Gary Shirley reflects on his family life from 16 & Pregnant to Teen Mom, overcoming challenges with daughter Leah.
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How did Gary Shirley end up on TV in the first place?
It all started by accident, back when he was just dating Amber Portwood.
They filmed what became the pilot for 16 & Pregnant, way before anyone expected fame to hit.
Amber’s brother had mentioned her to producers, and suddenly, cameras were rolling.
Gary thought it was a scam at first, but after a quick casting video, they were in—kicking off a wild ride that changed everything.
What’s it like dealing with fans and the show’s drama?
People love to chime in, forgetting it’s all edited for TV.
Gary, now 38 and a star on Teen Mom: The Next Chapter, gets messages like, “Be nicer to Amber” or “Leah should forgive her.”
He gets it, though; some folks are in similar spots and want to defend her.
Over time, he’s learned to brush off the noise because real life doesn’t play out like a scripted episode—it’s messier, with years of trying to make things work when one side isn’t showing up.
How has Leah handled her family’s ups and downs?
For Leah, who’s 16 now, watching her parents’ chaos on screen is straight-up embarrassing.
She sees them at her age, fumbling through fights and failures, and it feels weird.
Yet, she’s turning it into something positive, sharing her story to help others with abandonment issues or tough family stuff.
Being on TV? It’s been a blessing for her, letting her open up about the hard parts.
What does fatherhood mean to Gary these days?
Being a dad is Gary’s biggest win, even if he’s not perfect. He pauses a lot, second-guessing if he’s doing right by Leah as she grows up fast.
With her into reading, crocheting, baking, and eyeing a nursing career, he’s proud of the young woman she’s becoming.
Soon, she’ll have prom, graduation, and even an official adoption by Kristina, his wife since 2015, who’s helped create that steady home Leah needs.
What’s next for Gary and his family?
He’s soaking in these moments, wishing time would ease up a bit. Gary hopes he’s guided Leah well and will always be there as her rock.
As for the show, catch MTV’s special nod to 16 years of 16 & Pregnant on the May 1 episode of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter—it’s a trip down memory lane.
In the end, Gary’s story shows how family can pull through the tough times, one real, unfiltered step at a time.