MTV is rebooting 16 and Pregnant, and at least one of the girls who rose to fame from that very program is now speaking out against it.
In her view, signing up for the new iteration of the series that spawned Teen Mom, Teen Mom 2 and Teen Mom 3 would be an epic mistake.
How’s espousing this theory, and why?
Mackenzie McKee, who starred on the fourth season of 16 and Pregnant, and then the short-lived Teen Mom 3, now cautions all applicants:
This is a very, very poor idea!
“The show was created to show viewers the struggle of what it is to become a mother at a young age,” McKee explained of the premise.
“What you miss out on, the sacrifices you must make to raise your child,” she adds, claiming that it’s become a spectacle since then.
“I do not think MTV should continue to find new teen moms,” McKee says, fearing MTV will attract girls who TRY to be in this position.
It gives her the chills, and not in a good way, to think that some “16-year-old could possibly purposely get pregnant for a shot of fame.”
Mackenzie is quick to remind fans that the current celebrity Teen Mom alumni did not do this with the goal of becoming crazy famous.
“The ladies whom are on Teen Mom did not get pregnant for fame,” she said, though it certainly did result in that through the years.
“They had no clue at the time how far with TV they would come. But they do boldly shared their stories to show others what a struggle it is.”
At face value, McKee does not make terrible points; Teen Mom is a TV juggernaut now, hence the current rebooting of 16 and Pregnant.
How much that inspires the motives of teenagers, no one can say, but there’s no denying that it’s a cultural force that it once wasn’t.
The irony, though, is with the messenger herself.
Mackenzie, more than any other 16 and Pregnant alumna, has managed to squeeze out as much fame out of it as humanly possible.
Beyond that, she’s sad she couldn’t milk more.
Despite being the hottest girl in franchise history, she couldn’t save Teen Mom 3, and was just passed over for a coveted second chance.
McKee was pissed at Briana DeJesus joining Teen Mom 2, believing she “worked” harder for the promotion over the years (seriously).
She will shill for anything and even go so far as to fake Mackenzie sex tape rumors or public cheating scandals just to stay relevant.
Regardless, the mom of three states that she never got pregnant to be a celebrity, and becoming a mom is not a career launch pad.
“It’s not what it’s cracked out to be,” the Oklahoma native said of her 15 minutes. “MTV is a short time in your life and a baby is forever.”
“I spent my whole life cheering thinking I was going to go to the best college with the best cheer squad and chase my dreams of becoming a coach.”
“That dream took a turn and so did my life.”
Mackenzie said her message to young girls here in 2017 isn’t just to stay off the MTV casting couch, but their boyfriends’ as well.
Or their beds. Wherever things may lead.
“If I had a message to send out to young girls the age of 16, it would be to respect yourself more,” she said, using herself as an example.
“Don’t cause an emotional attachment by having sex with someone at that age. You’re too young for a heart break like that.”
If a man loves you, he will wait for you,” she urges, but on the flip side, “don’t expect him to stay because a baby is involved.”
“I hate looking back knowing I was sexually active at the age 16 and pray everyday my daughter doesn’t live the way I was.”
Mackenzie is the mother of one girl, Jaxie, and two sons, Gannon and Broncs (for husband Josh’s bull-riding profession).
Astonishingly, Mackenzie, 22, and Josh have been an item (fake breakups aside) before, during and after Teen Mom 3‘s run.
The show premiered and was axed in 2013. Here’s a look at what some other notable alumni of 16 and Pregnant are up to:
