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Amber Portwood isn’t paying attention to the chatter about her relationship with her daughter online because she has bigger things going on. The Teen Mom star, 34, may have just introduced her new boyfriend in the latest episode of the reality series to air, but in real-time, they’re taking the next step.
On Friday, Us Weekly reported that Amber and her boyfriend Gary are engaged. A source tells the outlet that the mom of two is “really, really happy” and has been working on building a healthy relationship with her new partner since they first began dating.
They’ve been in couple’s therapy and talk about everything. They’re being very proactive in their relationship and are doing the work to prevent problems before they start.
Us Weekly source
Amber’s new partner reportedly popped the question about two weeks ago.
The News Comes Amid Serious Criticism of Amber’s Treatment of Daughter Leah
A new episode of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter aired less than 24 hours after Amber’s news went public. In it, the mom shows up to Leah’s 15th birthday dinner — which also includes ex-Gary Shirley and his wife, Kristina, and their daughter Emilee.
Fans noticed Amber showed up with an attitude toward both Leah and Gary, which led to a tense time between co-parents and the birthday girl.
Amber seems momentarily unsure of Leah’s age before telling her, “You know, at your age, you’re going to need me more than ever. Because you’re about to get real crazy.”
As the two uncomfortably try to move forward, Amber says the teen brings out “the worst” and “most sarcastic” parts of her and “pushes her.” A moment later, she says, “She’s just like me,” a comment the whole table cringes at.
Amber tries to get Leah excited about her new boyfriend, which leads the teen to ask her mom if she plans on having a third child. The mom of two doesn’t currently have primary custody of Leah or little brother James, who Amber shares with ex-Andrew Glennon.
The mom says yes, which makes her teen seem further upset. Amber tells the teen she’s “a dick” and makes her “want to cuss.”
“You have self-control,” Leah points out.
Amber Didn’t See the Error in Her Ways
Moments later, Amber finds herself arguing with Gary about his “attitude.” The two go back and forth until Leah starts to cry, at which point Gary apologizes to her. Leah begs them both to stop as Amber persists, then asks Kristina to take her to the bathroom. The teen cries about wanting to end the night, and the family packs up.
The reality star admits to feeling defeated after they leave. She laments that she will be “the one to blame” after the failed outing. Amber then says she “never has a chance” to fix her relationship with her daughter. Fans refuted the idea and slammed her behavior.
Even co-star Briana DeJesus commented on the situation in a since-deleted tweet.
Other members of the Teen Mom universe have also chimed in. This leaves many to wonder how Amber’s behavior will be handled moving forward. The cast has traditionally been supportive of her, but many felt affected by that scene.
