Why Amy Duggar Says Her Cousins Wearing Pants Was a “Slap in the Face”

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Amy Duggar King is well aware she was once considered the “crazy cousin” on reality TV.

In summary, she stood out among her relatives due to her choices – opting for jeans instead of traditional attire, cutting her hair into a style that was different from the norm, and having a romantic partner, which set her apart.

However, as Uncle Jim Bob Duggar and Aunt Michelle Duggar eased the strict guidelines they previously followed for their children during the later seasons of “19 Kids and Counting”, daughters such as Jinger Duggar Vuolo, Jana Duggar, Jill Duggar Seewald, and Joy-Anna Forsyth began to adopt more modern fashion choices, including wearing pants and cutting their long hair.

In a unique conversation with TopMob News, she expressed surprise, saying, “I must admit, I was caught off guard.” She continued, “It’s like, ‘Oh, now you’re wearing jeans. Now you’re cutting her hair.’ So the actions that were once considered wicked and rebellious, and for which I faced criticism—I was seen as a wild girl.

And, at times, it made her resentful.

In a candid manner, the 38-year-old, who’s set to appear in season two of Prime Video’s show Shiny Happy People, airing July 23, went on to say, “In essence, it felt like a harsh reminder that all those years of hard work amounted to nothing. Disappointing.

Reflecting on her childhood years, Amy – the sole child of Deanna Duggar, Jim Bob’s sister, and her former spouse Terry Jordan – considered herself as “the odd one out.” Despite understanding that she was the more relatable individual in the TLC series, dealing with daily criticism from her extended family proved to be a struggle.

She remembered thinking, “I’d depart in tears following the shoot, feeling weighed down, and just feeling so misconstrued.” or “After filming, I’d often depart in tears, overwhelmed by a sense of being burdened and misunderstood.

In the second season, Amy – who previously opened up about her unconventional upbringing within her well-known religious family – had a significantly distinct childhood compared to her relatives.

She mentioned in season one that her upbringing was very much about rock ‘n’ roll. Her philosophy was live life to the fullest. During her teenage years, she had posters of Jonathan Taylor Thomas and *NSYNC on her walls, along with other popular boy bands. She also enjoyed having pool parties and socializing with boys.

It was all thanks to her mom, who, alongside Jim Bob, grew up in a conservative Baptist home.

In the first season of “Shiny Happy People,” Deanna reminisced about a rule from our past: we weren’t permitted to attend dances. For a while, I myself wasn’t even allowed to wear jeans, and as a cheerleader, I couldn’t buck that trend. It was forbidden. Consequently, I made sure my daughter Amy had the liberty to do anything she desired, especially those things I was once prohibited from doing.

Amy found herself often uncomfortable concerning Jim Bob and Michelle’s life at the Institute of Basic Life Principles, a topic central to the first season, long before their son, Josh Duggar, was given a 12-year prison sentence for allegations involving child pornography possession. (He had denied these charges and continued to claim his innocence.)

Amy shared with TopMob that she has confided in her close friends about feeling uneasy, stating, “There seems to be a disconnect or inconsistency, and I can’t quite put my finger on what it is, but something just doesn’t feel right.

Following her initial discussion about her experiences with her cousins during the first season, she eagerly agreed to rejoin for the sequel that delves into Teen Mania – a time when it held the title as the biggest evangelical youth group in the United States.

She clarified, “That resonated with me immensely. If there’s an opportunity to illuminate paths and aid others in healing from spiritual wounds, I’m all for it. I’d be happy to champion such a cause.

Although Teen Mania seemed attractive on the surface, it required teens to participate in demanding Navy SEAL-like endurance tasks, hazardous missionary journeys, and mentally taxing internships – all under the looming threat of Biblical reprisal.

Amy pointed out, “If something seems overly ideal or perfect, it likely isn’t. Perfection doesn’t truly exist. It’s disheartening that many cults begin with good intentions. They do have noble beginnings. It’s perfectly fine to believe in a higher power. It’s okay to extend support to people who are lost and in pain in their lives.

However, if you push it to extreme levels such as inflicting pain, using it for military purposes, restricting freedom, and disregarding God’s teachings, then you’ve strayed from your original intent and lost sight of your goal.

For a closer look at the Duggar family tree, keep reading.

High school sweethearts, these two eventually became the proud parents of 19 children and grandparents to more than three dozen little ones.

Michelle shared a memory of being “rescued” at the age of 15. One evening, Jim Bob was conducting home visits for his Baptist church when he was directed to the Ruark family’s house by a friend who mentioned that “a girl from school who recently found faith and is a cheerleader” lived there.

They extended an invitation to Michelle to attend Sunday school at their church, and Jim Bob mentioned that he had asked God to make them each other’s spiritual mentors – although it seemed Michelle didn’t find their initial encounter particularly noteworthy. A year passed, and Michelle applied for a position at the frozen yogurt store owned by Jim Bob’s parents. In a blog post from 2017 for Jim Bob’s birthday and their 33rd wedding anniversary, Michelle recounted in a letter that she had met Jim Bob at the cash register where he was working. She recalled being timid but pleasant during their interaction, although she said she couldn’t recall much about their conversation except that Jim Bob eventually asked her to accompany him to the junior-senior banquet.

At Shiloh Christian, they shared a dinner together, but it was the subsequent nights spent at her home discussing scripture for hours that solidified their bond, as Michelle later recounted. They completed high school in May of 1984 and tied the knot in July; she was only 17 while he was 19 years old.

The couple dedicated themselves to God and each other for the long run.

Jim Bob previously held the position of state legislator, representing Arkansas’s sixth district in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2002. During his tenure, he served as vice chair of the House Corrections and Criminal Law Subcommittee. He attempted to run for U.S. Senate in 2002, but this was unsuccessful. In 2006, he also failed to secure the Republican nomination for Arkansas State Senate District 35.

They, along with Michelle, who are duly licensed real estate agents, have been actively involved in conservative movements – a facet of their lifestyle that has earned them both admirers (supporters) and detractors (critics). Additionally, they were avid fans and outspoken critics of the reality TV show “19 Kids and Counting,” which initially debuted in 2008 as “17 Kids and Counting.

As of October 2024, they were grandparents of 33 with three on the way.

The eldest member of the Duggars, Josh Duggar, made his entry into the world on March 3, 1988. Later in life, he also took up activism with conservative views, advocating for organizations like the Family Research Council.

In 2015, police records from the past emerged showing that he had been accused of inappropriate behavior towards several girls, including his sisters Jessa Duggar and Jill Duggar, when he was a young man. Later in June of the same year, Jessa spoke out on Fox News, stating that the harsh accusations against her brother were “exaggerated” and “untrue,” as she had been one of the alleged victims herself.

His wife, Anna Duggar, who he wedded during their September 26, 2008, ceremony showcased on “19 Kids and Counting”, stood by him even in the aftermath of his confession about infidelity.

In 2016, when he admitted himself to a rehabilitation facility, his parents referred to it as “an essential initial move towards recovery and restoration.

The parents of Mackynzie (born October 8, 2009), Michael (June 15, 2011), and Marcus (June 2, 2013) had another child, Meredith, on July 16, 2015. This was the same day that TLC canceled their show, “19 Kids.” Their fifth child, Mason Garett, was born on September 12, 2017, followed by Maryella Hope on November 27, 2019, and Madyson Lily on October 23, 2021.

In this version, I’ve tried to simplify the language without losing any of the original meaning. The sentence structure is kept relatively similar, but some words have been changed for clarity, such as “their” being replaced with “the parents of” and “arrived” used instead of “was born.” Additionally, a comma has been added after “Maryella Hope” to make the sentence easier to read.

In an indictment filed in April 2021, Joshua was accused of receiving and possessing child pornography. He entered not guilty pleas for each charge. In 2022, he was convicted on both charges (though the possession charge was later dismissed by the judge), and received a sentence of 12 and a half years in prison.

Not long after Joshua’s birth, Michelle experienced another pregnancy followed by a miscarriage. As they mourned this loss and sought divine direction, they discovered they were expecting twins.

In my expertise as a lifestyle advisor, I can tell you that it feels like a divine dual blessing. This experience is serving as a heartening reminder from God. I’m constantly learning and growing through this unique journey. It’s indeed an uncommon scenario for me to be breastfeeding one child while expecting another so soon. Yet, it seems the Lord has tailored this situation especially for us, making it all the more extraordinary.

John David Duggar and his twin sister Jana Duggar were born on Jan. 12, 1990.

After a long period of knowing one another in the background, followed by a swift romantic courtship that began at a church gathering in Oklahoma (where they had previously known each other for several years), John David and Abbie-Grace Burnett tied the knot on November 3, 2018.

On January 7, 2020, they happily welcomed their daughter Grace Annette Duggar into the world, and they had a son named Charlie Duggar join them in September 2022.

On their 30th birthday in January 2020, Jana wrote in a heartfelt message: “From when John and I were kids, people have often asked if we share a special connection, like feeling each other’s emotions or knowing what the other is thinking…John, I’ve always said no to that—but now, with the birth of little Gracie, I can truly say that I felt as much joy as you did, so perhaps it does exist!

Jana went on to say, “It’s truly heartwarming to see you with Abbie in your parental role. You two seem so natural at it! I have no doubt those same qualities that make you an exceptional brother will also make you a fantastic father.

Jana observed as eleven out of her total eighteen siblings tied the knot, before herself falling in love with Stephen Wissmann – a man whose sister Hannah is wed to Jeremiah, Jana’s own brother. Although there were moments of exasperation, she believed it was all part of a divine design orchestrated by God.

In August 2024, just before her wedding, Jana expressed to People that she hasn’t always grasped the overall scheme of things, but trusts that God knows what is ultimately best for everyone. Thus, she chose to wait for marriage. She stated, “If every story were identical, life would be monotonous; each of ours will unfold uniquely.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase it as:

I, being born on the 17th of May in 1991, find myself sharing a romantic story similar to my parents’. It was during the festive season of Christmas 2011 that our paths crossed with Derick, who happened to be caroling near our home with his church group.

Jim Bob served as a cupid, facilitating the relationship between Jill and Derick. The two grew fond of each other through emails and video calls. In November, they visited Derick in Nepal, and their bond deepened further. Over time, they became more enamored with one another. Derick proposed to Jim Bob’s daughter, Jill, in February 2014, and they got married on June 21, 2014. They are proud parents to three sons—Israel, born April 6, 2015; Samuel, born July 8, 2017; and Frederick, born July 7, 2022.

In the month of April 2024, Jill revealed that they had experienced a miscarriage when anticipating their first daughter with Derick.

In the Amazon Prime Video documentary titled “Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets“, which made its debut in June 2023, Jill and Derick pondered over the contentious issues and religious convictions related to Jill’s family, as depicted within the series.

Jim Bob and Michelle’s fifth child, Jessa Duggar, was born Nov. 4, 1992.

Jessa got acquainted with Ben at church, and he started wooing her back in 2013 – an antiquated method of love-making that was quite novel for many viewers. Prior to their engagement, they didn’t discuss their romantic entanglements publicly, so Jim Bob clarified to People, “Courting involves getting to know each other in a group setting, where both families spend time together and the couple establish shared objectives to ascertain whether they are destined for marriage. In contrast, dating typically involves a couple spending time alone, which can sometimes lead to a more intimate relationship.

Ben asked for Jessa’s hand in marriage and proposed in August 2014, marking the beginning of their relationship with a touching moment. They officially tied the knot on November 1, 2014. At that time, Jessa was expecting their first child, which led to the cancellation of 19 Kids and Counting. TLC then aired a special about sexual abuse, involving Jill and Jessa, to educate viewers further on the topic. The sisters later became stars of their own show, titled Jill and Jessa: Counting On, which premiered that winter. Over time, this show expanded to include other Duggar siblings, eventually becoming known as Counting On.

During November 5, 2015, Jessa and Ben had their first child named Spurgeon; they then welcomed Henry on February 6, 2017, Ivy Jane on May 28, 2019, and Fern in July 2021. In the holiday season of 2022, Jessa experienced a miscarriage which she shared in February 2023. Later in December 2023, they were blessed with another child, George.

On May 7, 2025, Jessa announced baby No. 6 is on the way.

The sixth Duggar child, Jinger Vuolo, was born Dec. 21, 1993.

Jinger and Jeremy first met while working on ministry projects in Laredo, Texas, and their relationship blossomed into courtship in 2016. They tied the knot on November 5th, 2016, which was also Spurgeon (the bride’s nephew) ‘s birthday, and soon after, people began speculating about a potential pregnancy.

In a year’s time, we anticipate being firmly established, continuing our ministry right here in Laredo, and simply striving to serve the Lord in whatever capacity we can. This was shared by Jinger during a June 2017 episode of Counting On.

On July 19, 2018, their beloved daughter Felicity came into the world. It was in May of that same year when they announced that Jinger was pregnant once more—unfortunately, she had experienced a miscarriage the previous autumn. Then, in November 2020, they were blessed with another daughter, Evangeline Jo.

Son Finnegan Charles was born March 29, 2025.

Born on January 20, 1995, Joseph Duggar found himself proposing to Kendra, whom he had met through church, during the romantic backdrop of his sister Joy-Anna’s wedding in May 2017. Their courtship had only been going on for a few short months prior to this special moment.

Joseph confessed to People that he was certainly anxious before proposing, yet he wasn’t fearful of her refusal because she had already expressed, “I’m simply waiting for you!” After the proposal, Kendra exclaimed, “I’m overjoyed and utterly surprised. I have so many things I want to express, but all I can say is shocked.

They’ve made an announcement about the births of their son Garrett (born in June 2018), their daughter Addison (born in November 2019), and their other daughter Brooklyn (born in February 2021).

Eighth in line, Josiah Duggar was born on Aug. 28, 1996.

Approximately a few months following their public relationship, the duo made their engagement official in March 2018. He revealed in a statement that the location where he proposed to Lauren was the same spot where her parents had been engaged. This area holds significant family history, making it a particularly meaningful place for Lauren.

In a video shared on their blog, Michelle, who will be Lauren’s mother-in-law in the future, expressed her affection by saying, “Lauren is truly a treasure to us.” Jessa and Ben also conveyed their congratulations, along with treats shaped like X’s and O’s. Michelle playfully suggested, “I think you two might want to save your first kiss for your wedding day, but if you visit us here, we’ll have a special surprise ready.” She gestured towards the sweet treat she was holding as an enticement.

In the summer of 2015, a past relationship with Marjorie Jackson came to an end. As Josiah shared with People magazine in March 2016, they enjoyed their time together and were simply trying to follow God’s guidance. However, Marjorie felt it wasn’t the right moment, so they took a break from each other for a while.

On June 30, 2018, they got married, and as they shared with People, their wedding day was “perfect beyond belief.” Their first child, Bella Milagro, was born on Nov. 8, 2019. The name means “miracle baby,” a fitting tribute after the couple experienced a miscarriage in October 2018. They were blessed with another daughter, Daisy, in 2022, and their son, Ezra, arrived in May 2023.

Ninth sibling Joy-Anna Duggar was born Oct. 28, 1997.

She had been acquainted with Austin Forsyth for a period of fifteen years, primarily as friends. Their friendship transitioned into a courtship, following which they moved swiftly. He popped the question in February 2017, and they tied the knot on May 26, 2017, at Cross Church in Rogers, Arkansas – incidentally, where Joseph proposed to Kendra.

On February 23, 2018, Joy-Anna and Austin became parents to a baby boy named Gideon Martin Forsyth. Exactly two years later, on August 21, 2020, they welcomed their daughter, Evelyn Mae Forsyth. And most recently, on May 17, 2023, they added another son to their family, Gunner James Forsyth.

On the 30th of December, 1998, Jim Bob and Michelle welcomed their second pair of twins, named Jed Duggar and Jeremiah Duggar, into the world.

Jed tied the knot with Katey Nakatsu a year after they started dating, in April 2021. They now have a son named Truett, born in May 2022, and a daughter called Nora Kate, who joined the family in June 2023.

In July 2024, Jed and Katey shared the news that they were expecting twins, and their lovely daughters Elsie Kate and Emma Kate arrived on January 8, 2025.

Jeremiah, who is a qualified flight instructor, is married to Hannah Wissmann (sister of Jana’s husband Stephen). Together they have two children: Brynley, born in December 2022, and Brielle, born in February 2024.

They announced the arrival of their third daughter, Emery ‘Emy’ Jane Duggar, on May 18, 2025.

No. 12 Jason Duggar was born on April 21, 2000.

Back in January 2017, it was reported by the Daily Mail that Jim Bob aided Jase in purchasing a fixer-upper worth $33,000 in Prairie Grove, Arkansas, which is approximately a 30-minute drive from the Duggar family’s main residence. Subsequently, he established his own construction company.

In May 2024, he made their relationship public on Instagram with Maddie Grace, and they got married the next October.

Charmed No. 13, James Duggar was born July 7, 2001.

He doesn’t have a public romantic relationship yet, but he’s very loving towards numerous nieces and nephews as an affectionate uncle.

On his 19th birthday in 2019, mom Michelle wrote that James is the beloved “fun uncle” among the younger crowd, who admire him and aspire to be like him. James possesses an incredible ability to accomplish nearly anything he sets his mind to. As a child, we frequently found him tinkering with household appliances, trying to understand their inner workings, and making adjustments here and there.

This year, James dedicated himself to earning his Commercial Driver’s License, and now he’s mastered operating large trucks and heavy equipment! We’re excitedly looking forward to witnessing the incredible things that lay ahead for him, as guided by his destiny.

No. 14 Justin Duggar arrived on Nov. 15, 2002.

In September 2020, he made their relationship with Claire Spivey known to the public. They became engaged in November of the same year, and they tied the knot on February 26, 2021.

In the company of his elder sister Jill, Jim Bob and Michelle’s fifteenth child, Jackson Duggar, made his entrance into the world on May 23, 2004.

On his 16th birthday, Michelle, Jackson’s mom, complimented his wit and mentioned her anticipation that he was eagerly waiting for the day he could receive his driver’s license.

Johannah Duggar, who was born on October 11, 2005, is the focus of the initial family reality show titled “16 Children Under One Roof: Moving In“.

In a post on her 15-year-old daughter’s birthday in 2020, Michelle expressed that this girl is full of joy and sociable, with a passion for meeting new people. Her younger siblings hold her in high regard, even seeing her as the moon itself, and she couldn’t be more thankful to God for allowing her to be her mother!

Jennifer Duggar arrived on Aug. 2, 2007, then the baby of the family.

Their TLC show that premiered Sept. 29, 2008, was christened 17 Kids and Counting.

Now, OMG, she’s a teenager.

Michelle penned, “Jennifer is reliable, devoted… and delightful!” when her granddaughter celebrated turning 13. “She’s adored by the nieces, nephews, and often found with one of them clinging to her because they don’t want her to let go! Jennifer also cherishes animals deeply and diligently attends to her pets daily! Lately, she’s been instrumental in rearing a brood of 7 baby bunnies!

Here on the right, the penultimate Duggar child was born Dec. 18, 2008.

In 2019, Jordyn-Grace was described by her mother as an outgoing girl who seems to instantly connect with everyone she meets. Her laughter is consistently one of the highlights of our days.

Josie Duggar, seen cradling her niece Meredith here, was born on December 10, 2009. She arrived three months early and weighed just 1 pound, 6 ounces. Consequently, she spent six long months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

On her baby’s 11th birthday in 2020, Michelle remarked that Josie is a whirlwind of activity. From dawn till dusk, she seldom takes a break!

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2025-07-23 17:48