As you’ve likely heard by now, two new faces will be joining the cast of Teen Mom OG this season.
Cheyenne Floyd and Bristol Palin will both be appearing as regulars when the show’s eighth season premieres on October 1 — and the reaction from fans has been mixed, at best.
While producers always planned to replace Farrah Abraham, who was fired due to misconduct issues last year, it was widely assumed that they would cast someone with previous experience as a member of the Teen Mom/16 and Pregnant franchise.
Instead, producers pulled talent from the political arena (Palin) and from elsewhere on the MTV lineup (The Challenge star Floyd, who — it should be noted — never had a child until she was in her twenties).
The casting news came as a shock to many fans, particularly as it was widely assumed that former Teen Mom 3 star Mackenzie McKee was a shoe-in for the position.
McKee had already been passed over once, when producers decided to cast Briana DeJesus on Teen Mom 2.
Many felt that McKee deserved the job, and when an MTV camera crew was sent to McKee’s home earlier this year, it was expected that an official announcement that she had joined the cast was imminent.
However, we now know that the network was simply filming scenes for a “where are they now?” special that’s set to air next week.
On Instagram, McKee hinted that she was less than thrilled by the decision, writing:
“I’ve been done real dirty this year, let’s just say that…”
In the past, fans have accused Mackenzie of throwing shade at Cheyenne due to comments she’s made on social media.
But today, McKee is making it clear that her beef is not with Cheyenne or Bristol, but with MTV.
“It’s obvious what is going on right now and that’s okay,” McKee recently told Radar Online.
“I have nothing bad to say about anyone. I am extremely happy for all the girls,” she added.
“These girls all have a great opportunity and I hope they use it in a positive way.”
But while she obviously wishes nothing but the best for the ladies of Teen Mom OG, McKee clearly (and rightly) believes that she was unjustly passed over for a spot on the show.
“Many out there have loved ones who are dealing with cancer and through my mom, I wanted to encourage those people to go out and live your best life, even if you’re told you have 4-12 months,” McKee recently wrote on Instagram.
“Some way, somehow, I will make sure that she doesn’t leave this earth without inspiring the world.
“Unfortunately, it’s just not a story MTV was interested in.”
McKee adds that she would have liked to share her story as a “suicide attempt survivor” and hopes that she’ll be able to find another platform on which to do so.
