Elliott Rivera was born on television during the second season of MTV’s hit reality show 16 & Pregnant. The cameras captured his mother, 16-year-old Kailyn Lowry (who goes by Kail) in labor and recorded his first moments and cries. Elliott spent his first 12 years in front of MTV’s cameras as his mother’s life was filmed for Teen Mom 2.
Now 15-years-old, Elliott sat down with Lowry on her podcast Barely Famous and came out to the world as gay. In a wide-ranging, raw two-part episode, Elliott and Lowry talked about growing up in front of the cameras, Elliott’s decision to come out as gay and his recent name change, and what it’s like to be a Teen Mom “nepo baby.” Elliott, whose birth name is Isaac Elliott Rivera, said in the podcast that he started going by his middle name because it marks a separation between who he is today and who people saw on television
“I started going by Elliott because at some point I wasn’t happy with my first name because it just doesn’t feel like me,” he said.
Coming out publicly was also a way to reclaim his identity, he said. “I want to make it clear that this is for me, and I’ve built up the courage over time to make it known and let me have my moment,” he said. “I’m really sick of people coming up with their own stories and putting things in their own words.
Teen Vogue caught up with Lowry and Elliott to talk about the episode, why Lowry says Elliott never needed to come out, and what their hopes are for the queer community. The following conversation has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
Teen Vogue: Elliott, what made you want to come out on a podcast episode?
Elliott Rivera: I went to my mom saying that I wanted to come out publicly, and I initially wanted to do it on Instagram, but we decided together that it was a better idea to make it a full episode for Patreon and the podcast. And I could tell my story in full instead of in a 1-minute video.
TV: What was it like to grow up on reality TV? Do you miss it?
ER: It was definitely an experience. I don't miss it – I think if it were maybe less of a drama series.
Kailyn Lowry: I feel the same. I wouldn’t go back to Teen Mom, but I would go back to reality TV.
ER: Maybe if it was more focused on us and not all these different families. I feel like it would be better because then the story is in full and it’s not five minutes.
TV: Your first name is Isaac and Elliott is actually your middle name that you now prefer to go by. You mentioned on the podcast that part of that decision is to help differentiate yourself from the version of you that appeared on Teen Mom 2 until you were 12-years-old. Tell me about that.
ER: The main concern about it is definitely the separation from TV and from my personal life. Also, I think I was just tired of hearing ‘Isaac’. (laughs)
TV: Kail, in the episode you said there was no need for Elliott to come out. Tell me about that.
KL: I just don't care about his sexuality. I want to support him in every way I can, but I didn't need him to confirm his sexuality with me. I don't think that most straight people wake up and decide, ‘Today's the day I'm going to tell my parents I'm straight.’ You know what I mean?
TV: Did it feel particularly important for you two to put out these episodes at a time like this, when LGBTQ+ rights are under such attack from the Trump administration?
KL: That was a catch-22 for me because on one hand, obviously, you want to support him if this is what he wants to do, and I think that he's brave for that. But on the other hand, it's scary because the rights of the queer community are under attack. That's really scary to open him up to more [of] a target on his back. That’s scary as a parent.
TV: What has the reaction to the episodes been?
KL: I’ve seen nothing but positivity. Obviously, there’s been trolls–
ER: I don’t really count them.
KL: The overwhelming amount of support and inclusivity has been great.
TV: What do you guys hope people take from the episodes?
ER: I hope for inclusivity and overall awareness and just support for someone in a similar situation. To teach parents or friends [and] family to support them and help the person who wants to come out or is trying to figure themselves out to feel included, or feel like they have support.
KL: I just want to [reach] other parents who maybe have been homophobic or family members that have been homophobic and maybe haven't accepted their child for their sexuality. I hope that other people will look at our story and say, ‘Oh, wow, I can love my child through this. It doesn't matter if they are part of the queer community. They deserve unconditional love, just like the next straight kid.’ It pains me to think about the kids who don't have supportive parents, [who] are getting kicked out of their homes for their sexuality, and that breaks my heart. I hope that these episodes will bring awareness to other families.
ER: I also really hope it's an eye opener for a lot of people and realize that being gay is not a choice.
KL: I'm just thankful for all the support of my son and all of the audience that has grown up with us on TV and have truly supported him since his birth. I can't thank you guys enough for supporting him and loving him. I'm thankful for that.
