The Transformation Of Teen Mom's Mackenzie McKee
Many know Mackenzie McKee as the MTV reality star who appeared on 16 & Pregnant (yep, that's teen Mackenzie pictured above!) Teen Mom 3, and now Teen Mom OG. During her time in front of the camera, fans got a front-row seat as Mackenzie navigated life as a teen mom and beyond. But there's much more than meets the eye when it comes to this young mother.
Unfortunately, it's not been all rainbows and sunshine for Mackenzie. After only one short season on Teen Mom 3, the show got canceled in 2013, and Mackenzie was reeling in the aftermath. "It's like I was given an opportunity and then it was taken from me, and I didn't really get to tell my story," Mackenzie confessed during an exclusive interview with US Weekly. Luckily, Mackenzie once again landed on her feet when she got a spot on Teen Mom OG following the departure of cast member Bristol Palin. "I'm really excited to pick up where I left off and continue telling my story," Mackenzie gushed about the opportunity.
But besides starring in a hit reality series, how else has Mackenzie's life transformed over the years? Keep reading after the jump to find out!
Mackenzie McKee suffered a loss after '16 & Pregnant'
Sadly, Mackenzie McKee had to grieve the loss of her mother while in the watchful public eye. The reality star's mother, Angie Douthit, died of cancer at age 50 on Dec. 9, 2019. A statement was released via Angie's Instagram account, reading, "On Monday, December 9 at 11:37pm, Angie finished her race. Her last days were spent lovingly surrounded by family and friends as they prayed, sang, and shared funny Angie stories."
Fans had grown accustomed to watching the mother-daughter duo on Teen Mom OG, with Angie giving her daughter marriage advice from time to time. One particular instance came when Mackenzie confided in her mother about infidelity issues with her husband and father of her three children, Josh McKee, as reported by People. Although Angie acknowledged her daughter's feelings, she also minced no words. "You guys built too much up together to throw it all away," she advised her daughter. "Too many young couples get divorced over stupid stuff like this and children are just messed up." FYI: Josh and Mackenzie share Gannon (2011), Jaxie (2014), and Broncs (2016).
As for where Josh and Mackenzie stand amid the premiere of TMOG Season 9 on Jan. 26, 2021, her cast bio reads, "Mackenzie accepts a job opportunity in Florida. Her marriage isn't in a good place, so Josh decides to stay in Oklahoma. Mackenzie and the kids start a new life, and she struggles when Broncs acts up in his new school. Distance makes the heart grow fonder, so Josh moves to Florida to give their marriage another shot."
Mackenzie McKee is a business owner
Along with becoming a reality star, Mackenzie McKee also managed to carve out a career for herself in the fitness world. According to her professional website, Mackenzie's fitness business, aptly titled Body By Mac, is a result of her lifelong journey to successfully manage her Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis along with her entire family's affinity for all things health and fitness. "I was raised to know all about this industry, my entire family is into a healthy lifestyle. I am around it daily and ever since I could remember I have had a huge passion for fitness, the "About Mackenzie" section reads. A quick glance at Mackenzie's website reveals that she uses a tiered subscription model, complete with live stream fitness classes, body scans, and diet plans to monetize her fitness brand.
As mentioned above, Mackenzie moved to Florida in September 2020 for a new business opportunity with Justice Nutrition. The company sells supplements it claims "support the body's overall health needs instead of providing just one stimulant-induced hour at a time."
Clearly, the star has changed a lot — physically and mentally — since she first appeared on MTV as a pregnant teen. Here's to hoping Mackenzie will continue to juggle motherhood, reality stardom, and the demands of running a business with ease.