Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are breaking their silence in regards to the new docuseries digging into their lives and beliefs.
The couple — made well-known by their TLC actuality exhibits and later scandals involving eldest son Josh, who’s serving 12 years in jail on little one porn prices — calls Prime Video’s Shiny Joyful Folks: Duggar Household Secrets and techniques, which they did not take part in, “derogatory and sensationalized.” Among the many doc claims are that the 19 Youngsters and Counting mother and father coated up Josh molesting 5 women, 4 of whom have been their daughters, when he was a teen and did not get him therapy. Their daughter Jill Duggar Dillard, one of many victims, participated within the doc, and stated her mother and father pressured her to defend Josh when the allegations surfaced.
“The current ‘documentary’ that talks about our household is unhappy as a result of in it we see the media and people with ailing intentions hurting individuals we love,” the couple stated in an announcement on their web site on Friday. “Like different households, ours too has skilled the fun and heartbreaks of life, simply in a really public format. This ‘documentary’ paints a lot and so many in a derogatory and sensationalized manner as a result of sadly that is the route of leisure as of late.”
The assertion continued, “We now have all the time believed that the very best probability to restore broken relationships, or to reconcile variations, is thru love in a non-public setting. We love each member of our household and can proceed to do all we will to have a great relationship with every one. By each the triumphs and the trials we have now clung to our religion all of the extra and found that by the love and charm of Jesus, we discover energy, consolation and goal.”
Amy Duggar King, who additionally speaks out in opposition to her household within the doc, slammed her uncle and aunt’s assertion.
“Information flash: For those who would have gotten Josh the true, true assist that he wanted a very long time in the past — precise remedy — we would not be on this mess,” Amy stated in an Instagram video. “These lovely women would not have a lot to heal from. You aren’t a sufferer right here. Cease enjoying the sufferer.”
Amy additionally took concern with Jim Bob and Michelle saying they like to “reconcile variations” privately, writing, “Anybody discover what looks like to me… gaslighting? The ‘non-public settings’ are what we’re talking up about!”
The four-part doc seems to be at how the ministry the household lengthy adopted and touted on their exhibits, Institute in Primary Life Ideas (IBLP), teaches that ladies ought to be obedient to their husband and children are taught to observe patriarchal requirements and to not ask questions. Teachings embody that when dangerous issues occur, members ought to pray to place it behind them or ignore it quite than converse up, ex-IBLP members claimed.
The doc seems to be at how that instructing was in play across the molestation allegations in opposition to Josh, but additionally the way it additionally cultivated a poisonous atmosphere throughout the IBLP ministry. Invoice Gothard, who based IBLP and promoted “male superiority and feminine obedience,” was accused of sexual harassment and molestation by over 30 girls, together with some minors, main him to step down in 2014. The doc seems to be at how Josh was despatched to an IBLP facility in 2003 when his mother and father discovered he had been molesting women. There, he did not get psychological well being remedy however did guide labor as an alternative. Jim Bob picked him up early.
On Friday, Jill additionally posted a video to Instagram following Jim Bob and Michelle’s assertion bashing the doc. In it, she thanked followers for his or her help of her talking out. She inspired them to order her upcoming ebook, Counting the Price, co-written by her husband Derick Dillard.
“I do know it’s going to be tough,” Jill stated of releasing the ebook, “however I pray that it additionally simply helps different individuals have a voice to possibly understand that they don’t seem to be alone.”
Counting the Price, introduced earlier this week, will element the “greed, manipulation and betrayal” in addition to “secrecy and lies” they confronted, the couple promised.
Jill — the fourth Duggar little one — waded into that within the doc. She claimed she was pressured to do the 2015 Megyn Kelly interview defending Josh after his molestation claims have been made public. She stated she did not make a cent off of the fact exhibits, which ran from 2008 to 2020, whilst an grownup in her personal spin-off, Counting On, leading to her having to go to a meals financial institution to feed her household at one level. She additionally claimed she did not wish to movie the beginning of her first little one for Counting On, however was informed she needed to.
Jim Bob’s sister, Deanna, additionally appeared within the doc, in addition to Jim Bob and Michelle’s former finest buddies, Jim and Bobye Holt, who talked in regards to the couple protecting up Josh’s abuse as a toddler.
Shiny Joyful Folks: Duggar Household government producer Blye Pagon Faus beforehand informed Yahoo she hopes Jim Bob and Michelle watch the docuseries “and possibly there’s some form of reflection and adjustments.”
The docuseries is a part of a long-running unraveling of the TV household, whose conservative religion and way of life was on the middle of their exhibits. 19 Youngsters and Counting was canceled in 2015 after Josh’s abuse allegations first surfaced. Spin-off Counting On was axed in 2021 after Josh — now a father of seven himself — was arrested on “worst of the worst” little one porn prices. Earlier this yr, Jinger Duggar Vuolo — the sixth Duggar — launched a ebook detailing her upbringing within the cult-like ministry and talked about how “concern was an enormous a part of my childhood.”
