Chelsea Houska is giving high praise to her current employer, HGTV, for being “so incredible” when it comes to giving her four children privacy, while admitting that she has some regrets about allowing her kids to appear on ‘Teen Mom 2.’
After starring on ‘Teen Mom 2’ for more than a decade, Chelsea announced on social media in November 2020 that she and husband Cole DeBoer were leaving the MTV reality series– a decision she shared with viewers and her fellow castmates during the Season 10A Reunion. (Host Dr. Drew Pinsky got oddly pouty about it, as you may remember.)
In a new interview with PauseRewind, Chelsea admits that, in hindsight, she wishes she hadn’t allowed so much of her kids’ lives to be shared on ‘Teen Mom 2.’
“Looking back, I don’t know if I would choose that again at this point … ,” she said. “I’m so grateful for [the show] and everything, I’m just saying, like, for our kids now … .”
While Chelsea claimed in 2021 that one of the main reasons she left ‘Teen Mom 2’ was that the show’s storylines were starting to focus too much on her eldest daughter Aubree’s private life, she has continued to defend her (and Cole’s) decision to return to reality TV, insisting that their HGTV show Down Home Fab doesn’t focus on their children.
Chelsea revealed that one of the biggest things she and Cole have learned as their kids have gotten older is the importance of limiting their public exposure.
“ … we really want to be selective on how we show the kids, how much we show the kids and just really trying to protect them,” Chelsea explained.
While Chelsea and Cole’s four children do make appearances on ‘Down Home Fab,’ Chelsea claims that HGTV isn’t concerned about making the DeBoer kids the focus of their renovation show.
“[‘Down Home Fab’] is a totally different show and HGTV has been so incredible– and our production team– they were like, ‘If you are uncomfortable with the kids being on [camera], you just tell us, that is totally fine. If they don’t want to, it’s okay. We will never dive deep into anything personal with them,’” Chelsea said. “That was probably the biggest thing because I think as we’re getting older and they’re getting older, like, we’re just really more mindful of that.”
Chelsea went on to acknowledge that while she was on MTV, her kids “were on TV so much, especially Aubree in her early life.”
As fans of ‘Teen Mom 2’ know, Chelsea’s teenage daughter Aubree– whose father is Adam Lind– was literally born on reality TV, making her first appearance on her mom’s episode of 16 and Pregnant. Much of Aubree’s childhood went on to be documented on ‘Teen Mom 2,’ with many of the storylines involving Aubree’s often-absent father.
As The Ashley told you in October, Chelsea spoke about her transition from MTV star to HGTV host, telling Glamour that the “vibe” of ‘Down Home Fab’ is much different than that of ‘Teen Mom 2,’ largely due to HGTV not wanting to focus on Chelsea’s kids or her personal drama.
“ … They were so reassuring, saying, ‘We do not want your drama. We’re a network that is about watching the show and feeling good when you’re done watching it and not sad or heavy,’” she told the outlet.
Watch a clip from Chelsea and Cole’s PauseRewind interview below.
(Photos: MTV; Instagram)
12 Responses
Does she she regret the millions in money she made from getting knocked up at 16
And being picked by mtv ?
I mean she definitely wouldn’t have the amount of wealth that she does now or financial security. Randy paid for her rent and her lifestyle in the early seasons before MTV started cutting the big checks. She went to school for hairdressing/cosmetology and while that can be a good salary depending upon many variables, she definitely would not be able to afford the comfortable lifestyle she has now.
16 and Pregnant featured so many teenagers whose lives would be completely different if they had been chosen, Chelsea really needs to reflect on that. She lucked out being chosen and found incredible success because of that.
Chelsea, way to go!!! You have finally managed to show everyone that you DO, IN FACT, think that you are better than everyone else. 🙄 👏👏👏
Chelsea has always given me the impression that she thinks that she’s better than everyone else. She’s never had to go through the actual struggles of teen parenthood because her Daddy and Mommy took care of everything for her. She’s never had to struggle for anything. I remember watching her 16&Pregnant episode and thinking to myself “God, what a spoiled, entitled little girl!!!”. I feel like her constant coddling from everyone in her life has not only stunted her emotionally, but it’s also made her very uninterested in others and their feelings and very self involved. Even the way she interacted with the other girls on the show, just very almost disgusted with them and embarrassed to even be there. She reminds me of Farrah so much, take away the porn and the plastic surgery and the inability to form a rational thought,and you too will start to notice the similarities. Such a very ungrateful woman.
Seriously? She actually acknowledged her start and opportunities come from MTV & TM2? That’s more than the rest have.
She also has clear hindsight that her teenage decisions may not have been in the best interests of Aubree and her development.
Chelsea is mature BECAUSE of her support system.
I could not stand her dad.
Chelsea being cast on “Teen Mom” got her foot in the door. The entire premise of both shows are different. Of course HGTV gives her family more privacy. The focus is on home remodeling. 🙄 I love me some HGTV, dont get me wrong.
For example, can you imagine what would have gotten recorded during Tarek and Christina’s divorce if they had been on “Teen Mom” vs HGTV.
I like that she was able to spread her wings, and transfer to other programming. I hope they keep doing well. She seems like she managed to keep maturing, despite her having a teenage pregnancy.
So bored today, sorry im commenting on everything.
No need to say sorry, I enjoy reading your comments.
Thanks Anita, i appreciate it 🙂
Just look what Maci, Amber, Catelyn and Kail put their kids thru on TV just so they wouldn’t have to get up off their ass and get a real job, especially Maci and Catelyn. I couldn’t tell you how many times I felt so sorry for Bentley and all the personal shit that alcoholic put him through.
As much as she may regret it the fact of the matter is that none of these girls would have these huge opportunities (like her show) without Teen Mom. Sad but true.
I will say that I was proud of her for walking away and getting Aubree especially out of that environment. The last season they filmed Aubree was peppered with questions about Adam and Adam’s family. Even by Chelsea which I’m sure she was told to ask. To Chelsea’s credit as soon as she saw Aubree shut down Chelsea stopped asking.
looking back, a show like teen mom was never the right fit for someone like chelsea and at least she eventually realized that