Jenna Compono and husband Zach Nichols will soon become a family of seven, as The Challenge stars announced this week that they are expecting their fifth child, just six months after the arrival of their fourth.
“Secrets out!” Jenna posted to social media on Tuesday. “Adding baby #5 to our crew!”
Zach shared the same photos to his Instagram page, telling fans, “The starting five is confirmed. Nichols number 5 coming this August.”
Jenna and Zach, who met on ‘The Challenge’ and married in March 2021, first became parents in September 2021 with the arrival of their son, Anthony Joseph. The pair welcomed their second child, daughter Liliana Marie, in December 2022; followed by baby number three, daughter Carmella Jean, in February 2024; and daughter Francesca “Frankie” Rose last summer.
While Jenna told People that she and Zach were planning to try for another baby in a couple of months, she said they were “really surprised” at how soon it happened this time around.
“The crazy part is, this one is due on Frankie’s first birthday!” Jenna shared. “August 10, 2026, talk about Irish Twins.”
Back in October, Jenna joked on social media about getting to enjoy an alcoholic beverage at a wedding due to her “not being pregnant for once,” though it wasn’t too long before she and Zach found out that she was expecting yet again.
“I found out Jenna was expecting when she showed me the pregnancy stick in the car on the way to the Christmas party,” Zach told People. “I was shocked to say the least, but it’s not like I didn’t know it was coming at some point. Jenna has made it very clear she wanted numerous kids.”
Jenna maintained that plan even after Zach received backlash from fans in 2023 for revealing on a podcast (on which Jenna was also a guest) that he leaves most of the parenting tasks to his wife and that he’s “very lucky” he doesn’t have to wake up in the middle of the night to tend to their children.
Jenna went on to defend her husband on the episode, arguing that Zach frequently cleans around their house and that he works full-time, which allows her to be a stay-at-home mom.
While Zach may work full-time, Jenna pointed out this week that she’s spent most her time being knocked up.
“I have been pregnant for four years straight,” she said. “This is just how I normally feel now.”
Still, Jenna insists that everyone is “happy and excited” for her and Zach to be growing their family again, even if some do think that the pair “are absolutely crazy to have 5 [kids] under 5 years old.”
“It’s always exciting to see our parents’ reactions because they both come from big families,” she said. “My mom’s one of seven, my dad’s one of eight, I am one of six, Zach’s one of five. It just wouldn’t feel right if we didn’t keep going, it’s what we are used to!”
While Zach confirmed that everyone is excited for him and Jenna, he revealed that many are hoping that their fifth kid will be a boy.
“They are praying for me that we have a boy this time for my sanity, but as long as the baby’s healthy, that’s all that matters,” he said.
Jenna noted that she and Zach will find out the sex of their fifth baby this week. She also seemed to confirm that they plan to welcome even more children in the near future.
“Every baby I have means I’m closer to being done with having them, so who knows, maybe we will aim for 10!” she said. “As always, we are excited to bring a new baby in our lives, although we are crazy for having 5 under 5 years old, I wouldn’t trade the chaos for anything.”
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(Photos: Instagram)
21 Responses
He’s an asshole and she’s dumb. A perfect match.
Well damn girl is it really that good?
He’s so gross.
so much for letting your body heal for a year. how unfortunate.
I don’t know who they are, but congratulations to them! Children are a blessing and it’s not like she is being like Kail with 37 baby daddies. They are a family.
5 in 5 years is crazy. I genuinely hope she has support outside of Zach because that is a lot to take on.
I hope they also take into account Jenna’s health, that many pregnancies back to back isn’t good for anyone.
5 kids in 5 years just sounds like so much for her body to go through 😮💨 But I’m happy for them.
People with some many kids in rapid succession have mental issues
I had 4 kids in 4 years because it’s what worked best for us. Might not be the best choice for you, but don’t judge.
Bless you and your family. I’m a mom of one. I’m really curious as to know what made you want to have 4 kids in such a short time?….I was shell shocked/scared straight after my first one.
Biggest reason- the first two came together! Once we survived newborn preemie twins, we felt like we could handle about anything. I might have wanted more space in a perfect world, but I was old and didn’t get that option.
Cool that my family is getting downvoted,guys! 😂
Good for them because I have two kids and I love them, wish I could’ve had more. Having kids is amazing, a blessing and your life is not complete and you will not grow and experience the full spectrum of life if you do not have kids. Kids change the way you see everything and changes your whole life for the better, if you’re a good parent anyways
Wrong Ambie……wrong. Blanket statement if there ever was one. Just because YOUR life wouldn’t be complete without children doesn’t mean that applies to everyone. Plenty of people choose not to have children and they are perfectly fine. The world is not black and white….lots of gray. But maybe not in your world.
Regardless of the fact that I am a beyond proud single parent of THREE boys, I have to agree with MollyBean… Look, I LOVE my sons. I think MY life would not be complete or as full as it is without them. Luckily, I waited until I was 29 to have my boys (which ended up being twins for my first pregnancy LOL) and I travelled before, and had a lot of fun and got a lot out of my system. In their early years they may have worsened my mental health LOL (J/K), but overall, they have honestly helped me get rid of my anxiety and taught me to take it a day at a time and to live in the moment. However- My Very best friend in the world never wanted kids and ended up having to have a hysterectomy anyway, and I have several friends that just didn’t want to have kids and they live very full lives. My best friend dotes on my sons and they love her. I envy the spontaneity in which my friends without kids, live their life. They are still able to travel and they usually have money to spend on themselves. When I travel, I have to take them and money? Ha! I make decent money, but between feeding a six year old and two 13 year olds (and their friends), and keeping them housed, fed, clothed etc, I rarely have money for me. And that’s okay! I know it won’t always be like that. They are a LOT of responsibility and sacrifice. I truly believe you can have a fulfilling life without children. But if someone asks if they should have kids, I lean towards yes, even if you are questioning it. But there are people that just know they don’t want kids and their life CAN be complete and it is absolutely okay to not have them! Anyway- Oof, FIVE kids and all under FIVE- Yikes. I couldn’t do it!
I feel like they could have their own reality show. Five kids under five with a tool husband, will always entertain a large audience.
I don’t know these people, why do you think he is a tool?
WTF?
Whatever floats your boat. Hopefully Zach is nice to her.
Jesus, they’re quicker than the fundies