Courtney Stodden is firing back at Susan Sailer Pinsky, wife of Dr. Drew Pinsky, for suggesting that she make an appearance on the TV doc’s show to discuss the disturbing on-air breast exam he facilitated on his ‘Lifechangers’ show in 2011, when Courtney was just 16 years old.
As you may know, Courtney has spoken out in recent years against those who exploited her during her marriage to actor Doug Hutchinson. While the two went on to split in 2018 (and finalize their divorce in 2020), they wed in 2011 when Courtney was 16 and Doug was 50. (Courtney was legally allowed to wed the actor due to her mother consenting to the union at the time.)
Among the many troubling things Courtney endured during her marriage to Doug (besides the marriage itself) was a 2011 appearance on Dr. Drew’s short-lived daytime talk show, where she and her then-husband discussed the scrutiny around their controversial relationship and dispelled certain rumors about their marriage and themselves. One of those rumors was that Courtney had undergone a breast augmentation, despite being a minor. In order to clear up the rumor, 16-year-old Courtney underwent a live breast ultrasound on stage (and in front of an audience) to prove that she did not have implants. Dr. Drew and other medical doctors then discussed the results on-camera.
Last year, Courtney– who has also appeared on Couples Therapy and The Mother/Daughter Experiment– called out Dr. Drew on social media for allowing the segment to happen on his show and for spending much of said segment commenting on an underage teen’s breasts. Over the weekend, she reflected on the traumatizing moment once again, reminding followers that she wasn’t just “an underage girl” at the time, she was “a minor trapped in a situation [she] wasn’t able to get out of legally.”
“I had no rights at the time,” she wrote. “The money [Dr. Drew] paid me to be on the show went straight to my abuser. These photos bring up a lot of sadness for me because I see a little girl being exploiting by grown men and used for views and mockery.
“Dr. Drew, what made you think this was a good idea?” Courtney continued. “As a doctor, did you think this was actually healthy for a little girl to experience? Did you even care?”
While Courtney’s post was met with a multitude of supportive comments, it was also met with a snarky remark, courtesy of Dr. Drew’s wife, Susan.
“I would love to talk to her on Ask Dr. Drew if @courtneyastodden wants to duke it out with Dr. Drew,” Susan wrote in response to a comment on Courtney’s post that read, “Justice for @courtneyastodden.”
After seeing Susan’s tone-deaf invite to appear as a guest on her husband’s show to “duke it out,” Courtney posted a screenshot of Susan’s insensitive words and proceeded to slam both her and Dr. Drew for seemingly trying to further exploit her.
“Under a comment that simply said, ‘Justice for Courtney,’ Dr. Drew’s wife @firstladyoflove suggested I come on his show to ‘duke it out’ with him, and @drdrewpinsky liked the comment,” Courtney wrote. “To me, that misses the point entirely. This isn’t entertainment. It isn’t a debate. It isn’t a ratings opportunity.
“I was a teenager when I appeared on his show,” she continued. “I was a minor in a situation I couldn’t legally leave, and the money from that appearance went straight to my abuser.”
While Courtney was rightfully offended by Susan’s remark, she went on to tell fans that the amount of supportive comments that her previous post received gives her hope that “people understand that this isn’t about rehashing trauma for content.”
“It’s about accountably, and it’s about protecting children from exploitation,” she wrote. “Thank you to everyone speaking up for me, supporting me, and recognizing how wrong this is. I see you, and I appreciate you more than you know.”
Aside from “liking” his wife’s comment, Dr. Drew does not appear to have responded to Courtney’s recent posts.
You can watch the full (disturbing) clip of Courtney’s ‘Lifechangers’ segment below.
(Photos: YouTube; Instagram)
3 Responses
She kinda stopped being a minor when she married. Her anger should be at her mom. I would like every state to ban marriage, with no parental permission loophole, until 18.
How do you kind of stop being a teenager? Your mind isn’t fully developed yet. It’s up to the adults around you to guide and protect you. She was groomed and her parents allowed it. Shame on you for saying this.
She was exploited by every single adult around her. Her mother giving her daughter away to a pervert without a second thought. Doug marrying essentially a child at 50 years old is sick and perverted. And Dr. Drew for continuing to be a dumbass and facilitating exploitation on his show to put money in his pockets.