On the eighth day of Perezmas, pop culture gave to us…
Eight intense Teen Mom scandals!
The leading ladies of the long-running MTV series have put us all to work this year, with a flurry of legal issues, arrests, feuds, and alleged abuse. While there was plenty of drama to keep people talking online and viewers tuning into the show, we narrowed it down to the top eight standout moments of the year.
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R.I.P. Nugget
In April, David Eason made headlines for allegedly murdering Jenelle Evans‘ dog Nugget after she bit their daughter, Ensley. As you’re likely aware, the controversial MTV alum had been in trouble in the months leading up to the incident, to the point where crew reportedly refused to film anywhere near him.
As the court of public opinion was heavily NOT in favor of Eason and Evans, the longtime reality star followed in her husband’s footsteps and was subsequently fired by the network. MTV stated:
“We have stopped filming with Jenelle Eason as of April 6, 2019, and have no plans to cover her story in the upcoming season.”
For several months after the incident, things were very much up in the air about what actually occurred with the late pup, and the mother of three was even accused of faking the entire thing for publicity. In September, Eason spoke with People and confirmed that he did, in fact, murder Nugget:
“This was something that nobody wants to ever have to do. The dog was aggressive. Yes, she might not be huge or whatever, but you know when a dog bites a child on the face more than one time, then it should never be around the child again. If you give the dog up for adoption, one day it’s going to be around children again.”
Jenelle & David’s Custody Battle
Unfortunately, the backlash the couple faced after the death of Nugget was just the beginning of their troubles in 2019. Many fans and followers had been vocal in the past about their concerns regarding Jenelle and the kids’ safety, and things only became worse following the Frenchie’s untimely death.
In late May, Jenelle lost custody of her three children, as well as David’s daughter. When they returned home in July from the star’s ex, her mother Barbara Evans, and Eason’s ex, Jenelle made a statement:
“I am ecstatic to regain custody of my kids back! Throughout this long process and final decision, I am excited to be moving forward and continuing to show America I’m a good parent.”
Understandably, many had pushed for Evans to leave her husband following the Nugget incident, but it wasn’t until October 2019 she actually did. Jenelle penned on her Instagram:
“The kids and I have moved away from David. Nobody gets into a marriage expecting it to end but I know thats what is best for me, and for my kids. Today I’ve filed papers to start that process.”
While we’re sure this won’t be the last of the drama, we can only hope for the sake of their daughter things go relatively smooth in the coming months regarding custody and divorce.
Amber Portwood’s Machete Attack
In July, Amber Portwood was arrested in Indiana and charged with one count of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon and two counts of domestic battery after allegedly striking her then-boyfriend Andrew Glennon in the neck while he held their son James in his arms. She also allegedly used a machete to break into the room where he was hiding and reportedly threatened to end her life by overdosing on clonazepam.
In October, she signed a plea deal after pleading guilty to domestic battery and was sentenced to 2.5 years of probation. The local District Attorney’s office confirmed the 29-year-old may leave the state for employment purposes, but other travel requests are subject to approval. She has also been ordered to attend parenting classes.
But it wasn’t long before Miz Portwood was in hot water once again about the whole ordeal. After YouTuber Katie Joy published audio and video of the altercation, she accused the reality star of making thinly-veiled threats in response to the clips. Although these alleged threats were reported to the DA in Indiana, Portwood’s probation officer reviewed the case and determined there was no real violation.
Mackenzie McKee’s Dog
Back in May, Mackenzie McKee of 16 and Pregnant and later Teen Mom 3 revealed in a since-deleted Facebook post that her neighbor took her dog, Hank (left, above), from the yard before calling animal control while she was on vacation in the Bahamas with her husband Josh McKee.
The mother of three was FURIOUS, writing online she did not understand how it was legal for her Harlequin Great Dane to be removed this way. The neighbor responded to the 25-year-old’s post, saying Hank was whining because he was cooped up in his pen:
“We have listened to this poor dog cry for five days in this tiny little pen. There is no dog house, there is only muddy ground. His food was soaked. We didn’t know if anyone would be back.”
The reality star claimed her pup was being fed daily, but did not mention if he was being walked. Eventually, animal control was called by the neighbor who came and collected him immediately, but Mackenzie still called B.S. on the reports, tweeting up a storm about the incident:
“Lies…. all lies… that is all.
If you guys think that my neighbors were telling the truth, you are out of your mind. They have had it out for us since we moved in in October and moving is in the near future.
I love hank more than words could ever describe. I paid 4K to have his fence installed 2 weeks before vacation and they stalled it out longer. So for you all to pull the “don’t pay for vacation if you can’t afford proper care for your dog” bull s**t is insane as well.”
Mackenzie did get Hank back, but we imagine things have not been friendly with her neighbors ever since…
Ryan Edwards’ Arrest
Two months after choosing to end treatment early at a rehab facility, Ryan Edwards was arrested for outstanding warrants on January 23.
Maci Bookout‘s ex was charged with simple possession of heroin, months after being arrested for breaking probation from a past charge that sent him behind bars in July 2018. According to reports, the Teen Mom OG alum had been released from jail after spending three months behind bars on drug possession and theft charges.
The Teen Mom OG alum was released from jail in April after spending three months behind bars on theft and drug possession charges. Around the time of his earlier arrest, his wife Mackenzie Edwards revealed the couple was leaving the show due to producers’ alleged wishes to feature their yet-to-be-born baby being raised by Ryan’s parents. She told E! News at the time:
“We’re not returning to Teen Mom this season. The network told us they don’t want to show Ryan as a recovering addict. But they did want to enter a contract with our unborn baby and have the baby film with Ryan’s parents so it would look like someone else is raising it.”
Kailyn Lowry Calls Out Producers
In a lengthy Twitter thread near the end of March, Kailyn Lowry slammed producers of the show for showcasing strictly the drama in her life over the positive aspects:
“I have struggled, y’all have seen it. I haven’t always made good choices. But I’m getting my s**t together. Started my company. Own a house, building another. Mtv [sic] calls me up to discuss season finale after not filming my house stuff or my surprise party they knew about for a month. Talkin bout they want me to do a boudoir shoot as the season finale. Kiss my ass. All the s**t I’ve been through and been doing and taking my kids on spring break, building house or party….. trip with @TM2LeahDawn isn’t good enough for my finale??? I’m only valued for getting fucking naked??????”
The 27-year-old added:
“I don’t ever sit on my couch & talk about my baby dads as much as I do when MTV is asking. I feel like that’s such a smack in the face. Drama sells but from what I see the happy stories/tv personalities have a bigger following & more opportunity. Am i wrong? At what point can I stop being portrayed as a bitter baby momma?”
Bristol Palin Calls It Quits
In April 2019, Bristol Palin announced she was leaving the series after just one season. Sharing to her IG, the 29-year-old wrote:
“Teen Mom OG wasn’t a fit for me, it took away my peace.. and honestly – my peace has a price tag that no one but God can afford… $ doesn’t impress me, I don’t entertain bs, and walking away from this show allows God to rebuild me (and my little fam) in the right direction. I have love for all the girls on the show, and wish them the best of luck in all their future endeavors!!… xoxo, B”
Sarah Palin‘s daughter was cast on the seventh season of the series following Farrah Abraham‘s departure. The program chronicled the Alaska native’s divorce from Dakota Meyer and her life with her children. The reality TV personality shares daughters Atlee and Sailor with her ex-husband, and also has a nine-year-old son Tripp with her former BF Levi Johnston.
While Miz Palin had experience with reality TV before her latest stint, it certainly seems like this will be her last. In December 2018, she slammed the series for her edit and portrayal. Sharing on social media, she exclaimed:
“If I cared what people thought of me, I wouldn’t be here today – let’s be real. I’ve stood strong and held it down for my kids since day one. No matter how bad @teenmom tries to portray my ‘life’… my babies, my family, my close friends – they know the TRUTH. I’m a pretty great mom, work my ass off, show up, and hustle everyday to give my kids a pretty great life. @mtv doesn’t want to talk about faith, show work ethic, or juggling three kids alone, they don’t want to show the humble process of starting over after a divorce, building a career, or any real life issues. All they want with my little segment each week is some fake fill-in Farrah Abraham/Jerry Springer BS, and it’s simply not true. Don’t get me wrong – I’ve said some mean things and learned a lot the last several months – but the life I’ve built for my kids is NOT sitting around talking about baby daddy drama. Every week is a continued disappointment with their inaccuracies and false narratives. I hate getting all emo on you guys but I’ve kept quiet for too long about it. Don’t believe everything you see on TV.”
Jenelle Evans Versus EVERYONE
Nearly every star from the show has gotten into an IRL or online argument with another cast member, but we’re pretty sure Jenelle takes the cake in this department. The troubled star took to Twitter in July shortly after details of Portwood’s arrest became public and shared links from multiple outlets regarding the news, before tweeting out:
“All I have to say is at least I learn from my past mistakes. ??♀️”
Fans were quick to call her out, given her own issues at the time, and it wasn’t long before Amber chimed in and shared an old link to an article about a 911 call made by Evans where she was worried for her safety and noted to operators David had a gun in the home.
Though Portwood did not add a caption to her tweet, it was assumed by many Twitics that she was reminding her co-star about not learning from past mistakes, as at the time, she was still in a relationship with Eason.
More recently, Jenelle and Kailyn got into an argument of their own on the social media site and it was a DOOZY. It all started when Lowry responded to a now-deleted tweet from Evans’ ex-husband, Courtland Rogers, about potentially divorcing his current wife. Why he was publishing this on Twitter during Thanksgiving weekend… we don’t know. Back to the drama!
The seemingly friendly exchange didn’t sit well with one of Jenelle’s other exes, Nathan Griffith. As you may recall, the two have been on better terms as of late because Kaiser‘s mom is no longer with David Eason. Amid the flurry of responses, Jenelle reportedly replied to the conversation: “Anything for attention” after liking a tweet from her ex which read:
“Kail really?! Why get involved with an ex that obviously gets under @PBandJenelley_1 skin? You don’t want the drama but then you egg on the drama. I know Jenelle has done some shitty things but do you honestly have to keep it going? Not trying to be a dick jusr[sic] speaking truth.”
It would seem Evans insinuated Kail would do “anything for attention,” though she did not reply after Miz Lowry tweeted out:
“This has absolutely nothing to do with Jenelle… what are you talking about?”
Phew!!
Which scandal caught your eye the most this year, Perezcious readers? We want to know!!
[Image via Derrick Salters/FayesVision/Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.]
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