“Teen Mom” star Amber Portwood is starting a new chapter in her love life. The reality TV star recently revealed during a June 23 TikTok Live that she’s been dating a new man “for over a month” and called their relationship “a good thing”, reportedly. She said he’s held the same job for over 20 years and has a “thick North Carolina accent,” describing him as “super sweet” and respectful of her space. Portwood chose not to share his name publicly.
The new romance comes over a year after her public split from ex-fiancé Gary Wayt, who went missing in 2024 while the couple was staying at a hotel in Bryson City, North Carolina. He was later found in Oklahoma, more than 900 miles away. Portwood ultimately called off their engagement and later revealed on the show that the situation deeply impacted her mental health.
She’s been open about navigating bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder for over 15 years, and said her relationship with Wayt “broke” her despite being stable at the time, according to People.
Portwood shares two children from previous relationships: daughter Leah Shirley with Gary Shirley, and son James with Andrew Glennon.
Ongoing Fallout With Daughter Leah
While her love life may be improving, Portwood’s relationship with her daughter Leah remains strained. In recent TikTok Lives, she accused Leah’s father, Gary, and his wife, Kristina, of “grooming” Leah and keeping them apart, despite claiming she still has custody. She also said she has 13 years of “receipts” and is prepared to go to court if needed, according to OK! Magazine.
Leah, now 16, recently spoke about their estrangement on “Teen Mom: The Next Chapter”, telling castmates Maci Bookout and Catelynn Lowell that she was “done” trying to fix things. Leah said her mom’s behavior felt inconsistent and “fake,” especially when cameras were rolling.
In the season finale, Leah even sent a text to Amber stating, “This isn’t meant to hurt you, but I want to let you know that all these years it’s been my decision to not have a relationship with you and nobody has influenced my decision.”
“Not Sorry”
Portwood also made headlines recently for saying she has “no regrets” about previously assaulting Gary Shirley during their relationship. On TikTok Live, she claimed he cheated on her three times while they were raising Leah together, saying, “I’m not gonna be sorry about that.”
She doubled down during the livestream, reiterating that she stood by her past actions and placing blame on Gary’s alleged infidelity.
