People love a good mess. When the news first broke in 2016 that Swedish model Ella Rose was filing a paternity suit against New England Patriots star Julian Edelman, the internet did what it does best: it assumed the worst. Headlines painted a picture of a bitter legal battle, a "secret" pregnancy, and a star athlete trying to dodge responsibility.
The reality? It was way less scandalous and a lot more mature than the tabloids wanted you to believe.
🔗 Read more: Does Howie Have a Wife? What Most People Get Wrong About the Mandels
Honestly, the story of Ella Rose and Julian Edelman isn't a cautionary tale about a failed romance. It is actually a pretty solid blueprint for how two people who were never really "together" can show up for their kid without losing their minds.
The "Friends With Benefits" Origin Story
Let’s get the facts straight. Ella Rose and Julian Edelman didn't have some grand, sweeping love affair that ended in a tragic breakup. According to basically every reputable source, including TMZ and the Boston Globe, they had a casual, "friends with benefits" vibe for about two years starting in 2014.
They were both young, successful, and living high-profile lives on opposite coasts. Rose was a rising model from Malmö, Sweden, who had moved to Los Angeles after falling in love with California during a study abroad semester. Edelman was, well, Julian Edelman—the gritty, beloved wide receiver for the NFL’s most dominant dynasty.
When Ella got pregnant in early 2016, things got complicated fast.
📖 Related: Shauhin Davari Wife: The Truth Behind the Survivor 48 Star's Private Life
At the time, Edelman was reportedly seeing supermodel Adriana Lima. You can imagine how that went over. Because their relationship had been casual, there was an initial period of friction. Rose filed paternity documents in Los Angeles Superior Court when she was about five and a half months pregnant.
Why the Lawsuit Happened
Most people see "paternity suit" and think "war." In California, it’s often just a necessary legal step to ensure child support and custody rights are locked in, especially when the parents aren't married.
Edelman initially contested the filing, which fueled the "deadbeat" rumors for a hot minute. But that didn't last. By the time their daughter, Lily Rose, was born on November 30, 2016, Edelman had fully stepped up. He actually hopped on a plane to Los Angeles and was right there at Cedars-Sinai Hospital when she entered the world.
Lily Rose: The Center of the Universe
Lily is 9 years old now. If you follow either of them on Instagram, you know she is basically a mini-version of both parents. She’s got her mom’s Swedish features and her dad’s "squirrel" energy.
Edelman’s transition into fatherhood was a major turning point for his public image. He went from the bachelor king of Boston to a guy posting "Woman Crush Wednesday" photos of his newborn. He famously called her the "new squirrel to the tree."
A Masterclass in Co-Parenting
The most impressive part of the Ella Rose and Julian Edelman dynamic is how little drama there has been since 2016. Think about it. You almost never see them trashing each other in the press.
- Proximity matters: For a while, there was talk of Ella moving to Massachusetts to be closer to the Patriots' schedule. While she mostly stayed based in California, they made the cross-country shuffle work.
- The "Step-Mom" Rule: Edelman has been vocal about how picky he is with dating now. He told Haute Living that anyone he dates has to be "step-mom material." If they don't vibe with Lily, it’s a dealbreaker.
- Support Systems: Lily’s godmother is actually Emma Hernan from Selling Sunset. This shows the kind of circle Ella keeps—high-achieving, loyal friends who have been there since the delivery room.
What is Ella Rose Doing Now?
Ella isn't just "Edelman’s ex." She’s a businesswoman who has pivoted way beyond just modeling for brands like GUESS.
👉 See also: Famous People Who Live in Florida: Where the Stars are Hiding in 2026
In recent interviews, like her 2024 feature in Glam Mom Magazine, she talked about how being a single mom at different points in her life shaped her. She’s involved in real estate, she’s an investor in startups, and she’s even dipped her toes into the crypto world.
She also runs a consultancy firm and manages event projects. She’s not sitting around waiting for a child support check; she’s building a "life of abundance," as she puts it.
Common Misconceptions
Let’s clear up a few things that still circulate in the gossip columns.
1. They are secretly back together.
Nope. They are great friends and dedicated co-parents. They celebrate birthdays and milestones together, but the romantic ship sailed a long time ago.
2. The paternity suit was about money.
It was about legal clarity. When you have a child with a pro athlete who has a multi-million dollar contract, you need the paperwork to be perfect to protect the child's future.
3. Edelman wasn't involved early on.
He might have been surprised by the news, but he’s been a present father from day one of Lily's life. He even brought her onto the field after Super Bowl LIII to celebrate his MVP win.
The Reality of Celebrity Co-Parenting
It isn't always perfect. Edelman has admitted that balancing a high-octane NFL career (and now a broadcasting career) with a daughter living in a different time zone is a "fine line."
But the takeaway here is that they didn't let a "casual" beginning define their child's future. They didn't let the media's hunger for a fight dictate how they spoke about each other.
If you're looking for lessons from the Ella Rose and Julian Edelman story, it's that your "starting point" doesn't matter as much as your "showing up" point.
Actionable Takeaways from Their Story
- Legal clarity isn't an attack: If you're in a co-parenting situation, getting formal agreements in place (like Ella did) protects the child and prevents future misunderstandings.
- Keep it private: Notice how we don't know the gritty details of their child support or custody schedule? That's intentional. Keeping family business off Twitter (or X) is a win for the kids.
- Focus on the "Yes": Both parents consistently say "yes" to showing up for Lily's big moments, whether it's horse riding or school events.
If you want to keep up with their journey, Ella Rose is still active on Instagram (@officialellarose), where she shares glimpses of her life as a "mompreneur." Edelman, meanwhile, continues to juggle his post-retirement life with "Lily Bug" always at the forefront. Their story proves that you don't need a marriage certificate to be a successful family unit.