'16 and Pregnant' stars Then and Now: The journey of most-memorable moms of MTV series in real life
'16 and Pregnant' stars: Where are they now?
'16 and Pregnant' was broadcast on MTV from June 11, 2009, to July 1, 2014. The reality series chronicled the lives of high school girls grappling with the challenges of teenage pregnancy. It led to the creation of five spin-off series: 'Teen Mom', 'Teen Mom 2', 'Teen Mom 3', 'Teen Mom: Young and Pregnant', and '16 and Recovering', the latter premiering on September 1, 2020. That same month, MTV announced a comeback of the original series, which aired its first episode on October 6, 2020. Here's an update on what some of the most memorable moms from '16 and Pregnant' have been doing since their appearance on the show.
Jenelle Evans
Jenelle reportedly currently resides in Oak Island with her husband David Eason and their three children, Jace, Kaiser, and Ensley. She has shared glimpses of her home on social media and posted a video of her renovating her "she-shed" on YouTube in January 2021. Jenelle first appeared in a 2010 episode of '16 and Pregnant', which followed her pregnancy with Jace. She joined the 'Teen Mom 2' cast in 2011. She had a brief stint in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2019 during a separation from David but returned to North Carolina in 2020 after they reconciled. She was dismissed from the franchise in 2019 after David killed their family dog for biting Ensley. In October 2023, David was charged with misdemeanor child abuse involving Jace after the teen went missing for the third time in September. Upon being found, Jace was hospitalized with visible marks on his neck and arm, as cited by Yahoo.
Farrah Abraham
In 2009, Abraham became a mother to her daughter Sophia two months after the child's father Derek Underwood died in a car accident. She has since been raising Sophia with her parents' support. Abraham reportedly left the show in 2017 and then featured in 'Ex on the Beach', 'Celebrity Big Brother', and 'Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars Family Edition'. Also an author, Abraham's 'My Teenage Dream Ended' was a bestseller. In November 2018, she pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of resisting, delaying, or obstructing a peace officer, following her arrest in June that year. As part of her sentence, she underwent anger management, two years of summary probation, and five days of community service. She often shares updates about her teenage daughter on Instagram, per Us.
Maci Bookout
Bookout reportedly gave birth to son Bentley with her then-fiance Ryan Edwards in 2008. After their split, she married Taylor McKinney in 2016. They welcomed Jayde Carter in 2015 and Maverick Reed in 2016. Her relationship with Edwards, who has struggled with drug addiction, has been tumultuous. After he sent threatening voicemails, Bookout and McKinney obtained a mutual restraining order against him in 2018. They now run a clothing brand, TTM - Things That Matter. In March 2021, Edwards’ wife, Mackenzie Edwards, alleged that Bookout was responsible for getting Edwards and his family fired from 'Teen Mom' OG. Edwards was reportedly arrested multiple times in 2023 and is currently serving an 11-month sentence for harassing Mackenzie, who filed for divorce in February 2023.
Mackenzie McKee
Mackenzie McKee and her then-boyfriend Josh McKee welcomed their first child, Gannon Dwayne McKee, in September 2011. The couple reportedly got married in 2013 and had two more children, Jaxie Taylor in February 2014 and Broncs Weston in April 2016. After Mackenzie's mother, Angie Douthit, died from brain cancer in December 2019, she accused Josh of infidelity, which he denied. Despite attempts to mend their relationship, they permanently separated in 2022. Mackenzie, who had relocated from Oklahoma to Florida with their three children, is now said to be in a relationship with Khesanio Hall, as per Us.
Chelsea Houska
The former reality star first embraced motherhood in 2009 when she and her then-boyfriend, Adam Lind, had their daughter Aubree. After their breakup, she found love with Cole DeBoer, a native of South Dakota. The couple, who tied the knot in October 2016, are parents to three children — a son named Watson and two daughters, Layne and Walker. When she announced her fourth pregnancy in August 2020, she responded to criticism about the size of her family. She remains active on Instagram and frequently shares family photos.
Catelynn Lowell
In 2009, Lowell and her high school love, Tyler Baltierra, became parents to a baby girl, Carly, in the presence of MTV cameras. They made the difficult decision to give Carly up for adoption. The couple tied the knot in 2015 and expanded their family with the birth of Novalee Reign in January 2015 and Vaeda Luma in February 2019. Lowell has been candid about her mental health issues, seeking treatment multiple times to cope with childhood traumas and the grief of a miscarriage. In February 2021, Lowell and Baltierra, who renewed their vows in September 2019, announced they were expecting their fourth child. Lowell, a Michigan native, reportedly gave birth to Rya Rose in September 2021. Her Instagram bio identifies her as a "Digital Creator," and she frequently shares updates.
Leah Messer
Leah Messer is a single mother to her three children, Adalynn Faith, Aliannah Hope, and Aleeah Grace. Over the years, she has switched careers multiple times, working as a motivational speaker, a cosmetics salesperson for Mary Kay and LipSense, and an author. She published her memoir, 'Hope, Grace & Faith', in 2020. The same year, she began studying for her real estate license and had made some progress by August 2023. In addition to her earnings from the reality series, Leah took on a second job in September 2023.
Amber Portwood
In 2008, Portwood and her then-fiance, Gary Shirley, became parents to a girl named Leah. After their breakup, Shirley obtained full custody of Leah in 2011. Portwood battled substance abuse and anger management issues and was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder. In May 2018, she had a son, James Andrew Glennon, with her then-partner Andrew Glennon. The couple split in 2019 following a heated argument that led to her arrest for domestic battery, resulting in a felony charge and a year of probation. In January 2020, it was confirmed that Portwood was in a relationship with Dimitri Garcia. She obtained a restraining order against Glennon over a custody dispute in January 2021. In July 2022, Glennon was awarded sole legal and primary custody of James and relocated to California with him.
Bristol Palin
Bristol Palin joined the cast of 'Teen Mom' in July 2018, taking over from Abraham. However, she decided to leave after just one season in April 2019. "Teen mom OG wasn’t a fit for me," she stated on Instagram at the time. "It took away my peace.. and honestly – my peace has a price tag that no one but God can afford," per Us. The star has been sharing updates about her health, which explains her reduced activity on social media this year, according to People. "I've been pretty MIA for a year — I stopped taking my adderall Rx and had those two surgeries within the last year — I gained some weight and it definitely took a toll on my confidence,” she wrote. “I honestly didn’t feel like posting anything. *I also just enjoy my privacy much more the older I get," per People.
Kailyn Lowry
'Teen Mom' star Kailyn Lowry has been sharing snippets of her relationship with Elijah Scott on social media since they began dating in April 2022. After parting ways with Chris Lopez, the father of her sons Lux and Creed, in 2020, she revealed her new relationship on Instagram. Lowry, who also has a son Isaac with ex Jo Rivera and a son Lincoln with ex-husband Javi Marroquin, subtly confirmed the arrival of her fifth child in July 2023. In November 2023, while expecting twin boys, she shared her future plans with Scott. She told People, "He's been pushing for [engagement], but I’ve already kind of done marriage once and I messed it up royally. So I’m a little hesitant."