can withstand even the fiercest storms.
Steph and Ayesha are exceptional parents who have always navigated the ups and downs of parenthood with grace. They’re a power duo who have successfully balanced their careers, personal lives, and their responsibilities as parents. They’re an inspiration to many, and their children will undoubtedly benefit from their strong family bond.
Riley’s viral press conference might have taken on a life of its own, but it pales in comparison to the love and warmth of the Curry family. They may have made a mistake, but they learned from it and came out stronger. Their story reminds us that parenting is not always perfect, and it’s okay to make mistakes, as long as we learn from them.
The Curry family continues to inspire and nurture people’s souls through their love for each other, their community, and the world. They have taught us valuable lessons that have changed the way we view family and parenting. Today, they continue to be a shining light of hope and love in a world that sometimes forgets what’s essential.