OBEDIENT NO MORE!
Inside Jill Duggar’s transformation from dutiful Christian daughter to family rebel who speaks out against parents
JILL Duggar has transformed from a dutiful Christian daughter to a rebel who speaks out against her family.
Counting On fans have watched the 30-year-old drastically change over the years.
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EARLY YEARS
Jill was first introduced to fans when she starred on TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting alongside her parents- Jim Bob, 56, and Michelle, 55- and her 18 siblings.
19 Kids and Counting premiered on the network in 2008 and remained popular until its cancelation in 2015.
The Duggars are devout independent Christian Baptists who take pride in living conservatively.
The show frequently touched on their values and their relationship with God.
Jill initially followed the strict rules set by her parents, which included dressing modestly and always in long skirts.
All of the children were homeschooled, while their access to entertainment such as movies and television was limited.
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Other rules set by Jim Bob and Michelle include avoiding birth control, explaining they decided to allow God to determine the number of children they have.
Michelle attributes her use of contraceptives to suffering a miscarriage.
The Duggars also practice chaperoned courtship, in which a couple becomes acquainted only in a group setting.
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JOSH'S SCANDALS
TLC suspended 19 Kids and Counting when the Duggars' eldest son Josh publicly apologized for having "acted inexcusably" following reports that he molested five girls, including some of his sisters, by fondling them.
Jill was herself at the center of the controversy when she admitted to being one of Josh's victims.
These events occurred in 2002 and 2003, when he was 14 to 15, and prior to the beginning of the show.
The show was officially canceled in July 2015.
Then in December 2021, Josh was found guilty on both counts of possessing and receiving child pornography.
Josh was arrested on April 29, 2021 on charges relating to child sexual abuse materials.
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COUNTING ON
Following 19 Kids and Counting's cancelation, the show's spinoff Counting On premiered December 2015.
The show initially focused on Jill and her sister, Jessa Seewald, though the TLC series later expanded to include nine other Duggar siblings.
Before Counting On premiered, Jill met and married her husband Derick Dillard, 32.
While Jill and Derick were important parts of the show, Derick announced December 2017 that him, Jill and their two sons would not be appearing in future episodes.
However, TLC cut ties with the Jill's husband first after he made transphobic comments about the network's fellow star Jazz Jennings.
Following the incident, Jill decided to step back from the spotlight.
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SIDING WITH DERICK
Derick has a strained relationship with Jim Bob, while Jill has sided with her husband in light of the scandal.
The couple exclusively told The Sun at the time that Jim Bob had banned them from the family home because he "worried about the influence" they may have on his children.
After her husband's controversy, Jill defended Derick and began running her Duggar family blog which features photos, videos and articles on Christianity and different recipes.
The couple share sons Israel, six, and Samuel, four.
Meanwhile, she announced her third pregnancy in late February.
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REBELLIOUS WAYS
While Jill had followed her parents' strict rules, the former reality star has since gone against her family.
Jill and Derick have been taking down her family and patriarch Jim Bob for years, often calling out their strict rules and “hypocrisy.”
Derick recently slammed Jim Bob’s “manipulation and lies” after Josh was found guilty of child pornography charges, but that was just the latest in a long stream of outspoken moments.
Jill has remained the most rebellious of the kids ever since she started posting photos in outfits her parents wouldn't like, such as gym shorts, strapless tops and jeans.
She also pierced her nose, gotten henna tattoos and enrolled her eldest son in public school.
While she began to distance herself from her family in 2014, a major turning point arrived in 2015 when it emerged that Josh molested five underage girls, including Jill.
Jill and Derick have distanced themselves ever since, while Derick exclusively claimed to The Sun that they are now even banned from the family compound when Jim Bob is not there.
The rebellious Duggar has also shocked fans by .
She even shared a giveaway with fans, revealing that prizes included lubricant, massage candles and a Sexy Dares book.
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CHOOSING SIDES
While Jill doesn't appear to be close with her immediate family, the pregnant star has a close relationship with her rebellious cousin Amy, 35.
Amy has been outspoken about her disapproval of Jim Bob and Michelle's choices, while she's also openly criticized Josh.
She previously slammed "toxic" people who "exploit innocent children and lies for a few clicks" in a pointed tweet, directed at her own family.
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Amy has also been known to break the rules with her style.
She previously showed skin while posing in a swimsuit during a trip with her husband and son.
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