Quick summary
- Miranda Kerr has spoken about the death of her first love, Christopher Middlebrook, who died in a car accident as a teenager.
- She shared the story on the “Not Skinny But Not Fat” podcast, hosted by Amanda Hirsch, in an episode due on Tuesday, 3 November.
- Us Weekly published an exclusive preview of the interview.
- Kerr says she still speaks with Middlebrook’s parents at least once a month.
Miranda Kerr has given a rare account of losing her high school boyfriend, Christopher Middlebrook, and of how that grief still shapes her family today. The Australian model and KORA Organics founder, 43, made the comments on the “Not Skinny But Not Fat” podcast, in an episode due out on 3 November, according to an Us Weekly preview.
The day her world stopped
Kerr told host Amanda Hirsch that the two families were close, and that she and Middlebrook had been together for two years as high school sweethearts. She recalled being told the news by her uncle.
“I just remember my whole world just stopped,” Kerr said, according to Us Weekly. She described seeing a man mowing a lawn outside and thinking how strange it was that other people’s lives carried on while hers had halted.
She also described the circumstances of the accident. By her account, Middlebrook’s car had been taken off the road the week before because of a headlight problem, so he was driving without headlights. On a night with a full moon, a plough was on the side of the road, and Kerr said he died instantly when he saw it.
A promise written in a letter
Kerr said she went to her grandmother’s house soon afterwards and wrote Middlebrook a letter to be buried with him. In it, she promised that her firstborn son would carry his name.
That promise was kept. Her eldest son, Flynn, 15, whom she shares with ex-husband Orlando Bloom, is named Flynn Christopher. Kerr said she feels Middlebrook is “really watching over” Flynn, who also wears a St. Christopher pendant.
Kerr is also mother to Hart, 8, Myles, 7, and Pierre, 2, with her husband, Evan Spiegel, Us Weekly reports.
Staying close to his family
Kerr said staying in touch with Middlebrook’s parents has been central to how she has coped. She speaks to them at least once a month, and described the connection as healing for both his family and herself.
“We grew up together. He was my first love,” she said. She sends his mother a sunflower emoji as a private tribute, because the flower is closely tied to his memory. She recalled him arriving at her house with an enormous sunflower he had pulled out of the farm, roots and all.
What happens next
The full conversation will be available when the podcast episode is released on Tuesday, 3 November. Us Weekly’s preview does not say what else Kerr covers in the episode. For other recent Kerr coverage, see Miranda Kerr Returns to the Runway for Stella McCartney or browse more stories in Celebrities.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Christopher Middlebrook?
Christopher Middlebrook was Miranda Kerr’s first love. According to Us Weekly, the two were high school sweethearts who had dated for two years when he died in a car accident as a teenager.
Why is Miranda Kerr’s son named Flynn Christopher?
Kerr says she wrote a letter to be buried with Middlebrook promising that her firstborn son would carry his name. Flynn, 15, is her son with Orlando Bloom.
Where can I hear Miranda Kerr’s interview?
It is on the “Not Skinny But Not Fat” podcast, hosted by Amanda Hirsch. The episode is scheduled for release on Tuesday, 3 November.
