The newest season of TLC’s acclaimed teen mom documentary series Unexpected is scheduled to premiere soon, but even before its debut, the family of a young participant is confronting challenges.
At just 15 years old, Bella Vaughn has stirred up controversy and ignited public discussion due to her inclusion in the show’s seventh season. This is largely because the baby’s father was only 12 at the time of conception.
Following the release of the Unexpected trailer and a wave of backlash, Bella responded to her critics who alleged she engaged in criminal behavior, clarifying: “Just because he was 12 [when he got me pregnant], he turned 13 a few days later!”
Bella further explained that Hunter, the father, ‘was sexually ready faster than I was.’ Despite her comments, questions and criticism from both trolls and concerned viewers continue to surface as the show’s release date, February 16, approaches.
Many are shocked at Bella’s situation and have directed criticism toward her parents, blaming them for her teenage pregnancy and their decision to feature her on television. The family faces a barrage of negativity, even before the show has aired.
One critic suggested that ‘they are absolutely using their 15-year-old daughter for money and internet fame.’
In response, Bella’s father, Kris Vaughn, has addressed the critics, specifically targeting women who have criticized his family. He labeled them ‘unscrewable’ and asserted that their criticisms only serve to increase his family’s wealth.
He stated: “Due to all the trolls, and the women quickly being known as what I have to say on TV as the ‘unscrewables’, they are going to make season 7 hot. It’s going to be a hot season.”
Bella also took to Instagram to defend her parents, emphasizing their support and involvement in her life. She said: “They have done everything for me.
“They support, they take care of me, they help me take care of my kid because I am a teen.”
In a TikTok post, her father addressed the online critics, suggesting that the attention is financially beneficial. He said: “All [the critics] are doing is making us the stars of the show and I got to tell y’all, my royalty check is going to be so fat.
“We’re going to be able to buy a lot of groceries, so thank you all. It’s freaking awesome and you all have a great night.”
This sentiment echoes the views of some TLC fans who, upon seeing clips from the upcoming series, speculated that the parents are seeking fame from their daughter’s pregnancy story. One Reddit user questioned: “What kind of parents go on [TikTok] when they know their comment section looks like that with their child right there?!”
Despite the controversy, Bella insists that their intent is to highlight the challenges of teenage parenthood. She explained: “If you watch Unexpected, they show how hard it is, they show how [many] fights you get [into] and how annoying it is and how inconvenient it is.
“That is what Unexpected is about. It’s not about glorifying it. I’m not recommending teen pregnancy to anybody.”