Rebel Wilson Calls Directing First Movie as a New Mom ‘Challenging': ‘Didn’t Get Much Sleep’ (Exclusive)

Wilson welcomed her daughter, Royce, 22 months, in November 2022

<p>Sonia Recchia/Getty </p> Rebel Wilson and daughter Royce

Sonia Recchia/Getty

Rebel Wilson and daughter Royce

Rebel Wilson is learning how to balance her career with being a new mom.

The Pitch Perfect star, 44, spoke with PEOPLE as she premiered her directorial debut The Deb at the Toronto International Film Festival, sharing that it was hard for her to prioritize being a first-time director while also being a first-time mom.

Wilson welcomed her daughter Royce, 22 months, via surrogate in November 2022.

"It was hard," Wilson admits. "Royce was almost turning one. I wasn't getting very much sleep and moved the family back to Australia for it, so it was hard."

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<p>Ramona Agruma/Instagram</p> Wilson, fiancée Ramona Agruma and Royce on her 1st birthday

Ramona Agruma/Instagram

Wilson, fiancée Ramona Agruma and Royce on her 1st birthday

Related: Rebel Wilson Says Watching Elizabeth Banks Make 'Gangbusters' Pitch Perfect 2 Inspired Her to Direct (Exclusive)

"I've got a bit more sleep now, now that the movie's complete and stuff. But it was very challenging to be a brand new mom and to be doing a job that I'd never ever done before. That's it. And I'll recover, I'll recover from that."

Though it was difficult, Wilson tells PEOPLE that her daughter was able to be on set for part of the filming and she's probably seen the movie multiple times at this point.

"Royce came to set several times. Loves it. For some reason, she's probably seen the movie a couple of times," the proud mom says. "She comes in when I'm watching things in my home cinema, she comes in because she hears the music. She does this little baby dancing."

Wilson's daughter recently made her red carpet debut at the premiere of The Deb. Wearing a dress with a sweater over it, Royce smiled in photographs at the annual film event with her mom, who wore a purple gown with her hair styled in an updo.

Wilson's fiancée Ramona Agruma was also present, posing on the red carpet with the actress. The pair got engaged in February 2023.

Shortly after welcoming her daughter in November 2022, Wilson told PEOPLE that her daughter's full name is Royce Lillian Elizabeth Wilson.

Explaining the meaning behind each of her names, Wilson said, "I wanted an original name starting with the letter R and so eventually landed on that one. Lillian and Elizabeth are both family names carried by women in my family who I admire. Elizabeth, which is also my middle name, after the late Queen."

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