‘Teen Mom’ Star Says She Will Have a Relationship With Her Daughter Again

“Teen Mom” personality Amber Portwood is opening up about her relationship with her daughter, Leah, fathered by her ex-boyfriend Gary Shirley. 

In a December 18 TikTok Live, Portwood said she loves her eldest child, despite their estranged relationship. 

“What I can do, today, is still love my daughter with all of my heart. And know that she is safe. She’s happy. She’s taken care of in any way that she needs to be taken care of,” said Portwood while recording the TikTok video. “And I can be proud of that. At least. And then I can also sit here and say, ‘One day I will have my relationship back with my daughter.’ Because I actually show up for her.”

In addition, she denied accusations that she did not want to be present in Leah’s life. According to Portwood, Shirley has barred her from seeing the 16-year-old.

“If a person says, ‘No, you’re not allowed to be here. No, you can’t do this. You can’t do that.’ You can’t lie about what somebody truly said,” said Portwood during the social media video.

Amber Portwood Suggested She Wanted to Visit Her Daughter

According to Collider, Portwood said it was not her choice to stop visiting her daughter in a different December 2024 TikTok Live. She also said “Teen Mom: The Next Chapter” fans will have more clarity about her relationship with her daughter once the show’s upcoming third season begins airing in January 2025. 

“I can’t say anything else right now. Even though it’s not out yet…when you watch the show coming out, you guys will be able to see some things you probably never knew,” said Portwood. 

According to Collider, Portwood also denied Shirley’s claim that she has been late paying her child support.

Amber Portwood’s Ex-Husband Defended her

Us Weekly reported that Portwood’s ex-husband Andrew Glennon, the father of her son, James, said he believed Shirley’s allegations about her lack of child support were untrue.

“I regularly witnessed Amber paying throughout our relationship. Oftentimes, I would go with her to hand deliver the funds,” said Glennon while speaking to the publication in December 2024. 

In addition, he said that he usually does not “get involved in these types of matters,” but felt the need to do so because he “witnessed Amber paying [Shirley] large amounts of money numerous times, specifically for child support.”

In addition, he said he and Portwood have improved their relationship.

“Our communication has improved dramatically. We are able to be on the same page for the sake of our son. [James and Amber] are in constant communication, daily Facetiming and lots of calls,” said Glennon to Us Weekly.