Amber Portwood’s Future with Teen Mom in Doubt Following Departure from the Show
Amber Portwood’s recent announcement about leaving the Teen Mom franchise might not tell the entire story.
An insider reveals exclusively to Us Weekly that Amber, 34, has issued threats to quit several times in the past. Currently, however, “No one has submitted an official resignation on her behalf regarding the show.”
The source adds that Amber has not been dismissed from the MTV series. Rather, the former star of 16 and Pregnant is prioritizing her mental health.
“As this season wraps up, everyone is just waiting to see what the future holds for the franchise overall,” explains the insider.
This past weekend, Amber participated in a TikTok Live session, where she addressed rumors of being let go from the MTV show.
“Guys, this is so strange to me,” she expressed in a video obtained by TMZ. “Not only am I not being let go, I quit three days ago. I informed Larry [Musnik] the producer that I quit because my mental health is far more important.”
Us Weekly has reached out to MTV for their comments.
Currently, MTV is airing new episodes of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter, which feature Amber, her ex Gary Shirley, and their 16-year-old daughter Leah.
In recent episodes, viewers have seen Gary, 38, taking steps towards having his wife Kristina Shirley formally adopt Leah. (Leah’s relationship with Amber has been fraught and challenging in recent years.)
The insider notes that Gary and Kristina have taken “center stage” on the show, which has been tough for Amber.
“She hasn’t been as involved in the show as she has previously,” the source shares.
“It’s been a tough adjustment for Amber, especially since [Gary and Kristina] aren’t in a good place with her,” adds the insider. “Amber has been hesitant to return to the show for quite a while, as it has been contentious with Gary and their daughter, making it increasingly difficult to watch. The drama and accusations have only intensified.”
During a February episode of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter, Amber, who has openly discussed her battles with mental health and her diagnosis of bipolar disorder, became emotional while addressing the estrangement from her daughter.
“She doesn’t want to be around me,” Amber revealed to the cameras. “I’m trying to figure out how I can wait for my daughter and avoid becoming a severely depressed person. I’ve never been a mom who didn’t care. Just a messed-up mom.”
As new episodes of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter continue to air, sources indicate to Us that everyone is eager to see what lies ahead for the long-running franchise.
With cast members such as Maci Bookout and Leah Messer having children in high school, the insider suggests that the show may begin shifting focus to the next generation of cast members.
“They are looking to include the children more, so that could be the direction they choose going forward,” a source clarified. “It has come full circle, as the kids are now teenagers, presenting an opportunity for those who grew up in front of the cameras.”
With reporting by Andrea Simpson
