How Josh Duggar's Scandal Helped Boost 7 LIttle Johnstons' Success (2024)

TLC's 7 Little Johnstons just completed its 14th season, but the reality series wasn't always as popular as it is now. Shortly after 7 Little Johnstons' first season premiered in March 2015, TLC became embattled with one of the biggest scandals to ever hit the network...

In May 2015, InTouch Weekly broke the news to the world that Josh Duggar was accused of abusing five teenage girls, four of whom were his own sisters. Josh Duggar's scandal continued to escalate as more news surrounding Jim Bob Duggar's alleged involvement in the crime, and TLC needed to get ahead of the shock. Desperate to wipe the network of the Duggar family, TLC turned to 7 Little Johnstons for backup.

Josh Duggar's Scandal Helped 7 Little Johnstons Become Popular

News of Josh Duggar's scandal ultimately forced TLC's number one show, 19 Kids and Counting, to implode. Before all the allegations made against Josh went public, the Duggar series was averaging 2.3 million viewers per new episode in what would become its final season. After Josh Duggar's police report was brought to light, in May 2015, several companies pulled their advertisem*nts from the show, including General Mills, Walgreens, Payless ShoeSource, Choice Hotels, Pizza Hut, Sweet Leaf Tea and Crayola.

TLC immediately announced they were canceling all 19 Kids and Counting reruns that were being aired ahead of season 11. In a verified Facebook post, they wrote: "Effective immediately, TLC has pulled all episodes of 19 Kids and Counting currently from the air. We are deeply saddened and troubled by this heartbreaking situation, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and victims at this difficult time."

Details surrounding the abuse continued to spread, including evidence that Jim Bob Duggar knew about Josh's alleged offenses and did not immediately report it to the authorities, which ultimately led TLC to canceling 19 Kids and Counting for good, with the last episode airing on May 19, 2015.

In a statement on their website during this time, TLC shared, "After thoughtful consideration, TLC and the Duggar family have decided to not move forward with 19 Kids and Counting... The recent attention around the Duggars has sparked a critical and important conversation about child protection."

TLC needed to fill their number one time spot after canceling 19 Kids and Counting, and reruns of 7 Little Johnstons' first season became the perfect choice, which ultimately boosted the show's popularity and exposure significantly.

Why The Johnstons Started 7 Little Johnstons

As 7 Little Johnstons' grew in success, the Johnstons family found themselves becoming more and more famous as a reality TV family. But if you ask Trent and Amber Johnston, seeking fame was never the goal. The couple's motivation for starting 7 Little Johnstons was always to educate the public about dwarfism, as well as help erase harmful myths about it.

"We want society to look at us as people -- as human beings -- and people with differences. Don't look at us like an object," Amber told the Fox News, according to ScreenRant.

For the Johnstons, fame became something that was seen as necessary to attain a mission that was very personal to their hearts.

In addition to Trent and Amber's lives, 7 Little Johnstons also follows their five children as they all navigate the world with achondroplasia dwarfism. When the series first premiered in 2015, the Johnston kids ranged in ages from 16 to 10, and the reality series was treated as a "family job." According to ScreenRant, Amber and Trent make sure everyone understands they are required to "do their shift."

"When one of the children wants to do something else – like, for instance, hang out with friends – they're reminded that sick days and vacation time must be used sparingly."

How 7 Little Johnstons Changed Over The Years

With each new season of 7 Little Johnstons, the Johnston family made lasting memories, experienced big milestones, navigated through tough situations and continued to grow along the way. As the Johnston family grew up, they have all lived through several key moments, including new houses, school dances, graduations, dating life, and even motherhood.

Though the family has always remained intact, some things about 7 Little Johnstons have changed over the series' 14 seasons.

Fans are quick to point out that in 7 Little Johnstons, season 1, Amber Johnston had a more positive outlook on handling the chaos that came with her big little family, but as the years have gone by, the Johnston matriarch has grown more controlling, often bringing a negative attitude to tough situations.

According to ScreenRant, Amber's priorities have also appeared to gradually shift with the seasons. When the Johnston kids were younger, Amber seemed to be all about raising them to become independent adults, but now, as three out of the five are now adults, she only wants them to do what she deems right. Over the years, fans have also become worried about Trent and Amber's marriage, fearing divorce from their favorite little couple, but the couple assured fans there was "way too much love to give up on each other."

• Jonah Johnston, the eldest of the Johnston kids and one of Amber and Trent's two biological children, began dating a girl named Ashley and work in car sales after flunking out of college. He moved out of the family home, but returned temporarily due to "mental health challenges."
• Anna Johnston, the second oldest, was adopted by the Johnstons from Russia when she was four years old. Anna is now a first time homeowner and runs her own Etsy shop.
• Elizabeth "Liz" Johnston, Amber and Trent's second biological child, became a nurse and moved out on her own. She and longtime boyfriend, Brice Bolden, announced they were expecting a daughter, and the couple moved back in with Amber and Trent. Liz's daughter, Leighton Drew Bolden, was born on November 3, 2023. During season 14, Liz confirmed she and Brice split up.
• Emma Johnston is officially 19 years old now, after being adopted by Amber and Trent from China when she was five years old. She has since graduated high school and also runs her own Etsy shop and has a dual enrollment at Middle Georgia State University.
• Alex Johnston, soon turning 19, was adopted into the Johnston family when he was 6 months old. Alex also graduated from high school in 2024 with Emma. His dating life has been seen on 7 Little Johnstons, as well as his love of broadcast. Alex also runs his own Etsy shop.

7 Little Johnstons

TV-PG

Reality

Release Date

June 1, 2015

Main Genre

Reality

Seasons

12

Website

https://go.tlc.com/show/7-little-johnstons-tlc

Studio

Figure 8 Films

Network

TLC

Streaming Service(s)

TLC GO

Directors

Matt Hightower