Thomas Rhett is one of the fastest growing stars in country music. He’s opening for Keith Urban right now, but will be headlining his own tour soon. Although he was born into stardom, he is trying his best to earn a name for himself.

He is the son of country superstar Rhett Akins, but he has been trying to separate himself from his dad because he wants to be known for his own success. “I love my dad with all my heart,” said Thomas. “But that’s one of the questions I’ve been asked since I became an artist.”

Thomas is certainly making a life for himself outside of his dad’s spotlight. He is married to his childhood best friend, Lauren, although they both almost married other people. It was her dad that brought the two of them together.

He called Thomas and said,” If you don’t come over here tonight and tell Lauren how you feel about her then I’m going to tell her how you feel about her.” The two got married in 2012.

Just five years later, in 2017, they welcomed not one, but two daughters. They announced that they were adopting a little girl, Willa, from Uganda. They met her doing charity work with orphans.

During the adoption process, the duo found out that they were pregnant with their biological daughter as well. Just months after Willa was brought home, Ada was born in August 2017.

Though Willa isn’t biologically his daughter, Thomas says they are both equally his. “The word ‘adopted’ doesn’t even make sense in my head anymore really,” said Thomas. “Even though Willa comes from a whole different part of the world, she’s ours and it feels like she never wasn’t.”

Thomas is also aware that Willa has a different background from him and Lauren, but he says he wants her to embrace that part of her life. He says no matter where she comes from, she’s his child. She’s from Tennessee and Uganda, and he wants her to be proud of that.

Although the girls have a country star for a father, don’t expect them to be living a luxurious lifestyle anytime soon. Thomas says he expects them to grow up just like he did, comfortable but not spoiled.

“We had what we needed it but it was never excessive or over the top,” said Thomas. “I hope that we can raise both our children to be proud of who they are and where they came from and that they know me and Lauren love them beyond anything else that exists in this world. I hope we can raise good, kind kids.”