Then & Now: See Where Some Of Your Favorite TLC Reality Stars Are Today
Reality television has a way of consuming brain cells and hours of our lives. Even so, it's a guilty pleasure no one really feels like breaking. Once a series favorite runs its course, though, the "characters" are off the screen and out of our lives.
So, what happened to some of those TLC reality favorites? From Toddlers in Tiaras' Honey Boo Boo to Little People, Big World star Amy Roloff, here's what some of TLC's beloved stars are up to today.
Then: Matt Roloff On Little People, Big World
Born with degenerative dwarfism, Matt Roloff became known for his work on the TLC reality series Little People, Big World, which he both starred in and was the executive producer. Premiering in 2006, Roloff was part of each subsequent season. But the work didn't deter him from doing good in the world.
In season four, it showed Roloff going on a trip to Iraq. His goal was to help a family who needed medical attention for their three children, all of whom were born with dwarfism. His efforts in the Middle East were covered by CNN, Opera, and other major news outlets.
Now: Matt Roloff Recently Wrote A Children's Book
After 11 years on Little People, Big World, in 2016, Matt and Amy Roloff, the two stars of the series, divorced. It was a huge blow to the fanbase. But it didn't stop TLC from renewing the show, going as far as a twenty-first season, which premiered in September 2020.
But Matt's not all about the show. When he's not hard at work on the family farm or hanging out with his family, Roloff has taken the time to write a few books. Dedicated to his grandson Jackson, Roloff's most recent book, Little Lucy, Big Race, was published in 2018.
Then: Jon Gosselin On Jon & Kate Plus 8
Jon Gosselin was the patriarch of the Gosselin family, made famous during their time on TLC in the reality series Jon & Kate Plus 8. Yes, "8" as in eight children. Premiering in 2007, the series quickly became the highest-rated show on TLC.
For his part, Jon was one of the lead "characters" in the series, helping his then-wife Kate with their eight bundles of joy. Obviously, it wasn't all fun and games, and drama was a huge part of the reality show. And, unfortunately, two years after the '07 premiere, Kate filed for divorce, stating that "Jon's activities left her no choice."
Now: Jon Gosselin Is A DJ
Well, the divorce proceedings happened. Jon Gosselin left his family, moved to New York, and appeared on Couples Therapy with his ex-girlfriend. Obviously, at the time, relationships were not working out in his favor. Maybe stick to real-life and not reality shows to find love?
Either way, after the show Gosselin decided to take up a new career path. Staying in the entertainment industry, the former reality star has taken up the art of DJing. It doesn't look as though the gigs were paying enough, though, as he's been working as an IT technician at Amazon since October 2020.
Then: Theresa Caputo Was The Long Island Medium
TLC was never the same after audiences were introduced to Theresa Caputo, better known as The Long Island Medium. Making her reality series debut in 2011, Caputo faced her fair share of criticism. Honestly, she's probably been called every name in the book, from being a fraud to deceiving a nation of viewers.
One critic even said she was unbelievable, not as in a great performer, but actually unbelievable. Either way, she and her voluminous hair have taken the critiques in stride, never wavering from her reality show. Hey, she's a born and bred New Yorker; she can handle it!
Now: Theresa Caputo Does Live Shows And Tours
Theresa Caputo is still on television, talking to spirits and doing her thing as the Long Island Medium. And while her show is still up and running on TLC, it's not all the blonde-haired personality is doing. On top of the series, Caputo is regularly touring with her on-the-road-show "Theresa Caputo Live! The Experience."
She's even tried her hand at writing, releasing three non-fiction books in the past few years. Her most recent, Good Grief: Heal Your Soul, Honor Your Loved Ones, and Learn to Live Again, was published in 2017.
Then: Honey Boo Boo During Her Toddlers In Tiaras Days
Alana Thompson, aka Honey Boo Boo, was arguably one of the most famous "toddlers" while the TLC series Toddlers in Tiaras was airing. During the series, people couldn't get enough of her one-liners, mother, and the fact that she spoke about herself in the third person.
Viewers loved her eccentric character so much that TLC even offered Honey Boo her very own reality series, a spin-off called Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. The series ran for two seasons and followed the young girl when she wasn't getting ready for beauty pageants.
Now: Honey Boo Boo's Still On TV
It might be weird for fans of Toddlers in Tiaras, but Honey Boo Boo did, in fact, grow up into a teenager! While Alana Thompson is no longer competing in beauty pageants, she still shows up on television shows now and again.
In 2017, she appeared in a few episodes of her mother's show, Mama June: From Hot To Not. A year later, in 2018, she participated in the first season of Dancing with the Stars: Junior, where she was paired with professional junior ballroom dancer Tristan Ianiero. However, she was eliminated in week four.
Then: Kody Brown Was On Sister Wives
Kody Brown, the face of suburban polygamy, came into TLC viewers' lives in 2010, when the reality series Sister Wives first aired. From there, people were enthralled by his "out there" lifestyle with his four wives and many, many, many children.
The thing is, the unconventional relationships seemed to work for them, Kody, Meri, Robyn, Janelle, and Christine. Which, in turn, just made people tune in to watch more of their drama and multi-marriage life.
Now: Kody Brown Is Pretty Much The Same
Now, Kody Brown is pretty much the same, aside from a few things. He's been busy filming Sister Wives, which just had its most recent season air in 2019. Brown's also recently become a grandfather, something that couldn't have thrilled him more since the family's belief is to bring as many children into the world as possible.
The most interesting development in Brown's multi-marriage is the fact that they're not all living together anymore. Instead, each of his wives has their own home 15 minutes from one another in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Then: Kate Gosselin Was Married With Eight Kids
When the world was first introduced to Kate Gosselin, she was married to Jon and had eight kids, twin girls and sextuplets. She was the matriarch of the reality series Jon & Kate Plus 8 and probably one of the first women on television to sport such an "I'm going to call your manager" haircut.
Unlike her former husband, though, Kate was highly scrutinized during the show. A lot of critics came out of the woodwork, saying that she was exploiting her children for capital gain and fame. This wasn't the case, as the children were all happy doing the show.
Now: Kate Gosselin Is Now The Star Of Kate Plus Date
After Jon & Kate Plus Eight and her subsequent divorce from Jon, Kate Gosselin didn't go too far. She actually opted to stay on television, despite the backlash she received from her previous show. Now, she's focused on her personal reality series, Kate Plus Date.
Think Bachelor meets professional matchmakers meets mom of eight. But the former full-time mom isn't just utilizing her talents on-screen. Gosselin's also been busy writing, publishing three non-fiction books over the past few years. On The New York Times Best Sellers List, her third book, I Just Want You To Know, debuted at number 11.
Then: Jeremy Roloff On Little People, Big World
Fans of Little People, Big World might remember Jeremy Roloff, one of Amy and Matt Roloff's twin sons. Unlike his twin, Zachary, and his parents, Jeremy wasn't born with dwarfism, bringing an interesting dynamic to the show. He, along with his other siblings, Molly and Jacob, first appeared in 2006, when he was a young 13 years old.
Of course, all things have to come to an end, and Jeremy had to grow up and leave the family farm eventually!
Now: Jeremy Roloff Is Married And Has Published A Book
Married and a father to a baby girl, Jeremy Roloff has most definitely grown up! In 2017, he and his wife, Audrey, decided it was time to say goodbye to Little People, Big World, making his run on the show a whopping 17 seasons. But he's been up to quite a few ventures since his time on the show.
He and Audrey have worked side by side for years on a blog, they own and operate a clothing company, and they've also published a book together, A Love Letter Life. Most recently, he's all about expanding his and Audrey's little family.
Then: Danielle Busby On OutDaughtered
Mama of six daughters, Danielle Busby was first introduced to TLC's viewership during the first episode of OutDaughtered when she is giving birth to her quintuplets. Obviously, Danielle knows how to make a television debut entrance!
Viewers continued to watch her as she went about her daily hectic life raising six daughters while also making time for herself and her husband, Adam. Ironically, according to the couple, they were only trying to have one more child, not five at once!
Now: Danielle Busby Writes A Parenting Blog
With all of her parenting experience, Danielle Busby has put her expertise to good use. While she's not busy filming OutDaughtered, she writes on the family's website, It's a Buzz World, giving parenting advice and answering any comments or questions that might come through from readers.
But the busy mom of six isn't stopping there. She also runs Graeson Bee Boutique, an apparel company that "carries head-to-toe looks for the whole family!" Pretty much, Danielle is Wonder Woman.
Then: Meri Brown Was One Of Kody Brown's Four Wives
One of the four Sister Wives, Meri Brown, came onto the scene when the reality series aired in 2010. Then, she was recently fired from her job in the mental health industry, something that was a bit of a sore subject in the series.
But Meri, along with her other sister wives, and their husband, thought their story was important to tell. So, the decision between the show and her career was made easy -- she chose the show. Meri first married Kody back in 1990.
Now: Meri Brown Runs Her Great-Great Grandparents' Inn
A few seasons later and Meri Brown hasn't lived with their husband Kody Brown in four years. That's a long time for a couple that isn't separated, let alone a couple that is in a multi-marriage. In her free time, Meri has been operating her great-great-grandparents' historic bed and breakfast in Parowan, Utah, Lizzie's Heritage Inn.
Even with speculation surrounding her relationship with Kody, Meri has put on record that she loves him and believes that they are going to work out any issues they may have. Only time will tell! Maybe it was the 2014 divorce so he could legally wed Robyn?
Then: Stacy London Was On What Not To Wear
Coming fresh off of being a fashion editor for Vogue, the fashion magazine of fashion magazines, Stacy London hopped right into reality television. TLC viewers might remember her as one of the hosts of the fashionista show What Not to Wear, a series where London and her co-host virtually threw away people's wardrobes and restyled them into new people.
The series premiered in 2003 and had a solid run until 2013 and its final season, season 10. But when the series came to an end, London's relationship with TLC did not.
Now: Stacy London Interviews Celebrities Over Instagram Live
After What Not to Wear came to an end in 2013, Stacy London hopped onto another show, Love, Lust, of Run. Similar in "plot" to her former series, London stayed with the project for its three-season run before moving on to new projects.
Most recently, she's been hosting interviews with various celebrities on Instagram Live. Then, most likely to her astonishment, in 2019, TLC announced they were going to renew What Not to Wear with London slated to be once again a co-host.
Then: Robyn Brown Was One Of The Four Sister Wives
Robyn Brown was the last of the Sister Wives to join the multi-marriage family, marrying Kody in a spiritual ceremony in 2010, right before the first season of the reality series aired. Four years later, in 2014, the two were legally wed.
The legality shocked fans since Robyn is the only wife Kody is actually married to in the eyes of, well, a vast majority of the world. The drama surrounding Robyn got juicer when it was revealed that Kody divorced Meri so he could legally wed Robyn! Apparently, it was a family decision, though.
Now: Robyn Brown Has Five Children
Now, the drama surrounding Robyn Brown has eased as she and the Sister Wives continue to film the series and be in their multi-marriage. Most recently, she's moved with her children to Flagstaff, Arizona, where they live in the biggest rental house out of all of the wives (gasp).
Apparently, the million-dollar home has re-sparked rumors that Robyn is, in fact, Kody's favorite wife. But only time and the new seasons of Sister Wives will tell!
Then: Amy Roloff On Little People, Big World
Viewers were first introduced to Amy Roloff in 2006, the first year Little People, Big World premiered on TLC. The show followed Amy, her then-husband, and four children in their daily lives on the 100-acre family farm outside of Helvetia, Oregon.
Fans of the show were enthralled with Amy's life, tuning in to see what she and her family were going to do next and if their already interesting lives were going to get even more interesting. Well, it did. In 2015, the show's main stars, Amy and Matt, split. But that didn't keep Amy from the spotlight.
Now: Amy Roloff Is Engaged And Is Planning A 2021 Wedding
While Amy and Matt Roloff are no longer together, that doesn't mean the former Mrs. decided to up and leave the show or the whole of television. In fact, fans of Little People, Big World will know that she's participated in each season, including the most recent 21st, which premiered in 2020.
Of course, she's been up to other things, too. Amy has also appeared on various other reality and talk shows, including Celebrity Buzz, Celebrity Chopped, Oprah, and The View. And, in 2019, she became engaged to her fiance Chris Marek. They plan to wed in 2021.
Then: Clinton Kelly Was A Fashion Guru On What Not To Wear
Viewers will probably recognize Clinton Kelly, one of the co-hosts for the fashion makeover reality series What Not to Wear. For over ten years, Kelly would be on-screen giving fashion advice to people who, honestly, really needed his help picking out clothing that best suited and flattered their body.
While Kelly didn't co-host with Stacy London during the first season of the show, he was hired after three auditions and stuck with the series until its last season in 2013. So, where did Kelly go?
Now: Clinton Kelly Hosts A Vast Array Of Shows
Long story short, Clinton Kelly didn't go too far. A television personality is always a television personality, and he hopped from What Not to Wear to other hosting jobs across various networks. Most surprisingly, The Food Network! There, he hosts a wide variety of shows, including Haunted Gingerbread Showdown and Spring Baking Championship.
He's even penned a book, I Hate Everyone, Except You, a comedic memoir styled as a collection of essays. Now, he's suiting back up to be the co-host of the recently-revived What Not to Wear.
Then: Buddy Valastro Was The Cake Boss
Buddy Valastro and his amazing cake creations first hit TLC in 2009, when the first episode of Cake Boss aired. The show was based on Valastro's family bakery in Hoboken, New Jersey, Carlo's Bakery.
While the family-owned bakery was a popular go-to for many locals, it got even more popular after viewers saw how Valastro and his staff, including his mom and brother-in-law, were able to piece together their elaborate specialty cake creations. The cakes and pastries might be elaborate, but Valastro makes everything look easy!
Now: Buddy Valastro Has Opened Multiple Bakeries
After the huge success of Cake Boss, Buddy Valastro was able to open multiple bakeries across the country, including a restaurant in Las Vegas. And while he definitely has a lot on his plate owning and operating all of the spots, Valastro never strayed far from reality television.
Fans of the master baker can find him on a wide variety of shows, including Buddy Vs. Duff, Buddy's Bakery Rescue, The Next Great Baker, Kitchen Boss, and even Bake You Rich. It's safe to say Valastro has been very busy with his baking career.
Then: Jessa Duggar Was A Teenager On 17 Kids & Counting
The fifth child of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, Jessa Duggar first appeared in 14 Children and Pregnant Again, a featured documentary on the very large family's daily lives. Then, in 2008, 17 Kids and Counting landed a slot as a regular series on TLC.
Becoming 18 Kids and Counting and then finally 19 Kids and Counting, Jessa was featured in each season and played a large role in helping raise her younger siblings. The show was canceled in 2015, but it wasn't the last time fans saw the third Duggar daughter.
Now: Jessa Duggar Is Married With Kids
Now, Jessa Duggar Seewald is married with three children of her own (most likely going to be more, considering her family's history!). She and her little family star alongside Jessa's sister, Jill, in Jill & Jessa: Counting On, a spin-off from the original 19 Kids and Counting.
Outside of television, though, Jessa co-wrote a book with three of her sisters, Jana, Jill, and Jinger, called Growing up Duggar, a story about their relationships, beliefs, and, most importantly, growing up in an extremely large family.
Then: Adam Busby On OutDaughtered
In 2016, TLC's OutDaughtered introduced viewers to Adam Busby, the father of Blayke Louise and the only American all-girl quintuplets, Ava Lane, Olivia Marie, Hazel Grace, Riley Paige, and Parker Kate. The first two are identical twins, while the latter three are fraternal triplets, with Blayke being the eldest daughter in the bunch.
The reality series follows the family in the hectic daily lives, including the premature birth of the quintuplets and the slew of medical procedures that followed, such as Hazel's eye condition.
Now: Adam Busby Still Works With His Family
While Adam Busby is obviously very busy raising six daughters and filming OutDaughtered, he still makes time for side projects. According to his LinkedIn, Adam is busy starting his own business, Adam Busby Media, a service that "specializes in photo and video projects from large brands to priceless memories for family events."
Apparently, having so many daughters and a hit reality show has taught him a thing or two about capturing precious moments, something that is very clear considering how active he is on social media, especially Instagram.
Then: Janelle Brown On Sister Wives
Viewers were first introduced to Janelle Brown when she appeared in the pilot episode of the TLC reality series Sister Wives. In a polygamous relationship with Kody Brown and three other women, her life on the show was anything but drama-free.
Wed in a spiritual ceremony in 1993, Janelle is the second sister wife and has five children with the patriarch of their controversial family. And while she is still filming the show, Janelle has been busy elsewhere.
Now: Janelle Brown Runs Strive With Janelle
Janelle Brown is still busy filming Sister Wives, with the last season airing in 2019. But she is up to something much more important than show business. Janelle has recently become a grandma to two bundles of joy. According to her Twitter, she's very excited to share her grandkids with the rest of the world on the show.
On the career front, Janelle has been working on an at-home health coaching platform called Strive with Janelle. Her hope is to provide a community and helpful resources for those who are ready to start a health and wellness journey.
Then: Amy Duggar King Starred In An Hour-Long Special
A cousin to the very large Duggar clan, Amy Duggar appeared sporadically during seven seasons of 19 Kids and Counting. But that's most likely not where people remember her. In 2017, Amy and her husband Dillion starred in an hour-long special called Amy & Dillion: Married One Year.
The special is pretty much what it sounds like, exploring the couple's relationship after their first year of marriage. It was primarily based around Amy's 30th birthday and the couple's romantic getaway to sunny Mexico for their one-year anniversary.
Now: Amy Duggar King Owns A Clothing Boutique
After a brief stint on the ninth season of Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars 7, Amy Duggar King decided to take a step away from television, opting to use her energy in other ventures. Most recently, she's been owning and operating a little clothing boutique called 3130 Clothing.
And for those wondering if she is still in touch with the large Duggar clan, the answer is no, well kind of. While she doesn't keep in touch with her aunt, uncle, or a majority of her cousins, Amy does text Jill on occasion.
Then: Jinger Duggar And Jeremy Vuolo
Jinger Duggar first made her reality television debut on 19 Kids and Counting, the story of her large family's daily lives. When it was canceled in 2015, she moved on to be a series regular in Counting On, a spin-off of the original TLC reality series.
That same year, Jinger met her future husband, former major league soccer player Jeremy Vuolo, in Central America while on a mission trip. A year later, they were married. What have the two love birds been up to since?
Now: Jinger Duggar And Jeremy Vuolo Moved To Los Angeles
Jinger Duggar Vuolo and Jeremy Vuolo have been very busy. Still filming Counting On with their siblings/siblings-in-law, the two decided to uproot themselves from the rest of the family and move to Los Angeles, where Jeremy is studying at The Master's Seminary. But that's not all!
The two also host a weekly podcast called Hope We Hold Podcast, a program that, according to the Instagram page, "Join us for weekly conversations to explore the hope of Jesus Christ in both personal and practical application." On top of that, they have an online retail business called Hope & Stead.
Then: Christine Brown On Sister Wives
Christine Brown first appeared on TLC in 2010, when the first episode of Sister Wives aired. The third wife of Kody Brown, Christine, married into the multi-marriage family during a spiritual ceremony on March 25, 1994. From there, she's been dubbed the "jealous one," even though she grew up in a polygamist household.
While she wasn't on the show, fans might have seen her name floating around in bookstores, as she published two books within the first few years of the show, Hand Raised: The Barns of Montana and Becoming Sister Wives: The Story of an Unconventional Marriage.
Now: Christine Brown Is Still Filming Sister Wives
Like the rest of her multi-marriage family, Christine Brown continues to film Sister Wives for TLC. So, don't worry, fans, she's still going to be part of the whirlwind story of the Brown family. But she's also been busy with other ventures, too. Christine has continued with her writing career, publishing three books in 2018 alone.
She's also been dabbling in online retail, forming a private Facebook group where she sells Lularoe apparel. The page is aptly named "Christine Brown Sells Lularoe."
