MTV’s Cory Wharton has faced tough physical challenges on The Challenge, even competing in a final with a torn ACL. However, he says nothing compares to the difficulty of watching his three-year-old daughter, Maya, be hospitalized again.
“It was terrifying,” said a regular contestant on The Challenge in a recent interview with TopMob News. Despite having a rare heart condition that’s required several open-heart surgeries and numerous hospital stays, “We were completely shocked by this,” Wharton explained. “It came as a total surprise.”
Taylor Selfridge, who is also a mother to 6-year-old Mila, was with the girls when I was away filming a project in Thailand. It took me 32 hours of travel just to get back and see her. The first time I saw Mila after five weeks, she was on a ventilator, which was a very surreal experience.
It’s been a month since Ryder, 9, spent three weeks in a Dallas hospital, and her father, Wharton, says doctors are still trying to figure out what caused her to develop plastic bronchitis. He explained that they’re unsure why these casts were growing in her lungs, which is frightening because there isn’t a clear answer yet. Wharton shares Ryder with Teen Mom star Cheyenne Floyd.
He reported that her vital signs are stable and she’s doing well, with healthy heart function.
Doctors are working to understand how the young girl developed lung problems that made it hard for her to breathe, and everyone will be closely watching her progress as she approaches her fourth birthday.
He explained that doctors told them to watch for signs like turning purple or losing consciousness, which was frightening. He didn’t want to have to constantly monitor his child, waiting for these alarming symptoms to understand what was happening.
Still, they’ve all been breathing a bit easier since Maya was discharged.
As soon as we left the hospital, she started getting much better, really quickly,” Wharton said. “She hadn’t said much at all during her stay, and we were starting to get worried. But the moment we walked out, she was back to her normal, playful self, talking like she always does.”
They’re now taking things one day at a time. He also said she’s currently at home and enjoying life to the fullest.
And she’s not the only one.
Wharton, 35, confirmed that a strong emotional connection can form in difficult circumstances, often called ‘trauma bonding.’ Even though he and Selfridge were having problems before their daughter Maya ended up in the hospital, he explained that changed during the three weeks they spent constantly by her side. Facing the situation together and prioritizing Maya’s well-being brought them closer.
Maya was on a ventilator for five days, and it was a very difficult time. Her father explained they kept her heavily sedated, almost in a medically induced coma. During those days, he and Taylor – presumably Maya’s mother – had deeply personal conversations they wouldn’t normally have.
Oh my gosh, listening to them talk, it was EVERYTHING. Basically, they were saying they realized all the little arguments and annoyances? Totally unimportant now. They finally figured out what really mattered: making their family strong and being amazing parents to their daughters. It was so beautiful and honest, I could just feel how much they wanted to make things work, and it completely melted my heart!
Even though this has been a terrible experience, Wharton said there’s a small positive: he and Taylor reconnected and agreed to make an effort to spend time together.
Because, yes, the terrifying experience did serve as a reminder of just how short life can be.
Wharton said the experience really shifted how she looked at life. She realized that many of the small stresses she used to worry about just didn’t seem important anymore, because they weren’t significant in the bigger picture.
What does is getting to spend some time in the happiest place on Earth.
Wharton emphasized wanting her daughters to have fulfilling lives, filled with simple joys like playing outdoors and being active. She said she wants to encourage them with things like, ‘Let’s go to the park and have fun!’
We absolutely shouldn’t cancel Mila’s Disneyland trip for her April birthday. Maya’s doctor gave us the go-ahead, saying she should enjoy the rides and experience everything. Wharton pointed out, “Why would we keep her isolated when she can have fun?”
Wharton is also experiencing success, having been given the chance to train with both the U.S. men’s and women’s rugby teams.
Earlier this month, Wharton joined a training session with the Quest Nutrition team in San Diego. He said he couldn’t pass up the chance to train alongside such dedicated athletes. While he’s used to pushing himself hard in the gym—he believes he should be the one sweating the most—he admitted learning to play rugby was a humbling experience. Despite that, he enjoyed getting out, running around, and meeting the Olympic athletes.
He also picked up some of the brand’s latest products for his daughters. Besides their popular Stacks Bars, he was excited about a new Salted Caramel Protein Shake. He plans to add it to smoothies, explaining that’s the only way he can get his kids to eat fruits and vegetables.
He plans to sneak a little fun into their summer as well.
I’m really hoping to plan a summer trip for my daughters! We already had a fun outing to Catalina Island and celebrated Maya’s fourth birthday with a visit to Disneyland on June 1st. I’m trying to get something else booked, but Taylor has already let me know she doesn’t want to travel too far. Honestly, I was a little disappointed – I was really dreaming of a longer, more distant getaway!
He dreams of traveling to Africa for safaris and visiting Egypt someday. Overcoming a really difficult experience motivated him to start planning these trips, as Wharton explained. He’s now focused on appreciating each day and making the most of life.
He’s definitely not the only one who’s experienced relationship challenges. Let’s take a look at how other stars from Teen Mom have navigated their love lives.
Viewers first met Catelynn Lowell and Tyler Baltierra on the first season of 16 and Pregnant in 2009, when they made the heartbreaking decision to put their daughter, Carly, up for adoption. The couple, who are now married, wed in August 2015 after being together for 13 years. They have since welcomed three more daughters into their family: Novalee, Vaeda, and Rya.
Even though they still miss Carly, who lives with her adoptive parents, Brandon and Teresa Davis, the couple remain hopeful and continue to work towards a better future.
Catelynn explained to TopMob News in January 2025 that she and Tyler want to respect their daughter’s wishes regarding their relationship. She said they’re open to any level of connection—whether it’s with her biological siblings or with them as her parents—and will fully support whatever makes her comfortable. Catelynn emphasized that their daughter’s needs and feelings as an adoptee should be the priority.
Maci Bookout and Ryan Edwards were only together for a few months when they found out they were expecting. Viewers watched their relationship struggles unfold on 16 and Pregnant. They got engaged, but after their son Bentley was born in 2008, they broke up less than a year later.
Maci and Ryan are currently working on having a healthy co-parenting relationship. In 2023, Maci told TopMob News that things are going well, and Ryan is being more reliable as a parent than in the past.
Maci met Taylor McKinney in 2012, and they quickly became partners in life. They started a family with the arrival of their daughter, Jayde, in May 2015, followed by their son, Maverick, in 2016. They then got married in Florida that October.
They’re partners in life and business, running the TTM Lifestyle fashion brand. In a 2023 interview with TopMob News, she described him as her best person, saying that despite any challenges they’ve faced, she always chooses him. She admitted they have their disagreements, but she’d rather work through problems with him than not have a partner at all.
Even though they’ve both started dating other people, the stars from the MTV show The Challenge are still working together to raise their daughter, Ryder.
From the moment Cory became a part of Ryder’s life, we always discussed the kind of father and parent he wanted to be,” Cheyenne told TopMob News in March 2020. “I wanted him to be fully present and committed, not just someone who provided fun moments or social media content. I think he understood my expectations from the start, which is why we’re able to co-parent so effectively.”
Cheyenne and Zach briefly separated in 2018 but decided to try dating again. She announced on Instagram, while celebrating her 28th birthday, that they were back together. They then welcomed their son, Ace, in May 2021, and got married in September 2022.
In 2024, Cheyenne told TopMob News that the past two years had been about achieving major life goals. They welcomed their baby, Ace, got married, and purchased a home – completing everything they’d hoped for.
She continued, saying she simply didn’t want to do anything or strive for any goals. All she wanted was to relax, be peaceful, and enjoy the moment with the people around her. She didn’t need anything more than that – just contentment and connection.
Cheyenne revealed she was pregnant with her third child during an episode of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter that aired in May 2025.
Oh my gosh, Zach actually talked about this! Apparently, they went back and forth so much about having a baby. He said he really wanted one at first, but then she wasn’t so sure, and he felt like they weren’t on the same page. But thankfully, they eventually got to a place where they both wanted it and decided to try! I’m seriously so happy little Saint is coming in December 2025 – it’s like everything aligned perfectly!
It might seem unlikely to find love while filming a reality show, but Cory and Taylor Selfridge, who first connected on Ex on the Beach, have proven it’s possible. Years later, they’re still together and have two daughters, Mila and Maya.
He told TopMob News in 2023 that he and his partner recently purchased a house. He also acknowledged the public’s interest in their potential wedding plans, saying they’ve discussed it and are working towards it. He explained they only need to set a date and propose – something both he and his partner want, and that he wants to do right by her. They’re currently focused on taking the necessary steps to make it happen.
I’ve been following Ryan’s story for a while now, and it’s been really tough to watch. Shortly after he and Mackenzie Standifer got married in May 2017, he bravely checked himself into rehab. It was a difficult time, as Mackenzie gave birth to their son, Jagger, in 2018 while Ryan was still getting the help he needed. It was a lot for them both, but they faced it together.
Mackenzie and her husband welcomed their daughter, Stella, in January 2020, but she filed for divorce three years afterward.
After ending his relationship with Mackenzie, Ryan began dating Amanda in 2023. A year later, while on vacation with his family, he proposed to her.
The pair welcomed daughter Presley in February 2025, seven months before announcing their marriage.
Despite a very rocky and public breakup in 2013, the couple continued to successfully raise their teenage daughter, Leah, together for several years.
Amber explained to TopMob News in January 2022 that while they enjoy each other’s company, they maintain some space in the relationship. She described it as a strong family unit, prioritizing that dynamic above all else.
Families sometimes disagree, and Amber and Gary clearly have a strained relationship, with Amber frequently airing her grievances online. Her relationship with Leah has also become difficult, as documented on Teen Mom: The Next Chapter.
After being together for several years, getting engaged, and even trying to work through their issues on the reality show Marriage Boot Camp, Amber and her fiancé Matt Baier, who moved from Boston, ended their engagement in 2017.
Amber explained on Dr. Drew Pinsky’s podcast that she and her partner reached a breaking point where they stopped really listening to each other and she simply stopped caring about the relationship. She said she built emotional walls to protect herself from further hurt.
Amber found love while filming Marriage Boot Camp with a crew member named Andrew Glennon. They first appeared as a couple at the 2017 MTV Movie Awards, and in May 2018, they welcomed their son, James.
Amber and Andrew separated shortly after Amber’s arrest for domestic battery in July 2019. Following a difficult legal dispute, Andrew, who is from California, was granted full legal and primary custody of their son in 2022.
The reality TV star shared with TopMob News that she’s been working hard on personal growth and strengthening her bond with her children. She explained that while she’s always been open about her history with substance abuse and mental health challenges, everyone deserves a chance to move forward and not be defined by past mistakes.
She refused to be discouraged, saying, “Even if life hasn’t been easy, if you’ve worked to improve yourself and become a stronger, kinder person, keep going – I will too. My love for my children is what drives me, and I’ll always fight for them.”
Amber met Dimitri Garcia online, and he first appeared on Teen Mom OG in April 2020. Amber described him as a handsome 39-year-old—ten years her senior—and explained that after getting to know each other, they decided to meet in person.
During the April 2021 reunion of Teen Mom OG, Amber shared that she was still with Dimitri, explaining they’d been seeing each other for 18 months, though she hadn’t seen him in a year. While they never publicly broke up, Amber introduced a new boyfriend, Gary Wayt, on Teen Mom: The Next Chapter in June 2024.
Amber met Gary 2.0 on a dating app in the fall of 2023, and he quickly became more involved after she introduced him to her fellow cast members during an online conversation.
He proposed in May 2024, but their engagement didn’t last long. While Amber was in North Carolina for her brother’s wedding the following month, Gary left after an argument, and Amber ended up filing a missing person’s report.
And while Gary was soon located, the duo’s engagment wasn’t the only thing left broken.
Amber shared on Teen Mom: The Next Chapter that she went through a terrifying ordeal where she believed her fiancé had died. She explained she spent three or four days mourning and struggling to understand why anyone would put her through such pain, adding that she’s currently dealing with a very difficult situation.
She explained, “He really hurt me. I was doing well, emotionally stable, but this is the first time in years I’ve felt completely off-kilter, and it’s all because of getting engaged.”
Let me tell you, life is wonderful! My husband, Gary, and I were so thrilled when our daughter, Emilee, arrived in April 2015. It wasn’t long after that we decided to make things official with a beautiful, intimate beach wedding. It was a perfect day!
In a 2022 Instagram post, Gary shared how much he appreciated someone, calling them one of the most beautiful people he knows and saying he couldn’t manage life without their support.
Farrah Abraham’s daughter, Sophia, was born in December 2008, two months after her father died in an accident.
After losing her high school boyfriend, Farrah’s first significant relationship was with real estate agent Simon Saran, and they dated on and off for more than two years.
Their breakup in 2017 was really messy, even involving legal threats, but they did attempt to stay on good terms, though not very successfully.
Simon explained to TopMob News that he wasn’t angry with Farrah, but they simply had different lifestyles. He felt she preferred a superficial life, while he valued authenticity. He expressed his good wishes for her future success.
Jenelle Evans and Andrew Lewis, parents of Jace, separated shortly after he was born in 2009, and Jenelle wasn’t very involved in raising him.
As a longtime viewer, I remember Jenelle saying something really honest about Jace’s dad. She admitted she felt bad, but she was worried about him being a disappointment to her son. She didn’t want him to come back into Jace’s life just to leave again – she wanted to protect her little boy from that kind of hurt.
I’ve been following Jenelle’s life for a while now, and it’s been quite a journey! She was married to Courtland Rogers for a year, and then she had her son, Kaiser, with Nathan Griffin back in 2014. Later, in September 2017, she married David Eason on their property in North Carolina. They had welcomed their daughter, Ensley, just eight months before the wedding, so it all happened pretty quickly!
Following a difficult period where David faced a misdemeanor charge of child abuse concerning Jace – which Jenelle believed was a deliberate attempt to damage his reputation – she announced that they had split up.
She explained on social media that she would have gotten divorced immediately if North Carolina law hadn’t required a year of legal separation, and proof of living at two different addresses.
Their divorce was finalized in July 2025.
Do you remember the guy who asked Chelsea Houska when he could finalize the paperwork to deal with their child? He referred to their child as a ‘mistake’.
Completely in the rearview.
Okay, so Chelsea and Adam… it’s honestly amazing! I never thought they’d be okay, but they actually have a really good relationship now, especially for Aubree’s sake. She told Us Weekly that there’s absolutely no drama, no bad blood at all! They actually see each other sometimes, and she says it’s totally fine! I’m seriously so happy for them – it’s the best thing for their little girl, and it’s just… good to see!
Chelsea and Cole DeBoer first met in 2014 at a gas station, and their connection quickly blossomed into a marriage in October 2016. They later welcomed their children: son Watson in 2017, and daughters Layne in 2018 and Walker in 2021. Now, the couple is sharing their life and design skills with their new HGTV show, Down Home Fab.
Chelsea said she wanted to return to television with a project that was fun, uplifting, and allowed her and her family to be themselves. She felt this opportunity was a perfect fit, explaining it was a ‘cool’ way to achieve that.
Chelsea mentioned in June 2025 that many of her friends feel finished with having children, but she isn’t sure if she’ll ever feel that way herself.
Leah Messer and Corey Simms tried to build a life together, but after marrying in October 2010, they divorced just six months later. They share teenage twin daughters, Aleeah and Aliannah.
Corey has been married to Miranda Patterson since 2013.
Leah married Jeremy Calvert, a pipeline worker, in 2012, and they had a daughter named Adalynn the following year.
Even after their breakup in 2015, they’ve tried to share parenting responsibilities for their daughter, though it hasn’t always been easy.
Leah shared with TopMob News that watching her daughters grow is like seeing a fuller, happier version of herself. She finds it incredibly rewarding to support their passions and be involved in their lives, calling it a magical experience. She especially loves being a mom to girls.
Leah and her daughters were already fans of Jaylan Mobley, a U.S. Army officer, when they publicly announced their relationship on Instagram in 2021.
The couple announced their engagement in August 2022, but broke up that October.
Looking back, I really needed that breakup,” the Teen Mom star told TopMob News a year later. “I’ve grown a lot since then, and I feel like my life is finally starting to move in a positive direction.
Kailyn Lowry became a mother at 17 when her high school boyfriend, Jo Rivera, and she had their first son, Isaac, in 2010.
Although their romantic relationship didn’t last, Kailyn and Jo have successfully co-parented their son. They even reached a point where Kailyn and Jo’s wife, Vee Torres, co-hosted the podcast Baby Mamas No Drama together for several years. Kailyn shared on X (formerly Twitter) after attending Jo and Vee’s wedding in 2018, “We’ve both grown a lot since we were young,” and added that she couldn’t ask for a better stepmother for her son, Isaac.
Kailyn’s son Lincoln was born in November 2013, about a year after she married Javi Marroquin. Kailyn was a star on Teen Mom 2 at the time.
The couple separated in late 2016 and have had a somewhat difficult relationship since then as they’ve both started new chapters in their lives.
Kailyn Lowry began dating Elijah Scott, while Javi Marroquin married Lauren Comeau in a small, private ceremony on Vero Beach, Florida, in April 2025. Lauren shared on Instagram that only Javi’s father, their children Eli and Maizee, and their pastor were present. They are planning a larger reception with family and friends this summer. Lauren explained that everyone was supportive, Javi’s mother had already been involved in their sons’ milestones, and they wanted a special, intimate experience for their family, including having her father walk her down the aisle.
In August 2025, several months after their June beach wedding, the couple announced they were expecting their third child. Javi shared the news on Instagram, calling the baby “the best honeymoon souvenir.” He praised his wife, saying she was the strongest woman he knew and they both felt incredibly lucky.
Kailyn and Chris had two sons, Lux and Creed, during their complicated relationship, but they ultimately broke up.
She told TopMob News in 2020 that they weren’t speaking at all. While she hopes things will improve eventually, she doesn’t have any strong expectations. She has no ill will and simply wants what’s best for their children, whatever that may be.
Kailyn felt she’d found a solid partnership with construction worker Elijah, who is father to her son Rio and twins Verse and Valley. She told People that their relationship was unlike any she’d had before with her children’s fathers. While Elijah works a tough, hands-on job pouring concrete, he’s also deeply committed to family – both his own and theirs. Kailyn feels this makes him a great partner and that they’re a good fit for each other.
A strong enough one that she finally said yes to one of his many proposals, in fact.
Kailyn told TopMob News in September 2024 that her now-partner, who was originally a neighbor, proposed to her multiple times. She wasn’t rejecting him, she explained, she was just saying, ‘Yes, but let’s wait a bit.’
Ultimately, though, the timing wasn’t right, Kailyn revealing in July 2025 that they had split.
She explained on the Give them Lala podcast that she receives a lot of criticism for ending relationships with her children’s fathers. She clarified that she left those relationships because she doesn’t tolerate mistreatment.
Kailyn and Ike have known each other for a long time, going back to their high school days, but they didn’t become a couple until 2025, after she ended her relationship with Elijah.
She admitted in a January 2026 video for her Patreon subscribers that she hadn’t been looking for a serious relationship, but felt an instant connection after their first time together, and both of them recognized it immediately.
Okay, so after meeting Ike, things moved pretty quickly – he moved in with me not long after! I’ll be honest, I knew my kids might see it as a bit selfish at first, and I totally get that. It’s a big change, and it takes time for everyone to adjust when a new person comes into the family dynamic.
Let me tell you, some connections are just undeniable – when there’s real chemistry, you feel it. And honestly, I’ve learned that I need to prioritize my own happiness first. It sounds simple, but I can’t be the mom I want to be if I’m not fulfilled as a woman. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not looking to anyone – and history proves it! – to complete me. The men in my life haven’t exactly been a source of joy, so I’ve realized I have to create my own.
Jade Cline, from Indiana, and Sean Austin have faced challenges since their daughter, Kloie, was born in 2017, but in January 2022, Jade hinted to her followers that things were getting better for them.
Things really turned around for both of us, and I was especially thrilled to see Sean thriving and building an amazing future. I’m so incredibly proud of how far we’ve come! We got engaged after about eight months, and then we were married in October 2023 – it was a dream come true.
Jade admitted in 2024 that her relationship isn’t flawless, but she emphasized that she and her partner share a strong love and are committed to making things work, according to TopMob News.
I was so thrilled to hear that Ashley Jones and Bar Smith finally made it official! They’ve been together for years, and I remember being so happy when they announced they were expecting Holly back in 2017. It turns out they actually got married privately in 2021, which is wonderful news. They’re such a sweet family, and I’m sending them all my best!
But after calling off their romance several times, Ashley officially filed for divorce in 2024.
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