Jill Duggar's Unprecedented Family Journey: Exploring Her 'Counting On' Departure, Dynamic Distancing, and Beyond
Jill Duggar's complex relationship with her family has seen various ups and downs, including her departure from the reality show 'Counting On' and a growing distance between her and certain family members Discover the key milestones and events that have shaped their journey from March 2014 to August 2023
No family is flawless - not even those who are famous. Ever since Jill Duggar gained fame through the show "19 Kids and Counting," she has faced numerous challenges and successes within her family.
The Duggar family was first introduced to fans in 2008 through their reality series on TLC, initially called "17 Kids and Counting." The show offered a glimpse into the daily lives of this deeply religious Baptist family, showcasing aspects such as homeschooling and courtships. However, in May 2015, the series was suspended by the network after it was revealed that Jill's brother, Josh Duggar, had committed acts of molestation against multiple girls when he was a teenager.
One month later, Jill and her sister Jessa bravely stepped forward as two of Josh's victims, sharing their story in a heartfelt interview with Megyn Kelly. Jill emphasized that their decision to speak out was entirely voluntary, stating, "We chose to do this. No one asked us to." She also expressed her forgiveness towards her brother for his past actions.
Moreover, Jill commended her parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, for their exceptional handling of the situation in private. Reflecting on her experiences as a mother now, she acknowledged, "Looking back, I realize my parents did an incredible job for me." In light of this, Jill aspires to establish similar protective measures for her own family.
The Arkansas native happily received the arrival of her two sons, Israel (born in 2015) and Samuel (born in 2017), with her husband, Derick Dillard. Although the show "19 Kids and Counting" was officially canceled by TLC in July 2015, Jill, Derick, and other members of the Duggar family returned for a spinoff called "Counting On" later that year. The couple decided to leave the series in 2017 after six seasons.
“We realized that we didn't have the control over our lives that we needed, especially concerning the show and other aspects,” Jill explained in a YouTube Q&A three years later. She also mentioned that she and Derick have no regrets about their decision to walk away. “At that time, we had to make a choice to prioritize our own goals and set the show aside."
Despite their belief that they made the right decision for themselves and their children, not everyone was satisfied with their choice. Jill acknowledged the strained relationship within her family, stating, "There has been some distance. We are not on good terms with certain family members. We have had disagreements, but we are actively working towards healing and restoration. It will take time for us to heal."
In an exclusive interview with We, Jill disclosed that four months later, the "drama" between her and certain relatives was ongoing. She also mentioned that she and Derick were undergoing therapy to understand the importance of setting boundaries.
“We were prepared and had a strong desire to depart. ... There are undoubtedly some issues present,” she stated to Us in February 2021. “We genuinely feel that we are now in a healthy state for our family and have regained control over our lives. ... Certain individuals offer more support than others. I believe it fluctuates within a family of that magnitude. Every family experiences drama, and when you have that many additional people voicing their opinions or such, it can become chaotic.”
While fans continue to speculate about Jill's strained relationship with the other TLC stars, Jinger Duggar and her husband, Jeremy Vuolo, expressed their hopes for improvement in that area soon.
Scroll down to discover more about Jill's familial challenges and triumphs.
Credit: Courtesy Jill Duggar/Instagram
Jill Duggar's Ups and Downs With Her Family: 'Counting On' Exit, 'Distancing' and More
Every family has its flaws, and that holds true even for well-known ones. Following the immense success of the reality TV show 19 Kids and Counting, Jill Duggar's life has been a rollercoaster ride, filled with various challenges and triumphs involving her parents and siblings.
Fans were introduced to the Duggars in 2008 through their TLC reality series, originally named 17 Kids and Counting. The show provided insight into the daily lives of the devout Baptist family, including their homeschooling and courtship rituals. Unfortunately, the network decided to suspend the series in May 2015 due to a shocking revelation. It came to light that Jill's brother, Josh Duggar, had sexually assaulted multiple girls during his teenage years.
In response to this revelation, Jill and her sister Jessa bravely stepped forward as two of Josh's victims. During a comprehensive interview with Megyn Kelly, the siblings shared their personal experiences. Jill emphasized that their decision to come forward was entirely voluntary, stating, "We chose to do this on our own accord. Nobody pressured us." Additionally, she expressed her forgiveness towards her brother for his past actions.
Jill also commended her parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, for their handling of the situation in private. "Now that I am a mother, I can truly appreciate the incredible job my parents did for me," she expressed during the interview. "As a mother myself, I aspire to establish the same protective measures for my own family."
Originally from Arkansas, Jill and her husband, Derick Dillard, have two sons named Israel and Samuel. Even though TLC officially canceled the show 19 Kids and Counting in July 2015, Jill, Derick, and other members of the Duggar family returned for a spinoff called Counting On later that year. However, the couple decided to depart the series in 2017 after six seasons.
"In a YouTube Q&A three years later, Jill explained that they realized they had limited control over their lives in relation to the show and other aspects, which prompted them to make the decision to leave. They have no regrets about this choice. At that time, they had to set the show aside in order to pursue their own goals and aspirations.
However, not everyone was pleased with their decision, causing a strain in their relationship with certain family members. Jill acknowledges that they are not on good terms with some of her family and have experienced disagreements. Despite this, they are actively working towards healing and restoring their relationships, but acknowledge that it will take time."
Jill exclusively revealed four months later that she still experienced "drama" with certain relatives. She mentioned that her and Derick were undergoing therapy to establish healthy boundaries.
"In February 2021, we expressed our readiness to leave and our strong conviction to do so. There are undoubtedly lingering issues," Jill shared with Us. "Currently, we feel our family is in a good place and we have regained control over our lives. However, support varies among different individuals. With a family of such magnitude, drama is inevitable. When you have so many people offering opinions, it can become chaotic."
Jinger Duggar and her husband, Jeremy Vuolo, expressed their optimism about Jill's strained relationship with the other TLC stars, stating their hopes for progress in the near future. "They are currently working through some issues," the pastor mentioned in April 2021 regarding his sister-in-law and Dillard. "We are allowing them the necessary time to resolve matters... However, we maintain a strong and positive bond with them."
Scroll down to learn more about Jill's ups and downs with her family:
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Credit: Courtesy of Jill Duggar/Instagram
March 2014
In her book Growing Up Duggar, Jill, along with Jana, Jessa, and Jinger, reflected on the pressure they felt within their family's strict guidelines. Jill shared, "We often find ourselves attempting to fit into societal norms and expectations, even though we know deep down that it's not who we truly are." She acknowledged that this struggle is particularly common among teenagers, especially teenage girls, who may feel compelled to transform themselves into someone they are not.
Credit: Courtesy of Jessa Duggar Seewald/Instagram
June 2015
During a candid interview with Megyn Kelly, Jill and her sister Jessa courageously disclosed that they were among the victims of their brother Josh's molestation. In an inspiring display of strength and resilience, Jill expressed their forgiveness towards Josh and emphasized their determination to move forward. She also debunked many false claims surrounding the situation.
Credit: Tlc/Kobal/Shutterstock
December 2015
"Despite the cancellation of 19 Kids and Counting due to Josh's scandalous infidelity and subsequent rehabilitation, Counting On saw a return of several Duggar sisters. This spinoff series primarily centered around the journeys of Jill and Jessa as they embarked on their own unique experiences of starting and expanding their respective families."
Credit: Courtesy of Jill Duggar/Instagram
October 2017
Following the conclusion of season 6 of Counting On, Jill and her family made it known that they would not be participating in upcoming episodes. Shortly after, Dillard faced significant criticism due to his contentious tweets regarding Jazz Jennings, a transgender star on TLC. In response to the backlash, TLC released a statement affirming that they have no intentions of featuring him in future programming.
Credit: Courtesy Jill Duggar/Instagram
December 2019
In a lengthy Twitter thread, it appears that Jill's husband subtly criticized his father-in-law by insinuating that Jim Bob had been secretly arranging the TLC contracts of their family members. When a fan inquired about why the patriarch seems to receive all the financial gains from the show, Dillard responded with uncertainty, stating, "I can't say for sure. You'd have to ask him about that."
Credit: Courtesy of Jill Dillard/Instagram
September 2020
Jill and her spouse made an unexpected departure from the conventional Duggar household principles when they openly admitted to employing "non-hormonal birth control methods" on their social media platform. This disclosure emerged shortly after she indulged in an alcoholic beverage during a casual evening out in September 2020, yet another subtle act of defiance against her kinfolks' regulations.
Credit: YouTube
October 2020
The couple discussed their choice to depart from the TLC franchise in a YouTube vlog, stating, "Our realization that we lacked the necessary control over our lives in relation to the show compelled us to make this decision." Jill elaborated on their decision to "temporarily set the show aside" in order to pursue other interests. "It was an incredibly challenging choice... We have experienced disagreements with certain members of my family," she further explained. "Nevertheless, we are actively working towards healing and restoration, but it is essential for us to take the time to heal."
Credit: YouTube
October 2020
"During our time on the show, we were never compensated," Jill asserted in a YouTube video detailing their departure from Counting On. "Although there were certain benefits associated with being on camera...we didn't receive any payment until we started advocating for it and had legal representation."
At the time, Dillard noted that the lawyer helped them "to recover at least something" of the lost funds, but it was only "a little more than minimum wage at most."
Credit: Courtesy Jill Duggar/Instagram
March 2021
One month after exclusively sharing the ongoing family "drama" with Us, Jill disclosed in a YouTube video that she and Dillard hadn't visited her childhood home, also known as the "big house," in "probably a couple years." The law school graduate additionally mentioned that there are numerous triggers at the house.
Credit: Courtesy of Jill Duggar/Instagram
May 2021
In a flurry of passionate tweets, Dillard expressed his skepticism towards the supposed "rebranding" of 19 Kids and Counting as Counting On. He asserted that the drastic change in name failed to convince him, as the underlying business structure continued to be dictated by a sole decision-maker and only one individual received compensation. Prompted by the ongoing media coverage surrounding Josh's arrest in April 2021, Dillard voiced their resistance to these circumstances, which often resulted in threats being directed at them. However, they ultimately called their opponents' bluff and chose to depart from the show.
Credit: Courtesy of Jill Duggar/Instagram
July 2021
Jill and her husband responded to TLC severing ties with the Duggar family after Josh's April 2021 arrest with a post on their website titled "Better Late Than Never." In the post, they explained that their delayed response was due to being informed of the cancellation at the same time as everyone else. They had learned about it through texts from a friend and a cousin who had seen TLC's statement online. They admitted to being unsure about how long the cancellation had been planned.
Although they cherished the positive experiences they had while being part of the show, Jill and her husband emphasized that leaving "19 Kids & Counting" and "Counting On" had empowered them to take control of their own decisions, particularly in what they choose to share. They expressed excitement to move forward on their own terms and welcomed any future opportunities that may arise.
Credit: Courtesy of Jill Duggar/Instagram
December 2021
Before his conviction on two counts of receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material, Josh, Dillard, took to Twitter to express his hopes for justice, stating, "I am praying for justice this morning." When asked about their presence at the hearing, he explained, "Our intention was to witness the evidence firsthand and, among other things, to observe the facts. The United States, in my opinion, offers the most effective system for delivering justice."
Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video
May 2023
Jill and her spouse joined the cast of the acclaimed docuseries on Prime Video, Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets. In a captivating sneak peek of the engrossing four-part revelation, she boldly proclaims, "An untold tale awaits, and I am determined to be its narrator."
Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video
June 2023
In Prime Video's Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets docuseries, Jill candidly shared details about her childhood and her brother Josh's scandal. Along with her husband Derick, who works as a midwife, they also talked about their strained relationship with the Duggars after distancing themselves from the world of reality TV.
“Gradually, one begins to take charge of their own life, much like the nose ring that I acquired, and this occurs step by step. Slowly but surely ... [you] do what is necessary for personal survival,” Jill voiced, recounting her journey towards regaining autonomy after asserting that her father had previously exerted control over the numerous family's choices.
Credit: Courtesy of Jill Duggar/Instagram
August 2023
“Happy birthday to the youngest little buddy on my team, Jennifer,” Jill gushed via Instagram Story, alongside a selfie with her younger sister.
