EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Teen Mom Amber Portwood & Fiance In Couples Counseling After Fight, Says Dad
Posted on Oct 05, 2010 @ 10:20AM
MTV Teen Mom star Amber Portwood is in couples counseling with her on-again, off-again fiancé Gary Shirley after the network aired a violent episode between the couple, RadarOnline.com has learned exclusively.
EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: Teen Mom Star Poses With Ex Same Day As Fight
Amber's father Shawn opened up to RadarOnline.com in an exclusive interview to discuss what his daughter is doing to salvage her relationship with the father of her child.
Shawn revealed that Amber and Gary have been in counseling for months, and he hopes that they get married, despite a televised battle that has led to a criminal investigation.
"It's my understanding they're doing just fine," Shawn told RadarOnline.com. "They're going to couples counseling."
According to Shawn, the young couple has matured and made the decision on their own to get help. "I think it was their idea as a whole, them together, to be honest with you," he told RadarOnline.com.
RadarOnline.com was first to report last week that a police investigation was launched after the young mother was shown on the popular MTV show hitting and kicking Shirley during an argument.
PHOTOS: Bristol Palin Brings Son Tripp To Dancing With The Stars
But Shawn was quick to point out that Amber's seemingly aggressive behavior is uncharacteristic for the 20-year-old.
"I think we all go through our troubles and we all have our idiosyncrasies," he told RadarOnline.com. "It's just something that happens. It's not a normal thing... I don't believe it's a normal thing for Amber to do what she did. I haven't seen it hardly at all."
Shawn was shocked that the argument was aired. "It surprised me that it was even on TV and it was shown on TV. I don't even think it should've been shown on TV, to be honest with you," he said. "I think that MTV should've used better judgment, that's all I've got to say."
A review of the video footage showed Portwood slapping and punching Shirley at least seven times. Shirley does not respond physically to Portwood but instead just asks her, "Are you done?"
Both the Anderson Police Department and The Department of Child Protective Services in Indiana are looking into the incident, and even though Shawn knows the authorities are just doing their job, he is adamant that his granddaughter Leah is perfectly safe.
PHOTOS: Jon Gosselin Shows Off His Tattoo Poolside
"The kids are doing good and Leah is well taken care of, and they're doing something about it and that's the thing," he told RadarOnline.com. "And the investigation... of course they have to check into it. It's they're job.
"But, I mean, like I said she's taken care of, they're good parents, they really are. I believe they are and I've been around them... they're getting along just fine and they're taking care of her and they're keeping in touch with me because I was concerned and I talked to her about it. But that's what the couple's counseling is all about, right?"
The altercation between Portwood and Shirley ensued after Shirley accused Amber of being a bad mom and threatened to report her to Child Protective Services.
EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: See New Pics Of Teen Mom Farrah
"You know, this happened months ago... and things have changed a lot since then and they're doing something about it, especially after that," Shawn said. "But that was then, this is now. They've been doing this counseling for a little while now."
Shawn says that his daughter and her boyfriend have been working on their relationship issues for at least a few months now.
PHOTOS: Celebs Who Married Too Young
"From what I understand they've been at it a few months since that's been filmed, not aired... since that's been filmed back a few months ago -- maybe more -- they've been taking care of it, trying to stay together for the baby.
"He's [Gary] a good father; he loves that baby. They both do and they want the best for her. Like I said, everybody has their idiosyncrasies, they get over it, they're a young couple, they run into roadblocks and they get over it. Some people get help, some people don't. In this case they're getting help because they're smart kids."
Shawn even has bigger hopes for them in the future.
"I would hope that would happen and they go ahead and get married and all this works out," he said. "Not every relationship is made in heaven at first. You have to get over those mountains.
"I think one day they will [get married], hopefully," he added. "They might work it out and it looks like they're sure trying to work it out."
PHOTOS: Hollywood's Most Married Stars
RELATED STORIES:
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Teen Mom Maci Bookout Confesses, 'My Biggest Fear Is Losing My Son'
VIDEO: 'Teen Mom' Brawl - April Sees Red Over Catelynn's 'Ugly' Prom Dress
VIDEO: Teen Mom's Catelynn & Mother Brawl Over Putting Baby Up For Adoption
- Beyonce's Returning To The Stage For The First Time Since Becoming A Mom — Huffington Post
- Sienna Miller & Her Baby Bump Are All Smiles — The Frisky
- Jay-Z To Score New "Annie" Movie Starring Willow Smith — Global Grind
- Simon Cowell Asks 'What Was I Thinking?' After Choosing Britney Spears & Demi Lovato for 'X Factor' — Celebuzz
- Anne Hathaway's Ex Raffaello Follieri Released from Jail — Just Jared
- Age Appropriate? Kylie Minogue, 43, Dons Racy Webbed Dress — Celebuzz
- Click Here & Join Our Facebook Page — Facebook
Sample Header
The Daily Juice
PLEASE don't let this situation get out of hand, it is obvious to anyone that has seen the show, this baby needs a better home. Too many sad stories in the news lately as a result of poor parenting.
Posted Sat, 10/09/2010 - 6:33am
Gary does have a low self esteem and I think he loves Amber, that is why he lets her bully him.
I know it's difficult, but he needs to take a stand and LEAVE HER -
If not for himself then at least, PLEASE leave for LEAH's sake
Posted Sat, 10/09/2010 - 6:28am
I agree.We all need to KEEP this on the hearts & minds of everyone,especially at MTV & with
POLICE and CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES. The baby is in danger,maybe right now it's only emotional
danger but eventually it will escalate to physical danger.
Posted Sat, 10/09/2010 - 6:25am
Idiosyncrasies? Please...Amber is violent all the time. Run, Gary, run, and take little Leah with you.
Posted Tue, 10/05/2010 - 10:29pm
That baby needs to be put up for adoption and away from both of them. She is violent w/unpredictable rage who is not mature or stable enough to deal with a kid. He's a mess for putting up with it & unable to support himself much less a child.
Posted Tue, 10/05/2010 - 8:24pm
I was one of those that called in on her, and will continue to call. Screw Mtv for presenting this as just another Teen Mom episode when it was clearly a glimpse into teen domestic violence.
Posted Tue, 10/05/2010 - 8:12pm
I forgot to say if he marries that woman he will have a totally miserable life. I am beginning to dislike him because he stays with her & doesn't protect his child from her,
Posted Tue, 10/05/2010 - 4:14pm
I'ld give that marriage two weeks. I can't even believe any counselor would help them stay together. They are obviously a complete & total train wreck with each other. I don't know how anyone else would put up with them either.
Posted Tue, 10/05/2010 - 8:25pm
You can try & sugar coat it all you want, but Amber needs to be in jail. Gary would be if he had done what she did. If he stays with her he is just as bad.
Get yourself & Leah away from the evil one....
Posted Tue, 10/05/2010 - 4:11pm
Was "idiosyncrasies" on his word-of-the-day calendar? Domestic Violence is not an idiosyncrasy and this IS normal for her. She has hit him in the past and has a very serious anger management problem.
Posted Tue, 10/05/2010 - 4:01pm