Krista Keller, the mother of Courtney Stodden, has expressed her feelings regarding Lifetime’s new biopic, “I Was a Child Bride: The Courtney Stodden Story.” The film, which premiered on September 27, depicts the events and circumstances of Stodden’s controversial teenage marriage to actor Doug Hutchison. Stodden, who was 16 at the time of the marriage in Las Vegas in 2011, was legally wed with parental consent, generating significant media attention and criticism due to the age gap between the couple—Hutchison was 51 at the time.
Now 31, Courtney Stodden, who identifies as non-binary, has spoken publicly about feeling groomed and exploited in the relationship, allegations that Hutchison has consistently denied. Reflecting on the biopic, Keller stated her support for her daughter participating in the film yet admitted feeling distressed by a scene that implied she was complicit in encouraging the marriage. Clarifying her position, Keller told The U.S. Sun, “It’s showing me strong-arming her and going, ‘Yes Courtney, you want to do this, right?’ And that just never happened.” She emphasized, “I did not force or even manipulate my daughter into this marriage.”
Keller described herself as a “stage mom,” saying her involvement was restricted to helping Courtney find opportunities, such as signing her up for an online acting workshop led by Hutchison. She also pointed out that the film’s disclaimer about dramatic elements permits some fictionalization, though she found certain portrayals to be particularly upsetting.
The film stars Holly J. Barrett as Courtney Stodden, Maggie Lawson as Krista Keller, and Doug Savant as Doug Hutchison. Keller admitted she hasn’t viewed the full movie but did see the contentious scene in promotional previews. Looking back on the past, Keller expressed regret over not advising her daughter to postpone the marriage decision, stating, “I wish I would have talked her out of it. We were just in a situation, and I did not make the best decision.”
Despite the controversies and challenges, both Keller and Stodden appear to be working towards healing and understanding the complexities of their past. The film serves as a touchstone for discussing the broader implications of underage marriages and the pressures young individuals may face in the entertainment industry.