Yet another one of the original ‘Teen Mom’ kids has turned 18.
(The Ashley will give you a moment to bust out that wrinkle cream and call your local AARP office because… we are old, folks!)
On Thursday, Leah Shirley— the daughter of Amber Portwood and Gary Shirley– celebrated her 18th birthday, making her the second kid from the franchise to become a legal adult.
In honor of her big birthday, Leah received a heartfelt Instagram tribute from her stepmom, Kristina, who reflected on helping to raise Leah into the woman she is now.
(As ‘Teen Mom’ fans are aware, Leah is currently estranged from her mom Amber, and was raised primarily by Gary and Kristina. Over the years, Leah has referred to Kristina as her “mom,” much to Amber’s dismay.)
View this post on Instagram
Kristina— who got with Gary back when Amber was in prison— told Leah that she loves her as if she were her own child.
“You were only four years old when our story started, and somehow, you’re eighteen today,” Kristina wrote. “Being part of your life and raising you has been the greatest gift and my favorite adventure. Thank you for opening your heart to me, letting me love you as my own, and giving me a front-row seat as you grew into the incredible young woman you are today.
“No matter where life takes you next, I will always be in your corner,” Kristina added. “I’m so proud of you, today and always. Happy 18th Birthday.”
View this post on Instagram
As of press time, Amber hasn’t publicly recognized Leah’s 18th birthday. (However, she recently stated on her YouTube show that she has stayed away from Leah in recent times because she respects Leah’s wishes.)
“I don’t see my daughter often, sadly,” Amber told last month. “My daughter will be 18 in November. [I] tried, tried, tried, guys. [I] really did … I’m praying to God all the time that one day, she will be able to understand and see her mother loves her. It’s hard, it’s really hard.”
During a 2024 episode of ‘Teen Mom: The Next Chapter’ Gary told some of the other ‘Teen Mom’ guys that Leah wanted to be adopted by Kristina, something Kristina would be willing to do.
“Trust me, the best thing that ever happened to Leah was Kristina,” Gary said at the time. “Kristina is a loving parent.”
Leah’s desire to be adopted by Kristina was news to Amber, who claimed she had a major breakdown — and was in bed for four months— after finding out that Leah wanted Kristina to legally adopt her. The adoption never happened, given that Leah was approaching the age of 18.
Anyway, Leah is the second of the original ‘Teen Mom’ kids to turn 18. Last month, Maci Bookout‘s son Bentley Edwards celebrated his big birthday. Farrah Abraham‘s daughter Sophia will turn 18 in February, while Catelynn Lowell‘s bio daughter Carly will become an adult in May of next year.
View this post on Instagram
RELATED STORY: Maci Bookout’s Son Bentley Becomes the First Kid from ‘Teen Mom’ to Turn 18; See Maci’s Birthday Tribute to Him
(Photos: MTV; Instagram)
