Courtney Stodden received massive support from her fans over the weekend. The “Celebrity Big Brother” alum, 31, shared an emotional Instagram post, in which she opened up about her secret neurological disorder.
As a teenager, Stodden struggled with Tourette’s syndrome. She tried to hide the tics until she became known as the “teenage bride” who married actor Doug Hutchison.
On Sunday, March 29, Stodden posted an Instagram clip of their 2011 infamous interview with “ABC News'” correspondent Lara Spencer, which occurred after she married the 51-year-old actor at the age of 16.
Courtney Stodden Addresses 2011 Viral Interview
Stodden recalled the reaction she got at the time. Critics called out her “weird” behavior and speculated whether Stodden was under the influence. During the televised interview, she would constantly lick her lips.
Stodden didn’t like being turn into an internet meme. “They made a moment into a joke… but there was a reason,” Stodden wrote in the lengthy caption.
The former reality star, who has identified as non-binary but now uses she/her pronouns, explained that she kept her medical condition from the public eye.
“There’s a part of my story no one ever understood. As an adult — i was diagnosed with having suffered from Tourette syndrome… and for most of my childhood i lived with tics i couldn’t control,” Stodden recalled.
According to the CDC, Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological disorder that can cause unwanted tics, such as mouth movement, muscle tension, stuttering, and squinting.
Stodden explained that when her “tics and muscle spasms happened,” she would make it seem as if she was making a “sexy” expression. But during the 2011 viral interview, the “nerves” intensified the tics, as evidenced in the video.
“That moment people turned into a meme… people thought I was on something,” Stodden said. “There was no alcohol. No pills. Nothing in my system.”
These days, Stodden no longer feels “ashamed” about having Tourette’s syndrome. “Because there is nothing shameful about something you never had control over,” they added. “And if you’ve ever been misunderstood for something your body did… you’re not alone.”
Fans Rally Around ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ Star
Fans rallied around Stodden after she revealed her secret condition. On Monday, March 30, the model released a statement to The Daily Mail about the “overwhelming” response to her Instagram post.
Stodden didn’t expect to receive such a positive reaction on social media. She just wanted to share a part of herself that her fans and followers don’t know about her.
The former television personality told the outlet that she’s “blessed to have such kind fans.” In the Instagram post, Stodden received support from “Selling Sun” alum Christine Quinn and fellow model Kourtney Reppert.
Stodden plans to share more about her life and upbringing. She gave fans a glimpse behind her marriage on “I Was a Child Bride: The Courtney Stodden Story” on Lifetime.
