Former Home and Away favourite Demi Harman has quietly entered a joyful new chapter of her life—one that has taken fans by surprise and sparked an outpouring of love

from both Australia and abroad. The actress, who once dominated screens as the fiery and complex Sasha Bezmel on Channel Seven’s long-running soap,

has welcomed her second child with husband Andrew Brooks, sharing the deeply personal news from Los Angeles this week.

For many longtime viewers, Demi’s name is forever tied to Summer Bay, where she appeared from 2011 to 2015 in one of the show’s most emotionally charged storylines. But in recent years, the actress has largely stepped away from the spotlight, choosing a quieter life in the United States. That decision made her latest announcement all the more shocking—and all the more moving.

Demi revealed the birth of her baby girl in a heartfelt Instagram post that instantly captured attention. The announcement was accompanied by an intimate black-and-white photograph of her newborn daughter, Florence May Brooks, peacefully asleep and swaddled in a blanket. Wearing a delicate bonnet tied neatly beneath her chin, the baby appeared serene, her soft cheeks full and her lips gently parted as she rested on what appeared to be a hospital bed. The image, understated yet powerful, spoke volumes about the intimate moment Demi chose to share with the world.

In her caption, Demi did not shy away from emotion. She revealed that Florence arrived earlier than expected, measuring 21.5 inches long and weighing an impressive 9 pounds, 10.2 ounces. Describing her daughter as “sleepy, sassy, and everything we wanted in our girl,” Demi added that she could not imagine life without “this slice of heaven.” Within minutes, the post was flooded with congratulatory messages from fans, friends, and fellow celebrities, many of whom have followed Demi’s journey from teenage soap star to Hollywood-based mother of two.

The arrival of Florence comes just months after Demi first shared news of her pregnancy. Back in July, she surprised followers with a candid mirror selfie posted to her Instagram Stories. Dressed casually in maternity pants and a canary-yellow shirt unbuttoned over her growing bump, the actress appeared bare-faced and refreshingly honest. It was a far cry from the polished red-carpet images fans once associated with her—and that authenticity only strengthened the connection with her audience.

At the time, Demi was open about the realities of pregnancy, joking about the less glamorous moments that came with it. She candidly admitted that her first trimester was a struggle, even confessing that she “couldn’t look at the kitchen” during those early weeks. In one particularly relatable moment, she shared a video of homemade pizza, explaining how relieved she was to finally enjoy food again after weeks of nausea. It was a reminder that behind the former TV star was a woman navigating motherhood with humour, honesty, and resilience.

Earlier this month, Demi and Andrew delighted fans once again by revealing the baby’s gender in a playful announcement that quickly went viral. Lip-syncing to a trending “I’m a mommy” TikTok sound, Demi lifted her top to reveal her baby bump before cheekily captioning the clip, “Mama has a daughter.” The video struck a chord online, with fans praising it as one of the most joyful and creative pregnancy reveals they had ever seen.

Florence now joins the couple’s first child, son Bo Thomas Brooks, whose arrival Demi announced with her trademark humour. When Bo was born, Demi shared another black-and-white newborn photo, introducing him with a light-hearted caption that immediately endeared her to fans. She joked about his love for having his hair brushed and his impeccable timing when it came to unexpected bodily functions, writing that he was unmistakably “his parents’ child.” That blend of warmth and wit has remained a defining feature of Demi’s public persona—even as she has stepped away from acting.

Demi and Andrew tied the knot in January 2022, exchanging vows in an intimate ceremony in Palm Springs, California. The low-key wedding reflected the couple’s desire for privacy and authenticity, a theme that has continued throughout their marriage and growing family. While Demi occasionally shares glimpses of her life online, she has been careful to protect her personal world, choosing meaningful moments over constant visibility.

Before settling into family life in Los Angeles, Demi was one of Australia’s most promising young television stars. She rose to fame as a teenager on Home and Away, earning critical acclaim for her portrayal of Sasha Bezmel—a character defined by trauma, resilience, and emotional depth. Her performance resonated strongly with viewers and earned her a nomination for Most Popular New Female Talent at the Logie Awards in 2012.

At the height of her fame, Demi was also in a long-term relationship with her Home and Away co-star Alex Snow. Their romance was closely followed by fans, making her eventual decision to leave Australia and start fresh overseas a significant turning point in her life. The move marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another—one focused less on celebrity and more on personal growth.

Now, with two children and a life firmly rooted in the US, Demi appears content in her decision to step away from the relentless pace of the entertainment industry. While fans still hold out hope for a potential return to acting, her recent posts suggest that motherhood is her current leading role—and one she embraces wholeheartedly.

The birth of Florence May Brooks is more than just celebrity baby news. It is a reminder of how far Demi Harman has come since her days in Summer Bay, and how gracefully she has navigated life beyond the spotlight. For fans who grew up watching her on screen, the news is both shocking and heartwarming—a testament to the enduring bond between an actress and the audience that has followed her journey for more than a decade.

As messages of love continue to pour in from around the world, one thing is clear: even after vanishing from Australian screens, Demi Harman’s story still resonates. And with the arrival of her baby girl, a beautiful new chapter has only just begun.