Leah Messer is well-known from the American show Teen Mom.
The reality TV star became a mother to twin daughters Aliannah and Aleeah at 16 and has been open over the years about the personal and public challenges of raising children as a teenager.
In recent years, she has appeared on Teen Mom: The Next Chapter, giving viewers an intimate look into her life as a mom to her now 15-year-old twin daughters and 11-year-old daughter Adalynn.
Fans have followed the American mom of three through marriage, divorce, and struggles with mental health. A major part of her story is her relationship with her daughters, who grew up in front of the cameras.
In the latest episode of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter, Leah reflects on the fact that her girls are now teenagers, approaching the age she was when she had them.
Reflecting on her teen pregnancy
Leah Messer, born in West Virginia, has been a familiar face to reality TV fans ever since she first appeared on 16 and Pregnant and later on Teen Mom 2.
Despite Leah’s challenging childhood and growing up in a state with one of the highest rates of teen parents and poverty, becoming a teenage parent was never part of her plan.
Before becoming pregnant, Leah lived what many would consider a typical high school dream — she was a cheerleader dating the football player. But everything shifted when her reality took an unexpected turn.
When Leah gave birth at 17, her mother was just 34 and her grandmother 51, she recalls. As Leah sees it, no one was surprised.
”It was normal,” she told Vogue, reflecting on the generational patterns. ”That was the life for many women before me. This was what was expected.”
Battle with mental health
Over the years, millions of viewers have followed her journey. The mom of three was previously married to Jeremy Calvert from 2012 to 2015 and Corey Simms from 2010 to 2011, the latter being the father of her twin daughters.
From her early challenges as a teen mom to the twins Aliannah and Aleeah, to marriage, divorce, and battles with mental health, Leah has shared both her ups and downs, making her one of the most memorable figures on the show.
Leah Messer has been one of the most open and honest reality stars, and her journey as a mother has been a significant part of her identity both on-screen and off-screen.
Over the years, we’ve seen Leah grow, learn, and face life’s challenges with courage. From teen pregnancy to becoming a seasoned and reflective mom — Leah’s journey has inspired many, and she continues to share her experiences with her fans.
Now, as the twins are starting to become teenagers, it’s clear Leah feels both proud and nostalgic about how far they’ve come.
Here’s what Leah’s daughters look like today
Now, in Teen Mom: The Next Chapter, Leah is reaching another milestone, but this time it’s her daughters who are in the spotlight. The twins, who have grown up in front of the cameras, are now preparing for their very first high school dance. For Leah, who became a mother at a young age, this is an emotional moment.
The girls are now approaching the same age she was when she had them, and it makes her reflect on how quickly time has passed and how different their upbringing has been compared to her own.
Throughout the episode, Leah shares her feelings about her daughters’ growing independence and the challenges that come with raising teenagers. She opens up about how she wants to guide them in ways she might not have as a young woman and how she hopes they can learn from her experiences.
Leah believes her daughters won’t repeat the same pattern and become pregnant at a young age.
”It’s the little things, like booking their first gynecologist appointments together next year and having these open conversations with them… that I think will be enough to break the cycle,” she says. ”I love them no matter what their journey may be, but I do want more for them and I always will.”
Her kids are growing up
For fans who have followed Leah from the beginning, this will be a special episode—a reminder of how far she’s come, not just as a mom, but also as a person.
In the February 2025 episode, we see Leah become emotional as she realizes her twin daughters are soon to be the same age she was when she became a mom. Aleeah is preparing for her first homecoming, the traditional high school dance—and Leah is both proud and sentimental as she watches how quickly time has flown by.
As any parent can relate to, it’s a special moment when kids start growing up and taking on more responsibility, and for Leah, it’s a time to reflect on her own journey as a mother. Leah reveals she’s struggling with the fact that her twin daughters Ali and Aleeah are entering the dating world. In particular, Aleeah, who’s 15.
In a candid confession, Messer, now 32, shared her thoughts on her daughter’s new relationship. She expressed her concern and the challenge it was for her to fully accept the situation. “I have a hard time accepting the whole relationship. Right now, it’s too young. Have fun, have a social life, strive for your dreams and goals,” Messer openly said.
Leah Messer has her own background, which gives her a unique perspective on young love. She got married very young and experienced the consequences of entering serious relationships in her youth.
”I got married by the time I was 18 and 19 twice before the age of 20. I know that they won’t repeat the same cycle, but it’s so easy to fall into that trap. All it takes is an unplanned pregnancy, actually,” she says.
Her daughters’ lives today
Messer acknowledges that teen pregnancies are nothing new in her family.
She reflected on how both her mother and grandmother also experienced teen pregnancies, which has shaped her views on early relationships and the challenges that come with them.
”I think that 13, 14, 15 year old should be worried about their grades and having fun and having a social life, not a damn boyfriend,” she admits.
Leah Messer understands that the teenage years are about exploration and learning. While she wasn’t prepared for it, she realizes her daughters need to date and figure out what they want in a relationship.
”I wasn’t prepared for it to happen, but it’s here. So, I guess we’ll enter the dating era.”
The girls’ dad also visited Messer’s home in Charleston, West Virginia, to see his daughters in their prom dresses before the dance.
There, he gave them the classic “dad rules”: behave, don’t give in to pressure, and keep your distance — no twerking or grinding.
A special night for Aleeah
A special moment in the episode is when Aleeah’s boyfriend comes to pick her up for the dance. In a touching scene, we see Aleeah and her boyfriend exchange pleasantries with her parents, showing the teenager’s respectful and maturing side.
The boyfriend politely greets both Leah and the twins’ father, Corey Simms, before handing Aleeah a flower crown. A sweet and meaningful symbol for this milestone in her youth. For Leah, it’s a moment that reminds her of how much her girls have grown and how they’re about to take the same steps she took in her youth.
After the dance, Messer hosted an after-party in the basement. Aleeah brought friends home, while Ali, more introverted, opted for a quiet night at a friend’s house.
The girls changed into pajamas, ate pizza, and played games. “I want them to have fun in a safe environment,” said Messer on Teen Mom: The Next Chapter. She also mentioned that she started working early, which shaped her as a person.
Struggling with a rare muscle disease
Throughout several seasons of the MTV series, viewers have followed Leah Messer’s fight for her daughter Ali. It became clear early on that Ali developed slower than her twin sister Aleeah, and her mom sought help from doctors and specialists to figure out what was wrong.
In 2014, little Ali was finally diagnosed with a rare muscle disease, which unfortunately worsened as she grew.
”It is a degenerative progressive disease. So we don’t know what the future really looks like. But I know that we’re going to enjoy every single moment now and continue to make memories and make the best of it,” Leah said.
Now, years later, Ali, who is now 15, has become much stronger both physically and mentally. She has a strong commitment to equine therapy, which Leah believes has been key to her mental strength. Ali’s growth and weight curves have also improved, giving her hope for the future.
What a wonderful family! Your love, strength, and togetherness are truly inspiring. We wish you all the best and happiness in the future.
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