UPDATED: May 8th, 2020
Unexpected is the latest reality show that focuses on teenage pregnancies. 16 & Pregnant and Teen Mom, which air on MTV, were the first televised teen pregnancy reality shows. Considering all the spin-off series and tons of Teen Mom-related gossip and tabloid coverage, it's not surprising that other networks wanted in on the action.
The first season of Unexpected focuses on three teenage girls, Lilly, McKayla and Lexus and their unconventional pregnancy journey. The show depicts the impact of their early pregnancies on their lives, partners, as well as their families. However, this is far from being TLC's only successful show. From 90 Day Fiancé to Little People, Big World to Say Yes to the Dress, TLC is known for having quite the repertoire of controversial and unique reality series.
As intriguing as reality TV is, it makes people wonder how real the moments onscreen actually are (we've already learned that some moments on 90 Day Fiancé are actually staged). On top of questioning its authenticity, people also argue that teen pregnancy shows like Unexpected tend to glorify teenage pregnancy rather than trying to educate teenagers against taking a similar path. Today, we take a look at some things we didn't know about the girls on TLC's Unexpected.
23 The Bald Part Behind Tylor's Head Is Because Of A Mole (Sort Of)
Anyone who watches Unexpected will have noticed the part behind Tylor's head. Naturally, people wondered what caused this and unfortunately, many were also mean about it. Tylor took to Twitter to reply to the haters and clarify the situation. He explained that when he was a baby, he had a mole that needed to be removed. It then got infected when he was in kindergarten and was hospitalized for 2 weeks. Once it healed, he was left with this part in his hair. End of story.
22 Hailey Tilford Started Selling Essential Oils
In a recent Instagram post, Hailey announced that she is beginning a wellness journey. She stated, "I only want the best natural, non toxic products in my home and on our skin!" You can find details on her partnership with Young Living in her highlights where she's selling a starter kit of essential oils.
21 The Girls On Unexpected Probably Get Paid Between $1,000 To Tens Of Thousands Per Episode
Many wonder whether or not the stars featured on reality shows earn money for their appearances. More often than not, they do. Understandably, cast salaries aren't available to the public so it's up to everyone else to estimate. Based on what's known from other TLC stars, the girls on Unexpected could be earning anything from $1,000 to tens of thousands per episode.
20 The Girls Become Active Very Early
It is already hard to imagine young girls having kids in their late teens, what about the fact that some of these girls get active as soon as they enter their teens. Lexus apparently swiped her v card when she was just 13 years old. Lexus’ mom woke up one night to find her daughter missing. Long story short, she found her at her boyfriend’s house.
19 One Girl Sought Birth Control When It Was Too Late
When Lexus finally came to the decision to use birth control, she could not have any because she was already pregnant. Although her menses were twelve days late she could not accept that fact that she might be pregnant. News of the pregnancy shook Lexus so bad she was actually inconsolable for some time.
18 Another Admits That She Didn’t Think Getting Pregnant Was So Easy
Lilly has proven repeatedly that she is not the smartest kid out there. According to starcasm.net she says that she had no idea that getting pregnant was so easy. What everyone is wondering is why her mom had never had ‘the talk’ with her considering that she had gone through the same thing. At 17 years, Lilly surely must have also known about the consequences of her relations.
17 Their Boyfriends Don’t Always Stay
The fact that teen couples have children together does not mean that they have to stick together. Lexus and Shayden broke up after Lexus gave birth. According to screenrant.com, Shayden was rude and immature. He was also one of the shows least favorite character. Everyone hopes that Lexus finds someone more suitable for her than Shayden.
16 One Girl Thinks That Having A Baby Means That She Is Married
Lilly, on the other hand, has her own analogy as revealed by babygaga.com. She believes that she is married to James because of the fact that they have a child together. Lilly also thought of giving her child his last name. Her mom, who is opposed to the whole idea, says that she should wait until she is married to do so.
15 The Same Girl Dropped Out Of School
From her one-liners, we do not think Lily’s decision to drop out of school was the best idea. However, Lilly had a reason for doing this. Other kids treated her so bad at school during her pregnancy that she eventually gave in to the pressure and quit school.
14 One Of The Teen Moms And Her Mom Were Pregnant At The Same Time
McKayla and her mom, Shannon have not always had the best mother-daughter relationship. When the two ended up pregnant at the same time as narrated on starcasm.net, Shannon saw their situation as an opportunity to get close to her daughter. She even tried to convince McKayla to have a joint baby shower.
13 One Pair Of Grandparents Still Hasn't Learned To Avoid Teenage Pregnancy
Her grandparents raised McKayla because her mom, Shannon got into questionable behavior after McKayla’s dad passed away and could therefore not care for four-year-old McKayla. Her parents had no option but to take custody of the girl and raise her. Eventually, Shannon cleaned up her act and has a somewhat loving awkward relationship with her daughter.
12 The Grown-Up Moms To The Couples Do Not Get Along
We have already established that McKayla and Caelan’s moms were both teen moms. Caelan’s mom who has been nicknamed Saint Shelly, however, thinks that she has made better choices in life than McKayla’s mom. According to screenrant.com, the two moms hardly see eye to eye because of Shelly’s holier than thou attitude.
11 One Girl Thinks She Is Truly In Love
These young girls have no clue what it means to raise a child let alone what falling in love with a person is. According to intouchweekely.com, season two’s teen mom Chloe believes that she is in love with her boyfriend. Not to burst her bubble, but most teenage relationships do not last long and without proper guidance, most teens cannot tell the difference between love, infatuation, and having a crush.
10 One Of The Girls Was Saving Herself For Marriage
Babygaga.com tells the story of another teen mom in season two by the name of Emiley. Emiley was supposed to wait until she was married before giving herself to a man, therefore her mother did not see the point of having ‘the birds and the bees talk’ with her. To make matters worse, Emiley’s boyfriend is not a nice person.
9 None Of The Couples And Families Are Prepared To Have A Baby
No girl wishes to become a mother when they are in their teens neither does any mother want the same fate for their daughter. Teenage girls are supposed to be in school and the moms busy taking care of other important things. That said, none of the moms and daughters are really prepared to care for a baby and tvovermind.com agrees with this.
8 One Of The Teen Moms Almost Didn't Make It When She Was Pregnant
Lilly and her boyfriend James were driving in their brand new car when they had a head-on collision with a truck. According to screenrant.com, Lilly was just a few weeks pregnant at the time of the accident and she believes that they made it out alive only because God was watching out for her unborn child.
7 The Moms Do Not Like Their Daughter’s Boyfriends
Most moms do not approve of their daughters’ boyfriends especially when they come between their girls and their studies. According to babygaga.com, Chloe and Laura’s mom have both been caught on camera vocalizing their detest for the young men dating their daughters. Sadly, there is hardly much they can do about it.
6 Their Moms Sometimes Wish They Could Have Custody Of The Children
Kelsey, Lexus’ mom once threatened to take custody of baby Scarlett because she felt that Lexus and Shayden were not being responsible parents as stated by newsweek.com. We wonder whether they think they can do a better job at raising their grandkids if given a second chance at parenting.
5 The Girls Think That Their Show Is Better Than Teen Mom
Lexus has gone on record to admit to Us Weekly that their show, which focuses on teenage pregnancy, is much better than MTV’s Teen Mom. Sadly, a couple of teenagers having babies instead of studying and enjoying life is nothing to brag about. She goes on to say that, the show is more real and that their stories are better.
4 Unexpected Girls Are Portrayed Better Than Teen Mom Girls
People seem to think that Unexpected is better than other similar shows that touch on teenage pregnancies. Tvovermind.com says that Unexpected better highlights how teenage pregnancies affect families and how they all work to raise the additional family member. However, the conservatives wonder whether the girls are really working to avert teenage pregnancies or to promote them.