Courtney Stodden has criticized child marriage, labeling it “America’s dirty little secret.” She revealed her experiences during an interview with El-Balad, sharing her story of marrying actor Doug Hutchison at the age of 16.
Child Marriage and Personal Reflections
Stodden’s marriage to Hutchison took place in 2011, when she was just 16 years old, while he was 51. In the interview, she shared that she quickly became the financial provider in the relationship. “I was a child who was making money for a man older than my dad,” she said, reflecting on her struggle as a young bride.
Over the years, Stodden faced intense scrutiny and public backlash, which contributed to her feeling isolated. She explained how she created a public persona as a defense mechanism. “I used my fashion as rebellion,” she noted, indicating that this was a way to cope with the harsh criticism directed at her.
Legal Loopholes and Public Awareness
Stodden emphasized that child marriage is often viewed as a foreign issue, but she highlighted its legal loopholes in America. “We think of child marriage as something that’s overseas, but really America has a problem,” she stated. Her call to action aims to shed light on how these laws allow individuals to exploit young girls.
- Stodden asserts that many people share similar stories of being child brides.
- She filed for divorce from Hutchison in 2018, and the divorce was finalized in 2020.
- Stodden revisits her past experiences in the Lifetime program, “Ripped from the Headlines.”
Healing and Moving Forward
Stodden explained that revisiting her past through the Lifetime series affected her emotional healing. “Reopening that wound has been the most difficult thing for me,” she remarked, linking her experience to her complicated relationship with her father who supported her marriage at such a young age.
Since her divorce, Stodden has remarried. In December 2024, she married TV producer Jared Safier in a spontaneous ceremony with close friends and family. She described feeling a sense of safety and trust that she hadn’t previously experienced.
“He’s teaching me a new way of loving,” Stodden said, indicating her hope for a healthier relationship moving forward.
This conversation about child marriage is crucial. It highlights not only Stodden’s personal journey but also the need for society to recognize and address the issues surrounding child marriage in America.
