Jim Bob Duggar and his wife, Michelle Duggar, are defending themselves after the release of Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets – a four-part Amazon docuseries that paints a grim picture of the couple’s religious beliefs, parenting style, and overall lifestyle. The docuseries was released on June 1.
The docuseries largely focuses on the family’s involvement with The Institute in Basic Life Principles – which is a ‘non-denominational Christian organization’ that primarily aims to ‘teach the wisdom and truth of Scripture as the foundation of every area of life’ – according to the organization’s official website.
In an effort to defend their family name, Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar recently shared a brief note on their own website – it was published on June 1, the same day the docuseries was released. They’re clearly not happy about the way their family is depicted in the series and are proud of the family they’ve created.
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“The recent ‘documentary’ that talks about our family is sad because in it we see the media and those with ill intentions hurting people we love,” they wrote. “This “documentary” paints so much and so many in a derogatory and sensationalized way because sadly that’s the direction of entertainment these days.”
The couple acknowledged that their family has experienced its fair share of joy and heartbreak – noting that it’s often on a much more public scale than other families. With that said, they do believe damaged relationships are best repaired in a private setting and are committed to continuing that recovery process.
“We love every member of our family and will continue to do all we can to have a good relationship with each one. Through both the triumphs and the trials we have clung to our faith all the more and discovered that through the love and grace of Jesus, we find strength, comfort, and purpose,” the couple continued.
Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets was released in four different parts – all of which were made available on the same day (June 1) and are included with a Prime membership. The description claims the couple is ‘part of an insidious, much larger threat already in motion, with democracy itself in peril.’
What Else Did We Learn About Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar?
It’s being reported that Michelle Duggar and Jim Bob Duggar were offered the opportunity to appear in the docuseries, but both declined that opportunity. Among the family members that did participate were Jill Dillard (their fourth child and second daughter) and Amy King (Jim Bob’s niece and Jill’s cousin).
In the docuseries, Jill opens up about feeling ‘obligated’ to defend her brother, Josh Duggar, during his molestation scandal in 2015 – he was never charged for anything, but issued a public apology after being accused of molesting several female minors, including four of his siblings. Jill was one of those siblings.
She was also frank about the control her father, Jim Bob Duggar, has over the family and even admits that the control is growing – as some family members claim he has replaced the leader of The Institute in Basic Life Principles. The organization used to be run by Bill Gothard, but he has since been removed.
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Among the other claims and allegations made during the docuseries was the fact that Amy thinks Michelle’s ‘baby voice’ is fake and the fact that Jill wasn’t paid a dime for her 7.5 years on television – all because her father never paid her. Both Jill and Amy were praised by producers for coming forward.
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