Jinger Duggar Opens Up About the Awkwardness of Growing Up on Reality TV in New Book.
Jinger Duggar, 31, best known for her appearances on 19 Kids and Counting and its spinoff Counting On, recently opened up about the challenges of growing up in the public eye. In her new book, People Pleaser: Breaking Free From the Burden of Imaginary Expectations, Jinger reflects on the awkwardness and pressures she faced while growing up under the constant scrutiny of reality TV cameras.
Jinger with husband Jeremy Vuolo (@jingervuolo Instagram)
Reality TV Awkwardness: "Not an Adequate Word" to Describe It
Jinger recalls the unique discomfort that comes with constantly being filmed, especially during intimate moments like family dinners. In her book, she writes, “Early days, first meals together, making small talk, the process of getting to know someone can feel a little awkward.” However, she goes on to explain that the awkwardness of having cameras filming every moment goes beyond words: “But I would say that there’s probably not an adequate word for describing the unique kind of awkward it is to go through that whole process with cameras shoved in your faces and someone interrupting you when the conversation is just starting to flow.”
Growing up in the spotlight from the age of 10, Jinger’s family was featured on the TLC documentary 14 Children and Pregnant Again in 2004, later leading to the series 19 Kids and Counting. The Duggar family’s adherence to strict religious principles and their day-to-day life quickly became a focal point of public fascination.
"Date-Night-On-Demand" and the Pressure of Filming
Jinger’s experiences as a young adult were also affected by the presence of cameras. She fondly recalls meeting her future husband, Jeremy Vuolo, during a mission trip in 2015, but filming their relationship felt anything but natural. “Date-night-on-demand” became a regular part of their courtship as the production team instructed them to recreate moments from previous takes. Jinger describes the feeling: “I was told to recreate some of the same conversations and gestures they had already done in previous takes during their date nights.”
Jinger with daughter Evangeline Jo (@jingervuolo Instagram)
One moment that stands out to Jinger occurred when she was about to make her relationship with Jeremy official. She writes, “Fast-forward a few months, and I found myself walking down the staircase in my house toward Jeremy, anticipating that we might be about to make our relationship official. I took each stair carefully, smiling at Jer, butterflies in my stomach, excited to hear what he would say to me when I got to the bottom of the stairs.” But just as she reached the bottom, the familiar words “Cut! Jinger, go back up the stairs please! We need to start over to get the shot” interrupted the moment.
The Pressure of Perfection and "Performance Expectations"
Jinger’s experience in reality TV often left her feeling torn between her natural desire to please others and the expectation to perform for the cameras. As she recounts, “He asked me to be his girlfriend, the sweetest moment. And then we got to do it all over again because there was a mic issue. And then we had to do some more takes. And then we had to do cutaways.” The pressure to maintain a perfect on-screen image was something Jinger grew accustomed to: “It was all I had known since the age of 10,” she admits. However, for Jeremy and some of her other brothers-in-law, this was an entirely new experience.
A New Chapter: Leaving Reality TV Behind
Though Jinger has expressed fondness for certain aspects of her time in the limelight, she has made it clear that she does not plan to return to reality television. In a February 2024 Instagram Q&A, Jinger shared, “I enjoyed many aspects of the show, but I have no intentions of coming back to TV.”
With the release of her book, Jinger is embracing a new chapter in her life, focusing on her personal growth and her family, away from the cameras and the pressures of public life. Her reflections offer a unique perspective on the complexities of growing up under the constant gaze of reality TV, shedding light on the emotional toll that comes with living in the spotlight.
19 Kids and Counting
Jinger Duggar is a reality TV star, best known for her role in the popular TLC series 19 Kids and Counting and its spinoff Counting On. She is the sixth child of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, a couple who gained fame for raising a large family while following strict religious principles from the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP). Jinger made her television debut at age 10 on 14 Children and Pregnant Again, which later evolved into 19 Kids and Counting.
In 2015, she married Jeremy Vuolo, a former professional soccer player and pastor. Together, they have built a life outside of the reality TV spotlight, although Jinger's experiences growing up on television have continued to shape her personal and professional journey. Jinger recently published a book titled People Pleaser: Breaking Free From the Burden of Imaginary Expectations, where she shares her reflections on growing up in the public eye and dealing with the pressure of fame.
