Did they go too far?
When MTV first started filming 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom, they claimed their goal was to record the true lives of girls with unexpected pregnancies and to promote awareness for preventing them. However, after ten years on the air, it’s clear that the show has taken a very different direction.
Teen Mom and its spinoffs have gained a huge amount of popularity and a massive reach, and have been able to educate viewers about the dangers of not protecting themselves as well as drug addiction, criminal activity, and so on. And, of course, it’s also served up a healthy dose of drama.
But as the show goes on, more and more viewers tune in who admire and respect the cast members. Many of the moms are role models for young viewers who may have had similar experiences. In fact, the Instagram comments of all the cast members are often full of fans revealing how much they look up to the girls on the show. Even though this may be flattering, being a role model is a lot of responsibility.
Now it seems that some of the Teen Mom cast members are taking a step in the wrong direction when it comes to their impressionable fanbase. After sharing promotions for this controversial product, many are calling them out for promoting unhealthy habits and even putting their viewers’ safety at risk!
Credit: MTV
Controversial Update
Source: Instagram @j_evans1219
The Teen Mom cast members’ Instagram accounts are full of adorable pictures of their children and families, gorgeous shots of their vacations, and behind-the-scenes snaps of them filming. But everyone knows that many of the cast members also choose to bring in extra revenue by promoting products to their millions of followers. From teeth whitening to meal plan services, it’s not uncommon to see several advertisements mixed in with the girls’ original posts, and many of their followers have simply grown accustomed to scrolling past the ads. However, some of the cast members have recently started promoting a highly controversial product that has fans divided.
“#ad I’ve really been liking @flattummyco’s new lollipops that just dropped this week. They’re designed to suppress my appetite, and I find they’re already started working. Over the past couple days whenever I felt like snacking, I’ve been reaching for these lollipops instead, andI find I’m not eating anything else between meals. You gotta get your own. #suckit #flattummypops,” reads one of Jenelle Evans’ recent Instagram posts. Another reads, “#ad I never thought I’d see the day that @flattummyco came out with LOLLIPOPS as a way to help keep my stomach looking flat, but they did! Since I have a massive sweet-tooth and I’m pretty much always chasing one of my kids around, this is pretty much the best it can get for me (yummy and convenient)! I get to have lollipops, keep my appetite in-check, and continue to work towards my goals for a fit + toned tummy. Yep, my cravings can #suckit. You guys should try these out with me – berry is definitely my favorite! #flattummypops.”
Farrah, Too!
Source: Instagram @farrah__abraham
But Jenelle isn’t the only one touting this new product. Farrah Abraham also shared a snap of her new product! “#ad I’m so excited to tell you guys about what’s already my new favorite thing; @flattummyco’s appetite suppressant lollipops! 🍭I seriously don’t know how they did it, but they’re super yum and only have 35 calories with no artificial flavours or preservatives. I just grab one when I’m starting to feel hungry in between meals and they completely hold me over until my next meal. I’m obviously going to be carrying these around with me all summer 💁🏽. Ladies if you haven’t yet…you should really check them out! #flattummypops,” she wrote.
And Mackenzie!
Source: Insagram @mackenzietaymckee
Even Mackenzie McKee got in on the party, sharing a snap of her in workout gear with a lollipop in her mouth. She wrote, “#ad I wasn’t sure what to expect when @flattummyco came out with appetite suppressant lollipops but I figured they’d be good. Turns our they’re soooooo good! It’s been about a week and I tend to use mine between lunch and dinner (that’s when I found I was reaching for snacks as often as my kids) you know, just something to hold me over until dinner. And since I started using them, I haven’t been reaching for extra snacks and my stomach is already looking better. You gotta check them out for yourselves. #flattummypops.”