Josh Duhamel and Fergie’s son is growing up fast.
Axl Duhamel, 12, joined his father for a family day at Universal Studios Hollywood on Aug. 26, and the latest photos gave fans a glimpse at just how much the former child star’s son has grown.
Axl Is Getting So Grown Up
Josh, 53, was photographed with Axl near the theme park’s famous Universal globe. The actor was joined by his wife, Audra Mari, their 2-year-old son, Shepard.
Their baby daughter, Rocc de Leon, who was born earlier this year wasn’t with them.
One detail was particularly noticeable during the family outing: Axl is now nearly as tall as his famous father.
The 12-year-old is the eldest of Josh’s children and his only child with Fergie. Josh and Fergie married in 2009 and announced their separation in 2017. Their divorce was finalized in 2019.
The former couple have continued to prioritize co-parenting Axl.
While Axl is nearing his teenage years, his father has previously shared glimpses into the interests that are shaping his personality.
Duhamel has said that his two sons are very different from each other. While Shepard has developed an early interest in cars, Axl has become more interested in sports, according to PEOPLE.
“He’s more about soccer and basketball stats,” Duhamel previously said.
Duhamel Says Axl Is Interested in Acting
The actor also revealed that Axl has developed an interest in acting, following in his father’s footsteps. However, Duhamel has made it clear that he wants his son to have a childhood before considering entertainment as a career.
“He loves it. He’s in his little theater class,” Duhamel told Fatherly in January 2023.
“He can do whatever he wants when he’s old enough. But he’s not going to be a child actor. He’s not going to be auditioning or getting an agent or anything until he can do it on his own. I want him to be a kid,” he added.
For now, sports appear to be another major part of Axl’s life.
“I didn’t think he was ever going to get into it, but he really loves basketball now,” Duhamel told PEOPLE in March 2023. “He likes to throw the football around with me a little bit.”
Duhamel said he has tried to give Axl the freedom to figure out what he enjoys rather than steering him toward specific activities.
“I try not to be overbearing with him in sports, but I try to let him find it rather than me push it on him,” he said.
Duhamel Loves Being a Dad
The actor has also spoken warmly about the experience of watching his children grow.
“There’s always something new,” Duhamel said while discussing fatherhood.
“I just love being a dad. I love every single milestone,” he added.
That includes watching Axl become more independent and develop interests of his own.
While Duhamel has spent years in the spotlight, he has largely allowed Axl to grow up away from the pressures of Hollywood.
The family outing offered a rare public glimpse of the 12-year-old, who now looks noticeably older than the little boy fans may remember seeing alongside his famous parents.
At 12, Axl is still years away from adulthood, but his latest appearance makes one thing clear: Josh Duhamel’s little boy is not so little anymore.
