Kailyn Lowry Reflects on Life Beyond Reality TV: A Journey 15 Years After Her Iconic 16 and Pregnant Debut

• Kailyn Lowry first introduced herself to MTV viewers through the show 16 and Pregnant in April 2010.
• She welcomed her son Isaac with Jo Rivera in January 2010 and later shared her journey in the spinoff series Teen Mom 2.
• In a recent conversation, Lowry reflects on how reality TV shaped her life, her decision to step away, and what her life looks like 15 years after her debut on 16 and Pregnant.

Kailyn Lowry is living a life that exceeds her wildest dreams.

Viewers were first introduced to Lowry as a determined 17-year-old expecting mother with a challenging home life during the second season of 16 and Pregnant on MTV. However, the portrayal of her story only skimmed the surface of her experiences.

Now 33, Lowry has shared more of her life over the years—as a key cast member on MTV’s Teen Mom 2, through her New York Times bestselling memoir, Pride Over Pity, and on various podcasts she has either hosted or contributed to.

Her journey began in rural Pennsylvania, where Lowry frequently moved while witnessing her single mother’s struggles with both finances and addiction. When she discovered she was pregnant by her high school boyfriend, Jo Rivera, she was determined to embrace motherhood.

She also recognized others like her confronting similar situations. “I remember watching 16 and Pregnant season 1—with Maci, Catelynn, and Amber. As I watched their stories unfold in real time, I was already pregnant,” Lowry recalls.

“I saw that MTV was casting, so I quickly submitted a brief synopsis of my story, and the rest is history.”

Even then, Lowry was accustomed to upheaval in her life. By the time she received a call back from MTV and accepted the reality cameras, her circumstances had changed significantly.

“I was no longer living with my mom; I had moved in with Jo and his parents,” she explains.

Viewers of 16 and Pregnant witnessed Lowry lean on Rivera’s family while she attempted to reconcile with her own mother. She appreciates Janet, Jo’s mom, for trying her best under the circumstances.

“She likely felt somewhat constrained. When teenagers reach Isaac’s age, they develop opinions and voices of their own,” Lowry shares.

“You can’t force a teenager to do anything, so I believe she did the best she could given the situation.”

Ultimately, relationships between Lowry and Rivera did not flourish. By the time Teen Mom 2 debuted its episodes in early 2011, they had parted ways.

During the course of her teenage and young adult years, Lowry faced a variety of challenges in her personal life. Nonetheless, she dedicated herself to creating a better life for herself and her son, Isaac, who was born on January 18, 2010. She worked tirelessly, balancing her job and childcare responsibilities, all the while holding on to her aspirations for their future.

“It was purely motivated by survival,” she explains. “My childhood revolved around surviving and navigating a difficult life without stable parents. My mom was often absent, and I was unfamiliar with my dad, so I did whatever I needed to just get by.”

“Even now, I adapt quickly, continuously striving for the next opportunity. I don’t remain too content because life can change swiftly.”

In pursuit of stability, Lowry continued sharing her life on MTV, even amidst challenges. While she felt her narrative was not always presented with the sensitivity it deserved, she was compelled by a sense of “pure desperation.”

“I needed money. I needed an education. I had to provide for myself and my son. By April, I understood that I had to move out of Jo’s parents’ house quickly, leading to a desperate desire for independence.”

“It’s not that Jo’s family wouldn’t have helped, but I needed to stand on my own and prove that I could manage. Financial stability was my primary motivation.”

As Lowry’s story progressed, audiences watched her find love with Javi Marroquin and expand her family with son Lincoln, now 11. Their marriage concluded in 2016, and she later dated Chris Lopez, giving birth to sons Lux and Creed, who are currently 7½ and 4½.

Lowry often felt “pigeonholed” by her portrayal on the show, leading her to be selective about what she shared due to the way she was edited and the audience’s reactions to her choices.

“As I moved closer to my decision to leave the franchise, I became more strategic about what I was willing to disclose and when,” she explains.

“This made it challenging for production to shape a well-rounded narrative for me. I found myself considering how my actions would be perceived by viewers, which was incredibly difficult, as I was not the same person I had been when I began.

“I wasn’t even the same person I was midway through my 13 years on television. This evolution made things particularly difficult.”

By 2022, Lowry felt prepared to move forward. During the season 11 reunion, she confirmed her decision to fans, reflecting on how she believed her time on the show “had run its course.”

“Having just built a new home, I recognized that we were progressing toward different goals, and we wouldn’t be able to share the complete story in the way we desired. You’re often edited down to just four minutes per cast member, and I wanted more of a comprehensive narrative,” she concludes.

During this time, Lowry began a relationship with her now-fiancé Elijah Scott. As she faced the prospect of introducing another partner to the reality television realm, she realized it was best to move on.

“He had never been on TV. He has never been a teen dad. So, I felt like it was time for us to move forward. I’m grateful for my time on the show and have few regrets. Looking back, I believe it was the right decision,” she reflects.

With reality television behind her, Lowry focused on expanding her podcasting career. After launching Coffee Convos with Lindsie Chrisley in 2017, she subsequently added Baby Mamas, No Drama and Barely Famous to her portfolio. Today, the KILLR podcast network includes Coffee Convos, Vibin’ and Kinda Thrivin’, Barely Famous, Karma & Chaos, For the Hayters, and Cate and Ty: Break It Down.

“Initially, it was a passion project. I had no idea about the financial potential of podcasting or that it could evolve into a career with networks,” she shares.

“It felt like rolling the dice to see what would happen. To our surprise, it really took off, and I think both Lindsie and I were pleasantly taken aback by its success.”

Lowry has also dedicated herself to her family, now comprising seven children, including her three with Scott: twins Verse and Valley, who are 17 months old, and 2-year-old Rio. Reflecting on her journeys through motherhood, she notes, “All stages of motherhood present different challenges and rewards for various reasons.”

“With Isaac, it was just the two of us, which gave me a sense of control over my motherhood. However, financially, it was incredibly challenging. As time passed and I had more children, I found stability. I was married at the time, and having another baby felt like a natural next step. Each situation brought unique struggles and benefits. So, I wouldn’t describe them as easier or harder—just distinctly different,” she explains.

Lowry’s approach to coparenting has also evolved. She has reached a level of acceptance that her relationships with the fathers of her children will always fluctuate, some more than others.

“The unique situation with Jo is that we were teenagers when we were together. I suspect he feels similarly that we are both so far removed from that time; it doesn’t feel like he’s my ex anymore. It feels like I’m coparenting with someone I know well.”

Noting that they have “largely overcome most of the tough challenges,” she acknowledges that the future will bring new adventures as Isaac begins to take charge of his own life.

Regarding Marroquin, the coparents recently adjusted their custody arrangement due to his Air Force duties requiring a move to Virginia. Despite the changes, she asserts, “Javi and I continuously strive to prioritize Lincoln’s best interests, which has never been in question for either of us.”

While acknowledging that there have been many “difficult periods” with Lopez, she reflects that the dynamic of coparenting has taught her that “not every moment can be perfect.”

“Elijah and I are committed parents. We also coparent when we’re in a relationship, making joint decisions, which can be challenging when there are differing upbringings and parenting styles.”

On the entrepreneurial side, Lowry remains vigilant and eager for new opportunities, driven by the knowledge that success can be fleeting.

“I recognize that podcasting may not last forever, so I’m always contemplating the next project that could advance my career. I feel the need to constantly innovate. No one knows what lies ahead, prompting me to maintain this entrepreneurial mindset—planning my next venture while still engaged in my current projects,” she explains.

It all began with Lowry and Isaac, and she takes pride in witnessing the person he is becoming. Recently, he’s flourished by participating in theater and has developed an interest in learning American Sign Language (ASL). She looks forward to exploring where life will lead them and the rest of their family.

From their beginnings on 16 and Pregnant to a life that now includes international travel and interviewing a Spice Girl, Lowry aspires for people to understand who she is today.

When asked about her vision for the next 15 years, she candidly admits she does not foresee herself remaining in the public eye.

“I hope to build successful brands that allow me to step back. One aspect often overlooked is that everything I do is associated with my name. That ties back to my time on Teen Mom, as that’s where my following originated,” she says.

“My aspiration is to develop these brands to a point where people may not necessarily associate me solely with Teen Mom. Ultimately, I would like to reach a stage where I can take a step back, not being the face of every venture. That would be my goal for the next 15 years.”