After years of public relationship ups and downs, Jenelle Evans is finally choosing to put herself first.
The Teen Mom 2 alum, 33, is starting over in every sense, filing for divorce from David Eason, relocating to Las Vegas and hosting a divorce party titled, “I Do. I Did.I’m Done” at Spearmint Rhino in New York City this summer. But while she’s embracing her independence, fans have one big question: Is she dating again?
“I’ve been on two dates since I’ve been single,” Jenelle exclusively tells In Touch. “I’m just taking things easy, not jumping into anything. I’m exploring options but not trying to get into anything serious because I like my distance. I like my peace. I like my space. And I don’t want anything to disrupt that right now, especially my career goals for the future.”
The reality star, who’s been in the public eye since she first appeared on 16 and Pregnant back in 2010, is no stranger to her love life being as headline-making as her motherhood journey. Most notably her relationship with David, whom she married in 2017. Their time together was marked by controversy, legal battles and child custody struggles, and Jenelle has been candid about how toxic the dynamic became behind closed doors.
Now amid her divorce, she is stepping away from that chaos and the mom of three is clear on what she wants, and what she won’t tolerate in her next relationship.
“Job stability, number one,” she says, when asked what she’s looking for in a partner. “Humor. A gentleman. Someone who likes kids, and who can understand the dynamics of my situation and who I am.”
Jenelle Evans
Jenelle also shares that she is fiercely protective of her three kids, Jace, 14, Kaiser, 9, and Ensley, 7, and says she’s taking extra precautions when it comes to who gets close to her family.
“I think it’s really important, of course, for my kids to accept someone,” she says, “but also, I don’t want to introduce my kids to anybody too soon. So I’m really taking my time with this. I’m nervous when it comes to dating.”
After everything she’s survived, public scrutiny, online judgment and deeply personal struggles, Jenelle is focused on protecting her peace, rebuilding her life and keeping her energy clean. That’s part of why she’s going all out for her divorce party at Spearmint Rhino NYC. The event, which takes place on June 12, is open to fans 21 and older who RSVP at https://spearmintrhinonyc.com/jenelle on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests will include TikTok creators, fellow Teen Mom cast members and possibly even Farrah Abraham.
“It’s more than a party,” Jenelle says. “It’s about reclaiming my power.”
And for now, that power includes holding out for someone who’s emotionally available, financially stable and won’t disturb the calm she fought so hard to create.
“I’ve been through a lot,” she says. “But I’m not rushing anything. I’m just doing me right now.”
