• Leah Shirley, Amber Portwood's daughter, has stated that she is the one who does not wish to have a relationship with her mother, expressing frustration with Amber's inconsistent behavior and blaming her dad, Gary Shirley, for their issues.
• Leah intends to get adopted by her stepmom, Kristina Shirley, and feels that sharing her story on TV has been a blessing and a way for her to help others with similar experiences.
• Teen Mom cast members Catelynn Lowell and Maci Bookout have shown their support for Leah's decision to set boundaries to protect her mental health, acknowledging Amber's issues as a parent.

Leah Shirley, the 16-year-old daughter of Amber Portwood and Gary Shirley, has been dealing with a strained relationship with her mother. Leah claims that her decision to distance herself from Amber is her own, and is due to Amber's inconsistent presence in her life and the way she acts when cameras are present. Leah feels that Amber blames Gary Shirley for their troubled relationship, and is tired of her mom's behavior. Leah is moving forward and wants to get adopted by her stepmother, Kristina Shirley.

• What: Leah Shirley is expressing her desire to maintain distance from her mother, Amber Portwood, citing Amber's inconsistent behavior and blaming her father for their issues, and plans to get adopted by her stepmother Kristina.
• Who: Key individuals involved are Leah Shirley, Amber Portwood, Gary Shirley, Kristina Shirley, Catelynn Lowell, and Maci Bookout.
• When: These issues have been ongoing for several years, with recent developments discussed in the May 1 episode of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter and in interviews conducted in 2025. Leah plans to get adopted in the next year or so.
• Where: The events take place in the context of the Teen Mom reality series, with scenes filmed in various locations, including Leah's home and New York City.

The estrangement between Leah and Amber highlights the long-term impact of Amber's past struggles and inconsistent parenting. Leah's decision to set boundaries and prioritize her mental health is a significant step, and she is receiving support from her father, Gary, and fellow Teen Mom cast members, Catelynn and Maci. Leah also wants to be adopted by her stepmom, Kristina Shirley, and she feels that sharing her story on TV has been a blessing. Gary has been trying to get Leah and Amber to have a relationship, but has accepted the fact that Leah wants her distance from her mom. It's also important to note that Amber accused Gary of sexual assault on TikTok Live in December 2024.

It's fake. Like, you don't text me, you don't see me, and then when you do see me– for purposes of there being a camera in your face– you try to act like you're the best mom ever.

For me, having my life captured on TV has been a blessing. I like being able to share my story and help other people who have gone through some of the things I’ve been through.

I just want to let you know it took me way into my adulthood and having my own children to be able to look at my mom and say, 'I don't want anything to do with you,'

This isn’t meant to hurt you, but I want to let you know that all these years it’s been my decision to not have a relationship with you and nobody has influenced my decision.

Leah Shirley's ongoing estrangement from Amber Portwood continues to be a central storyline in her life and on 'Teen Mom.' While the situation remains complex, Leah is focused on prioritizing her mental health, setting boundaries, and building a stable family life with her father, Gary, and stepmother, Kristina. She also looks forward to getting adopted by Kristina. The support from other 'Teen Mom' cast members highlights the importance of self-care and setting boundaries in difficult family situations.