Teen Mom

MTV’s reality series Teen Mom is a spinoff of 16 and Pregnant and focuses on the lives of several young mothers as they navigate family, romance and motherhood. The series originally focused on Maci Bookout, Catelynn Baltierra, Amber Portwood and Farrah Abraham, all of whom were featured on 16 and Pregnant.

In 2017, Abraham was fired from Teen Mom over her decision to work in the adult entertainment industry. She was replaced by Are You the One? alum Cheyenne Floyd and Sarah Palin’s eldest daughter, Bristol Palin. Palin departed the show in 2019 before Teen Mom 3’s Mackenzie McKee joined the series.

Abraham’s firing was far from the reality show’s only controversy.  Footage of Portwood assaulting her now-ex Gary Shirley, with whom she shares daughter Leah, prompted a police investigation in 2010. One year later, Portwood was arrested for breaching her probation agreements and for substance possession. She was given a five year sentence but claimed in 2013 that she was released early on good behavior. In 2019, she was arrested for two counts of domestic battery and one count of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon following an alleged dispute with ex Andrew Glennon.

Teen Mom ran for a total of nine seasons from 2009 to 2021. The show’s success has allowed for multiple spinoffs including Teen Mom 2, Teen Mom 3, Teen Mom: Young Moms Club and more.