Lifetime’s newest release, I Was a Child Bride: The Courtney Stodden Story, premiered on September 27, 2025, at 8:00 pm (ET) and is now streaming on Philo, Sling, and DIRECTV. The biopic revisits one of Hollywood’s most controversial and disturbing celebrity marriages — that of Courtney Stodden, who married actor Doug Hutchison at just 16 years old, while he was 51. Told through Courtney’s own narration, the film aims to reclaim their story, delving into the emotional and psychological trauma they endured. However, in the wake of its release, Courtney’s mother, Krista Keller, has spoken out, disputing how she was portrayed.
The film explores the events leading up to Courtney’s infamous marriage in May 2011, shedding light on themes of exploitation, manipulation, and survival. It portrays how a vulnerable teen became entangled in a relationship that the media often sensationalized rather than condemned.
Courtney is portrayed by Holley J. Barrett, while Maggie Lawson plays Krista Keller and Doug Savant steps into the role of Doug Hutchison. The narrative doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths — including the alleged role Courtney’s mother played in enabling the marriage. One pivotal scene shows Krista encouraging her daughter to marry Hutchison as the “only legal way” for them to continue seeing each other, a depiction that has now become the center of real-life controversy.
In a candid conversation with The Sun, Krista Keller said she was deeply hurt and disappointed by how the film portrayed her, claiming that Lifetime’s dramatization crossed a line. Referring to the controversial scene, she said:
“It was really hard for me to watch. It really made me sad… I never made that decision for her. I didn’t talk her into it. I wish I would have talked her out of it. And, you know, wait till you’re 18. And we wouldn’t be in this situation.”
Krista added that while she had initially cooperated with the production team to ensure accuracy, she believes the filmmakers exaggerated key moments for emotional effect:
“Lifetime has that disclaimer so they can add drama, but that particular scene was very hurtful. It just crushed me because it never happened. I want to set the record straight — I did not force or manipulate my daughter into this marriage.”
Courtney and Krista’s turbulent relationship has long been a matter of public scrutiny. Over the years, Courtney has accused their mother of emotional manipulation and inappropriate involvement with Doug Hutchison, while Krista has maintained that she was simply a supportive “stage mom.” In previous interviews, Krista even admitted to telling Doug that she “loved him,” a revelation that only deepened the rift between her and Courtney.
Despite their long history of tension, Krista insists she has always loved and supported her child, and that the Lifetime film’s portrayal fails to capture that complexity.
I Was a Child Bride: The Courtney Stodden Story is both haunting and necessary — a raw portrayal of power imbalance, exploitation, and survival in the glare of Hollywood’s spotlight. Whether viewers side with Courtney’s account or understand Krista’s pain over her portrayal, the film sparks a critical discussion about parental consent, child protection, and the darker side of fame.
Are you planning to watch the biopic and see how Lifetime handled such a controversial real-life story?
