Imagine feeling trapped, like your voice doesn't matter. That's exactly how Amy Duggar King describes her experience on "19 Kids and Counting." She felt "scared" and "silenced," a stark contrast to the confident woman she is today. But how did she break free from that feeling? Let's delve into her journey of self-discovery and how she's determined to raise her own children differently.
Amy Duggar King, niece of the famous Duggar patriarch Jim Bob and matriarch Michelle, is opening up about her personal evolution since her time on the hit TLC show. She credits her husband, Dillon King, as a major catalyst for this transformation. Amy doesn't hold back when describing her past self. She told E! News in an exclusive interview that watching old clips of herself on "19 Kids and Counting" is almost like watching a stranger. "If I look back at the old videos of me being on And Counting, I really don't recognize that girl,” Amy stated. "She's a shell of a person. She was scared. She couldn't stand up for herself. She was silenced. She lived in a lot of fear, a lot of fear.”
Now, at 39 years old, Amy is ready to introduce the world to the real her. And this is the part most people miss: it's not about completely rejecting her past, but about learning from it. With her memoir, "Holy Disruptor: Shattering the Shiny Facade by Getting Louder With the Truth," set to release on October 14th, she's embracing a new chapter. "It's really nice to just be like, ‘Hi world, this is Amy. I’m a holy disruptor,’” she explained. “I'm changing the way that I'm going to live my life. From now on, I'm going to live in peace.”
What's fascinating is the role Dillon played in Amy's journey. Married for 10 years and parents to 5-year-old Daxton, their relationship has been instrumental in Amy's growth. "I didn't realize, honestly, for a very long time,” she confessed, “the things that I learned as a child, and as a teenager and even as a young adult—that they were unhealthy. I always just went with it and what I was always taught, and I never questioned it.” Dillon, it seems, helped her question those ingrained beliefs. "So I really appreciate Dillon, because he kind of opened my eyes and was like, ‘Amy, hello. This isn't healthy.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, well, what is?’ He's really helped me grow as a person.”
But here's where it gets controversial... Some might argue that questioning deeply held beliefs is disrespectful or goes against family values. What do you think? Is it always healthy to challenge the norms you grew up with, or are some traditions worth preserving, even if they feel uncomfortable?
Interestingly, Dillon wasn't the only one supporting Amy. Her cousin, Jill Duggar Dillard, also proved to be an invaluable resource as Amy wrote her memoir. "The book was really hard to write, but it was really nice to have her to lean on,” Amy shared. “There are conversations that we've had—we've discussed all kinds of things that are just between Jill and I, and that's what I think builds trust is just being able to share from our heart. It doesn't have to be filtered, that we don't have to watch what we say. We can just say it out loud, and we know that it's not going anywhere.” This highlights the importance of having a safe space and trusted confidantes when navigating personal growth and change. As Amy put it, “Jill and I have a vault, and there's just this level of trust that will never be broken.”
Amy emphasized that her bond with Jill has only grown stronger over the years. "Jill and I have grown 'so close' over the years, Amy emphasized their bond is only 'getting stronger.' She added, “I really appreciate her.”
Amy's story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to redefine yourself and live authentically. It raises important questions about family dynamics, personal growth, and the courage to challenge the status quo. What aspects of Amy's story resonate with you the most? Do you agree with her approach to raising her own children differently? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
