Reality TV News
Amber Portwood says MTV ‘groomed’ her while she was on the franchise. She also accused Gary Shirley of grooming several months ago.
We can always count on Amber Portwood to bring a little bit of drama and a dash of lunacy into the day. This weekend, Portwood found herself on her preferred social media platform, TikTok, to discuss what’s going on in her life. While she’s spent most of her recent Lives lambasting other people, she’s expanded her purview this time. Portwood took aim at an entire TV franchise, claiming MTV spent years “grooming” her while she starred on Teen Mom.
Amber Portwood says MTV ‘groomed’ her
Over the holiday weekend, Amber Portwood took to TikTok Live yet again to answer fan questions and act absurd. She chatted about many topics during the event, but she always circled back to talk about MTV, her former career, and her ex-fiancé. Fans were particularly shocked to hear the mother of two claims MTV “groomed” her.
In a screen recording taken by a Reddit user, Portwood stated that she and Gary Shirley were engaged in a dispute because she doesn’t want her child to appear on TV in the future, claiming the network “grooms” people. She said the entire “franchise” had “groomed” her from the time she was a teen, and she didn’t want to see it happen again. Followers in the chat were quick to point out that Amber did not appear to understand what the term “grooming” might actually mean.
Portwood has previously claimed that MTV is planning a show centered around the “next generation,” which she has largely opposed. MTV has neither confirmed nor denied that claim, nor has the network addressed Portwood’s wild accusations. Amber Portwood is no longer an active part of the Teen Mom cast.
Amber Portwood has accused people of ‘grooming’ before
Her most recent TikTok Live accusations are far from the wildest claims she’s made. It isn’t even the first time she’s accused someone of “grooming” her. Portwood used the term months ago when discussing her early relationship with Gary Shirley. During a 2024 TikTok Live session, she highlighted the four-year age gap between herself and the father of her oldest child, describing the relationship as inappropriate. She later doubled down on that accusation, reminding followers that she was 16 when she first began dating 20-year-old Gary Shirley. While the age gap is primarily seen as problematic by Teen fans, the allegations of grooming still had fans confused.
Gary Shirley has opted for the high road. The father of two has largely been supportive of Amber Portwood, but there has been significant tension in recent years. Portwood has grown increasingly bitter towards Shirley as their shared daughter, Leah Shirley, continues to distance herself from her biological mother. He has been keeping quiet despite Portwood’s constant jabs.
Will ‘Teen Mom: The Next Chapter’ return for a third season?
MTV aired the season 2 finale of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter this spring. Fans were left with news of a new pregnancy among the cast. Still, there is no indication they’ll ever see that pregnancy journey play out on TV. The future of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter remains uncertain, at best. The franchise is facing declining ratings, as fans are shifting their focus to social media for real-time updates about the cast.
Rumors have been swirling for months that a cancellation was imminent. Brittany DeJesus dropped a comment that announced the end of the series, only to quickly delete it just days ago. Several other cast members have noted that they are a pause in filming right now. What that means for the long-term future of the show is anyone’s guess.
