Jesse McCartney is going to be a dad again. The 39-year-old "Beautiful Soul" singer and his wife, actress Katie Peterson, 38, announced on Instagram on Thursday, Oct. 1, that they are expecting baby No. 2, per PEOPLE. Their second child will join 16-month-old son Archer, so here's everything you need to know about the news.
Key Facts
- Jesse McCartney and Peterson shared the pregnancy news on Instagram on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026.
- The baby will join big brother Archer, born in May 2025 and now 16 months old.
- The couple married in 2021 after nearly a decade together.
- Details like a due date and the baby's sex have not been widely reported yet.
How the News Broke
McCartney and Peterson announced the news with an Instagram post, per PEOPLE. Their post included a clip of McCartney at the piano with Archer, then 8 months old, strapped to his chest. (More on that little guy below.)
The singer has also been sharing his new life as a touring dad. He recently called his son his "favorite roadie," per PEOPLE. It's a sweet nickname that fits the family's on-the-road routine.
Meet Big Brother Archer
Archer arrived earlier than planned. He was born on May 7, 2025, about three months before his early August due date, per PEOPLE.
The couple introduced him in a joint post on June 17, 2025. "Archer James McCartney took center stage on 5/7/25," they wrote. The stage pun was a wink at his dad's career, and fans flooded the comments with congratulations.
Archer has already had his own musical milestones. Peterson shared photos from his first concert, where he was wrapped in a custom blanket stitched with "Beautiful Soul," a nod to McCartney's 2004 hit, per PEOPLE.
How Jesse and Katie Fell in Love
The pair met in 2012 at a bar where McCartney was at a birthday party and Peterson was bartending, per The Bump. They went on to date for seven years before getting engaged in 2019.
They tied the knot in Carmel, Calif., in 2021, per PEOPLE. Peterson, an actress, has also appeared alongside McCartney on the Fox series Celebrity Watch Party.
Love stories and baby news have been everywhere lately. If you're following celebrity engagements, don't miss Pauly D's Las Vegas proposal to Nikki Hall or Madison Beer's engagement details.
Jesse's Candid Thoughts on Fatherhood
Long before Archer, McCartney was refreshingly honest about trying for a family. He told Today in 2024 that conceiving "is not necessarily always as sexy as people talk about."
That candor fueled his playful single "Make A Baby" with Yung Gravy, from the 2024 EP All's Well. The song's title turned out to be a bit of a prophecy.
McCartney has also stayed busy musically since becoming a dad. In 2025, he joined Nick Jonas and the Jonas Brothers as a surprise guest on their JONAS20 tour kickoff in New Jersey. The Dream Street alum clearly hasn't slowed down.
What's Next for the McCartney Family
For now, the couple is soaking in the news. Fans are waiting on the details, including when the baby is due and whether Archer is getting a brother or sister.
Given how openly McCartney and Peterson shared their first pregnancy, from a Valentine's Day announcement to a gender reveal with their dog, Bailey, more updates will likely follow. Keep reading Bigwritehook for the latest on the growing McCartney family.
