Amber Portwood continues to capture public attention, albeit for troubling reasons. In the latest episode of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter, the reality television personality confessed to fabricating a pregnancy scare to avoid her filming commitments for the MTV show. The unfolding narrative in her first appearance this season primarily revolves around her ex-partner, Gary Shirley, his wife, Kristina Shirley, and the challenges of co-parenting their teenage daughter, Leah Shirley. This revelation has sparked discussions about authenticity and the pressures faced by reality stars.
The series Teen Mom: The Next Chapter offers a glimpse into the lives of former participants from Teen Mom OG and Teen Mom 2, showcasing their journeys through parenthood at different life stages. The speculation surrounding Amber Portwood’s limited appearances has largely been attributed to her mental health struggles. As Gary pointed out, ?A person with bipolar disorder experiences significant ups and downs.? He suggested that these challenges may have contributed to the growing distance between Amber and their daughter Leah, emphasizing the impact of mental health on family dynamics.
Amber Portwood Fabricates Pregnancy Test to Evade Filming Responsibilities
During a candid discussion, Gary Shirley touched on the emotional distance he has felt from Amber Portwood, which led to the show’s production team arriving at her residence with cameras in tow. In a moment of vulnerability, Amber disclosed her request for a pregnancy test from a Teen Mom: The Next Chapter producer, which she hoped would delay filming. Why the fabricated scare? She candidly shared her feelings of panic, stating, “It was an ex. I?m freaking out right now. I?m scared. Just pray for me that I wasn?t too much of a jackass.? This highlights the intense emotional turmoil she has been experiencing.
The episode took a revealing turn when it became known that the pregnancy test Amber requested remained unopened, prompting her to admit that she had no actual need for it. She reflected on her struggles, explaining that due to her mental state, she has a history of resorting to dishonesty. “There?s been many times in my life where I?ve had to lie in order to get out of doing things because I?m not able to get ready, get dressed, move around, do anything. You just lie to people and say, ?I?m busy, I have this sickness.? You want to make up something to where they?re like, ?We?re not going to do anything,? [or] ?You don?t have to film.?? This insight reveals the profound impact mental health can have on personal accountability.
Amber further opened up about her emotional state following her tumultuous breakup with Gary Wayt, who is often referred to as “Gary 2.0.” She expressed, ?I?m fked up from what he did to me. We?re talking trauma. Being told you?re a murderer and thinking your fiancé is dead. I did not sleep for four days. I did not eat.? Despite her struggles, she remained hopeful about the possibility of reconciliation with her daughter, Leah, when she emerges from her current state of despair. Acknowledging her complicated relationship with motherhood, she stated, “I’ve never been a mom that didn’t care. Just a f-ed up mom.” This admission speaks volumes about the challenges she faces as a parent while grappling with her own issues.
