In a recent interview with Teen Vogue, Leah Messer expressed her strong misgivings about filming certain scenes for Teen Mom 2 while she was clearly under the influence amid her prior drug addiction.
The reality star called out MTV and the show’s production team, criticizing their persistence in capturing her on camera during moments when her drug utilization was apparent, and on occasion, posed a genuine risk to her well-being and those around her, including her kids.
When asked if she felt taken advantage of by the network, Leah admitted, “Yes.”
“You can see me high. Cut the cameras, “the mom-of-three explained. “You can see me falling asleep or whatever. Cut the cameras and immediately do an intervention…. instead of using it for the benefit of TV and drama.”
However, Leah does credit production for pushing her to go to rehab – and paying for it. In 2015, it was reported that MTV was sending her to an Arizona treatment facility, despite her initial resistance.
According to The Ashley, a production insider disclosed that producers utilized contractual terms to mandate Leah's rehab stint, even leveraging the threat of discontinuing their contract with her.
Leah acknowledged MTV’s role in helping her get clean while speaking to Teen Vogue. “It’s bittersweet, because I probably wouldn’t have been able to get the help I had without [MTV], so I thank them,” she said.
However, the former teen mom says she believes they could’ve helped without putting it on television in order to protect her privacy.
“It’s also like, damn, something could have been done differently, without a shadow of a doubt,” she said.
MTV gave a statement to Teen Vogue addressing Leah’s comments, but only simply stated that production followed the “principles of documentary filmmaking — we document, we don’t intervene.”
It's not known how much MTV paid for Leah’s rehab stint, but the average celebrity treatment costs anywhere between $30,000 to $100,000.
Despite being on one of the biggest reality television franchises of rover a decade, Leah’s net worth is surprisingly low. She’s reportedly worth $50,000. The reality star reportedly owes over a million in back due taxes and is still paying of the debt, which is one of the reasons her name wasn’t on the deed when she bought a house with her ex Jaylan Mobley. However, he agreed to let her keep the estate following their split last year.
Sources: The Ashley, Teen Vogue,
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