Former reality television star Jinger Duggar has publicly addressed her notable nine-year absence from the Duggar family Christmas celebrations, while also revealing intimate details of a 'deep betrayal' that tested her marriage in its early days.
Choosing Christmas With The Vuolo Family
On a recent episode of The Jinger & Jeremy Podcast, which she hosts with her husband Jeremy Vuolo, the 32-year-old clarified the reasons behind her holiday choices. She firmly dismissed any speculation of a family feud, stating it was simply a matter of prioritising time with her husband's relatives.
Jeremy Vuolo shared that the couple had not returned to the Duggar family home for Christmas since their marriage in 2016, but confirmed they plan to visit this year. Jinger explained that the festive period became the designated time to see Jeremy's family, as it was often the only occasion when everyone could gather.
'Throughout the years, we've decided that's going to be the time that we spend with the Vuolo family,' she said. She emphasised that the Duggars are 'always together' and that she and Jeremy frequently travel from their home in Santa Clarita, California, to Arkansas for other events, noting they visited three times in one year for weddings.
A Life In The Spotlight And A Shift In Beliefs
Jinger, along with her then-16 siblings, rose to fame on the TLC reality series 19 Kids and Counting, which premiered in 2008. The show, which was later renamed Counting On, captivated audiences with its portrayal of the ultra-strict, religious upbringing dictated by parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar.
The family follows the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP), a Christian organisation founded by Bill Gothard. Its teachings advocate for homeschooling, modest dress, and avoiding contact with the opposite sex before marriage. Jinger has since spoken candidly about the 'lasting trauma' of her 'cult-like' upbringing and is no longer a member of the IBLP.
The original series ended in 2015, with Counting On continuing until its cancellation in 2021 amidst the scandal of her brother Josh Duggar's arrest and subsequent conviction on child pornography charges. He is currently serving a 12-and-a-half year prison sentence.
Marriage Tested By 'Deep Betrayal'
In a separate, deeply personal revelation on their podcast, Jeremy Vuolo, 37, recounted a period of profound crisis early in their marriage. He described experiencing a 'deep betrayal' from people close to him, which left the couple feeling 'shaken' and 'deeply unsettled.'
'There was a time in our life very early on in our marriage where we experienced some – I describe it as deep betrayal,' the former footballer said. He clarified that the incident did not involve Jinger's family, but rather people in his own life whom he had been excited for Jinger to meet.
The couple sought counsel from their pastor, with Jeremy recalling Jinger was in 'deep tears.' Their pastor told them the experience was teaching them 'how to walk alone,' relying solely on each other and their faith. Vuolo reflected that the painful episode, which stripped them of their expected support network, was ultimately 'necessary.'
Jinger interjected that the hardship profoundly deepened their relationship. 'When you walk through pain and hardship together, it just binds your hearts in a different way,' she said. The couple, who met in May 2015 and married in September 2016, now have three children: daughters Felicity Nicole and Evangeline Jo, and son Finnegan Charles.
