Maci Bookout, Catelynn Lowell and Amber Portwood Reflect on 8 Seasons of ‘Teen Mom’ 

Credit: John Phillips/Getty Images; Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTV; Kamil Krzaczynski

Maci Bookout, Catelynn Lowell and Amber Portwood Reflect on 8 Seasons of ‘Teen Mom’ 

A trip down memory lane! It’s been nearly 10 years since Maci Bookout, Catelynn Lowell and Amber Portwood first let MTV cameras into their homes, and now, the OGs are reflecting on eight seasons of Teen Mom exclusively to Us Weekly. Teen Mom, later renamed Teen Mom OG, premiered in December 2009, months after Bookout, Lowell, Portwood and Farrah Abraham appeared on 16 & Pregnant. After Abraham left the series following an argument with executive producer Morgan J. Freeman over her career in the adult film industry in season 7, Bristol Palin and Cheyenne Floyd joined the cast. Teen Mom OG returns to MTV Monday, October 1, at 9 p.m. ET. Scroll through to read their high points and low points from the series:

Credit: John Phillips/Getty Images; Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTV; Kamil Krzaczynski

Maci Bookout, Catelynn Lowell and Amber Portwood Reflect on 8 Seasons of ‘Teen Mom’ 

A trip down memory lane! It’s been nearly 10 years since Maci Bookout, Catelynn Lowell and Amber Portwood first let MTV cameras into their homes, and now, the OGs are reflecting on eight seasons of Teen Mom exclusively to Us Weekly. Teen Mom, later renamed Teen Mom OG, premiered in December 2009, months after Bookout, Lowell, Portwood and Farrah Abraham appeared on 16 & Pregnant. After Abraham left the series following an argument with executive producer Morgan J. Freeman over her career in the adult film industry in season 7, Bristol Palin and Cheyenne Floyd joined the cast. Teen Mom OG returns to MTV Monday, October 1, at 9 p.m. ET. Scroll through to read their high points and low points from the series:

Credit: MTV

Still on the Air 

“I don't even think I realize what I was signing up for,” Bookout, 27, tells Us about the docuseries. “Even after [the] first year, and I think two days later after 16 & Pregnant aired, I went to the mall and people were recognizing me and that was when I was like, ‘Oh what did you do? What happened?’” And then I thought it was gonna be over and 10 years later, here we are.” 

Credit: MTV

Making a Difference 

“I can’t believe [it],” Lowell, 26, admits about still filming the show nine years later. “I never thought it would go this long. As long as it’s making an impact still, that’s all that matters.” 

Credit: MTV

Ups and Downs 

While Portwood, 28, says she tries “not to watch the show,” she listens to the fan feedback. “I mean obviously everybody knows my low points, you know, they see it on the show. You see when depression, when I'm angry,” admits Portwood, who was previously diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder. “Everybody sees my high moments, when I'm happy. Definitely my highlight for this season is having my beautiful baby boy [James] and, you know, probably a low moment was just kind of being depressed, trying to get myself together for my family … happy mom, happy family. That’s my main concern.” 

Credit: John Phillips/Getty Images

The World Keeps Spinning 

“I feel like there’s been cycles of both. I don't think that any one thing stands out more than the others as being a highlight or a low point,” Bookout says, before revealing most of her high moments involve her eldest son, Bentley and her two kids with husband Taylor McKinney: Jayde and Maverick. “But some of the top ones are definitely finishing college, my high school graduation, any milestones Bentley hit or I don't know, any cute stuff. And then I guess most recently, probably Taylor and I getting married and Jayde and Maverick, but I mean honestly, it just runs together.” 

Credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTV

Full Disclosure 

Lowell, who sought treatment for depression and suicidal thoughts twice during season 7, hopes her darkest days are behind her. “I think my lowest point was last season with my mental illness stuff, and, like, really complementing suicide,” she explains. Her best year? 2015. “I think my high moment, I would have to say the birth of [daughter] Nova and us getting married all in the same year.”   

Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski

Happier Than Ever 

After a rollercoaster decade, including a stint in jail, Portwood, who is now mother of two and dating cameraman Andrew Glennon, is in disbelief with how her life turned out. “Hell no I did not thing this was how things would be! But you know, how amazing though right?” she says. “I don't think anybody could've saw this coming, honestly, even the people that watch the show, so it’s really surprising right? So I really like how life’s going — I think I deserve a damn break for one season. I’m just saying. Can I just be boring for a freaking season? I’m sorry MTV!” 

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