Courtney Stodden Raises Awareness About Legal Underage Marriages
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/courtney-stodden-1-101625-36f7c2dca7ba4a5a9ecf8dc724a35345.jpg)
In a recent exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Courtney Stodden opened up about her mission to shed light on the issue of legal underage marriages. The 31-year-old singer and TV personality gained notoriety for her controversial marriage to ex-husband, Doug Hutchinson, when she was just 16 years old, and he was 51. Despite her age at the time of the marriage, it was deemed valid as her parents provided legal consent. Stodden is now adamant about preventing others from going through a similar experience, stating, “I don’t want this to happen to anyone else, and it scares me.”
Stodden highlighted the troubling fact that underage marriage with parental permission is still legal in 34 states in the United States. According to Equality Now, there are even four states that do not impose any minimum age requirements for marriage, as long as there is parental or judicial approval. Stodden passionately expressed, “We’re the hotbed for the dirty little secret, which are pedophiles marrying our children legally in the United States, so that’s why I’m speaking out.”
The singer, who is currently married to Jared Safier after divorcing Hutchinson in 2020, recently revisited her past marriage in a Lifetime biopic titled “I Was a Child Bride: The Courtney Stodden Story.” Although difficult, Stodden felt compelled to share her story through the film. Reflecting on the experience, she shared, “I’m glad I did it, but boy, it’s been hard to watch it.” Stodden mentioned that some scenes were omitted from the film due to their intense nature, as she stated, “It’s the craziest story I’ve ever heard, and it’s my own.”
Following the release of the biopic, it quickly became the highest-rated film of the year for Lifetime. Stodden expressed her gratitude for the platform to share her story, revealing that she is still adjusting to the newfound attention. Moving forward, she plans to continue advocating against legal underage marriages through her music and an upcoming memoir. Stodden recently released a new song titled “Choke,” which carries a strong message reflecting her personal experiences.
Stodden’s fearless approach to addressing important social issues has garnered significant attention from the public and media. Her openness about past struggles and determination to create positive change have resonated with many. By using her platform to raise awareness and spark conversations, Stodden is paving the way for a more inclusive and informed society.
As Stodden continues to share her journey and advocate for change, her courage and resilience serve as an inspiration to others facing similar challenges. Through her music, writing, and public appearances, she remains committed to making a difference and ensuring that no one else has to endure the same hardships she faced. Courtney Stodden’s unwavering dedication to this cause reinforces the importance of speaking out against injustices and working towards a brighter, more equitable future for all.