Courtney Stodden Gets Real…
No More Tabloids

The show Couples Therapy on VH1 features celebrity couples seeking relationship advice. I started watching an episode while flipping through the channels one day, and I witnessed something unsettling.

The show has a he-said/she-said argumentative vibe, and through all of the vigorous fighting, name calling, and threats, there was Courtney and Doug Hutchinson, a couple who remained relatively quiet and observant on the program. Despite their non-combative attitudes, they were getting the most snide remarks from the others on the show, who felt some self-righteous burden to bash their relationship.

Let me give you some background on Courtney and Doug. A few years ago, actor Doug Hutchinson — known for playing roles like Percy Wetmore in Stephen King’s film adaptation of The Green Mile — married a then 16-year-old named Courtney Stodden. It stirred up a lot of media attention and controversy, as you might imagine. The couple reportedly met when Courtney was attending a acting class that Doug was teaching in Las Vegas. Hutchinson is 34 years her senior, and, according to Stodden, the couple enrolled in therapy in order to resolve issues that arose in their marriage from their age difference.

For some reason, watching other celebrities pick on this now 20-year-old woman really bothered me. I’m a father of two daughters, and it was bothersome to watch Courtney get bullied around and picked on. As I was watching this drama unfold I began to follow the couple on social media, and I was surprised at what I found: on Twitter, Courtney often discusses going to church, she shares her love for Jesus, and she is open about her advocacy against the abusive treatment of animals.

I couldn’t help but ask: What Would My Jesus Do in this situation? Courtney is His child also, right?

Annoyed by the bullying tabloid attacks that other people were throwing at her, I decided to track her down and allow her to share some positive things surrounding her life and to display some personal feelings aside from the gossip and negativity that others have publicized. Nobody is perfect, and we are all worthy of love, acceptance, and understanding.

So I interviewed Courtney to learn more about her:

What was your life like before your very public marriage to actor Doug Hutchison?

I came from a small town in Washington — Ocean Shores — and I attended an online Christian academy. I always gravitated toward the creative arts: dancing, singing, acting, modeling etc. I suppose you could say that it’s no surprise I ended up in Hollywood!

You post a lot on your Twitter account about faith and going to church. Could you discuss that in more detail with us?

I’m a Christian. I attended church with my parents when I was a child. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins. My husband, Doug, is Christian as well. We attend Cottonwood Church in Los Alamitos, CA. The head pastor there, Bayless Conley, is just amazing! My faith carries me through every doubt, celebration, and hardship. I’m grateful to God for everything in my life.

Do you aspire to be a singer and actor as well, and if so could you discuss some projects in which you have been involved?

I’m blessed to be manifesting my aspirations. I recorded a song called “Reality” last year and produced the music video. Looking forward to returning to the studio. As for acting, I just finished wrapping my film debut in a supporting role in Love Addict, a romantic comedy. I play Mrs. Davenport, a young, rich Beverly Hills wife who’s divorcing her husband for being unfaithful to her with the pool boy!

You also have a love for the safety and protection of animals. Would you tell us a little about that?

Yes. I adore animals. I’m a celebrity spokesperson for P.E.T.A. [People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals] and a loyal vegetarian. I’ve always had a soft spot for God’s precious creatures in the animal kingdom. The other day, I happened upon a wounded peacock on the side of the road. I think it had been struck by a car. Its wing was broken, and I watched helplessly as it eventually succumbed to death. It was truly one of the saddest sights of my life. I pray that people will be vigilant, help take care of our sweet, vulnerable creatures, respect them, and refrain from eating them as well!

You get a lot of unfortunate negative press with certain media outlets, but here we try to focus on the good. Could you tell our readers more about you as a person and not a tabloid celebrity?

I’m not perfect, by all means. I try and do the best I can. I wake up in the morning, cuddle with Dourtney and Cupcake (my adorable pups), kiss my hubby, eat breakfast, and dive into my life passionately with a renewed spirit. Every day’s an opportunity to be grateful for my blessings, praise God, and open my heart to yet another chapter in my life with Him turning the page. What can I tell you? In my day-to-day life, I’m not a “tabloid celeb.” I’m a young woman, a wife, a Christian, a mommy to my pups, an artist, and truly just a small town girl at heart.