Sophia Michaels
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This article contains discussions of grooming, sexual abuse, and mental health issues.
In 2011, when 16-year-old Courtney Stodden married 50-something Doug Hutchison, the world was taken aback. Stodden has since expressed her unsettling feelings about their marriage, culminating in their divorce in 2020. Reflecting on their relationship now, she sees it as deeply troubling.
During their marriage, both Stodden and Hutchison made media appearances to advocate for their unconventional relationship. Notably, Stodden identifies as non-binary and has since outlined the troubling dynamics of their union. A pivotal moment came to light in an interview on “Call Her Daddy.” Stodden revealed discovering suspicious communications between Hutchison and a 15-year-old girl, echoing the same types of messages Hutchison had sent to them. “It clicked for me that I was involved with a predator. I had been groomed and it was hard for me to accept,” Stodden recounted to host Alex Cooper.
Stodden, grappling with these revelations, worked with attorneys to protect the young girl affected by Hutchison’s actions. “I took matters into my own hands to help this girl because I know precisely what he is capable of,” Stodden explained.
If you suspect child abuse, please reach out to the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or use their live chat services.
Stodden describes Hutchison as emotionally abusive
Hutchison’s significant age difference and the power imbalance played a major role in their relationship dynamics. In candid discussions, Stodden admitted they had left Hutchison multiple times, but faced severe consequences during those separations. Tragically, those experiences included sexual assaults, which Hutchison later twisted into manipulative “teaching moments.” “Every time I returned to him, he would say, ‘You left me. What did you expect?’” Stodden shared.
Even after their divorce, breaking free from Hutchison’s manipulative hold proved challenging for Stodden. During a guest spot on the “Just Trish Podcast,” they revealed lingering feelings of love for Hutchison despite their separation. However, through therapy and self-reflection, by 2022, they had made the decision to block Hutchison from their life entirely, although sometimes struggled against the urge to reconnect. “It’s a psychological battle for me,” Stodden admitted.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, support is available. Please visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network or contact RAINN’s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Stodden dismisses Hutchison’s claims of ignorance regarding her age
Since separating from Doug Hutchison, Courtney Stodden has openly criticized his attempts to downplay the age difference in their relationship.
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In a recent interview, he insisted that he was unaware of how young his spouse was when they began corresponding via email.
On the show “Call Her Daddy,” Stodden made significant allegations against their former husband, stating that “he claims he never knew my age, which is simply not true.” Stodden clarified that her mother informed Hutchison about her age at the very beginning of their interactions. “My mom got a call where he expressed interest in teaching me acting. Her response was, ‘Sure, but she just turned 16,'” Stodden revealed. This counters Hutchison’s prior denials, as he has often asserted he was oblivious to her age. He previously voiced deep sadness upon discovering Stodden’s age, claiming it altered his emotional perspective after developing feelings for the teenager. “It turned my world upside down … but it didn’t make me want to end things. It was difficult for me emotionally,” he expressed.
In light of his feelings, Hutchison arranged to meet with Stodden’s parents to obtain necessary approvals to maintain their relationship without interruption. Disturbingly, past interviews with the couple indicated that Stodden was informed the documentation was necessary to prevent legal issues. When questioned about why they couldn’t wait until Stodden turned 18 to marry, they responded during an appearance on “Dr. Drew’s Life Changers,” saying, “It’s risky. If we dated, he could face jail time.”
Courtney Speaks on Media Bullying
While Doug Hutchison faced justified backlash for marrying a minor, Courtney Stodden has opened up about the significant bullying they experienced from the media throughout their marriage.
Stodden’s public feud with Chrissy Teigen, which intensified after Teigen sent Stodden messages urging them towards self-harm, has garnered significant attention. During their conversation on “Call Her Daddy,” Stodden expressed surprise at Teigen’s hostility and emphasized that while they appreciated the public apology Teigen gave years later, a personal outreach would have meant more. Nonetheless, they acknowledged that Teigen might have changed since then.
Stodden also recounted being mocked by figures such as Anderson Cooper, who featured them on his “Ridiculist” segment on CNN. They revealed to Business Insider that this treatment was damaging. “Being ridiculed night after night just added to the mockery I faced as a child in an abusive situation,” they stated. Cooper has yet to respond to these comments. However, Jason Biggs, who also made jokes at Stodden’s expense, reached out to apologize, which Stodden truly appreciated. “Everyone makes mistakes, but not everyone owns up. Jason, I’m grateful for your apology,” Stodden remarked in a heartfelt Instagram post. They expressed hope that more people would take accountability this way.
If you or someone you know is having a hard time or in a crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org
Courtney Stodden Looks Forward to New Beginnings
Despite being forced into adult experiences far too early as a minor, Courtney Stodden acknowledges that there were many traditional milestones they missed. In a conversation with Page Six last year, they humorously compared it to a “Benjamin Button” experience.
Since leaving their marriage, Stodden has embarked on new endeavors, such as pursuing their driver’s license for the first time. They’ve also taken steps to educate themselves about real estate and financial management. Given Stodden’s estimated net worth is considerably lower than many presume, they liken their financial struggles during their marriage to Britney Spears’ conservatorship. Nevertheless, they are determined to make positive changes for their future, understanding that while the journey may cause anxiety, it’s essential for their growth. “Facing that fear is worth it,” they mentioned to Page Six.
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Finding one’s inner strength can be both daunting and exhilarating. While the journey may be fraught with fears, the feeling of being alive and pursuing a deserving place is a sentiment that resonates deeply.
It’s inspiring to see someone embrace such a positive perspective — we celebrate their journey!
Courtney Stodden’s Relationship Journey
Fans were thrilled when Courtney Stodden got engaged to producer Chris Sheng in 2021, hoping for a joyful new chapter. However, after about a year, the engagement ended, as reported by sources. In a striking show of moving on, Courtney was seen on video flushing the engagement ring down the toilet, humorously bidding it farewell.
Unsurprisingly, Stodden chose to leave the past behind, announcing their engagement to Jared Safier in June 2024, followed by a wedding shortly after Thanksgiving. Stodden shared that their families’ presence made the spontaneous wedding feel right, despite playful skepticism from their relatives. Expressing some anxiety about their second marriage, Stodden noted their desire for a happy ending.
However, Stodden emphasized being in a better place now, feeling that this relationship is where they truly belong. This clarity marks a significant shift from their feelings during their first marriage to Doug Hutchison, which they described as unsettling. With a commitment to personal growth through therapy, there’s every reason to believe in Stodden’s continued journey forward. We wish them all the happiness in their future endeavors.
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