\n Michelle Duggar and Jim Bob<\/span> Courtesy of The Duggar Family\/Instagram<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Defending their family. Jim Bob<\/strong><\/a> and Michelle Duggar<\/strong><\/a> are speaking out against the new docuseries Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets<\/em><\/a> \u2014 which stars their daughter Jill Duggar<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n The couple \u2014 who share 19 children \u2014 called the project \u201csad\u201d in a statement shared via their website<\/a> on Thursday, June 1. \u201cLike other families, ours too has experienced the joys and heartbreaks of life, just in a very public format,\u201d the pair wrote. \u201cThis \u2018documentary\u2019 paints so much and so many in a derogatory and sensationalized way because sadly that\u2019s the direction of entertainment these days.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim Bob, 57, and Michelle, 56, continued to reflect on their family\u2019s highs and lows<\/a> in the spotlight. \u201cWe have always believed that the best chance to repair damaged relationships, or to reconcile differences, is through love in a private setting,\u201d they wrote. \u201cWe love every member of our family and will continue to do all we can to have a good relationship with each one.\u201d<\/p>\n The twosome concluded: \u201cThrough both the triumphs and the trials we have clung to our faith all the more and discovered that through the love and grace of Jesus, we find strength, comfort, and purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n The TLC alum\u2019s message came shortly before Prime Video\u2019s four-part series premiered<\/a> on Friday, June 2. Jill, 32, is one of many former followers of the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) sharing their experience on camera, along with her husband, Derick Dillard<\/strong><\/a>, and cousin Amy Duggar<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n While the episodes focus on the inner workings of the controversial religious organization<\/a> founded by Bill Gothard<\/strong>, it also explores the Duggar family\u2019s public scandals<\/a>. The big brood rose to fame in 2008 after the debut of their series 19 Kids and Counting<\/em><\/a> (originally 17 Kids and Counting<\/em>).<\/p>\n Jim Bob and Michelle\u2019s reality show ran for 10 seasons before it was canceled in 2015<\/a> after their eldest son, Josh Duggar<\/strong><\/a>, was accused of molesting several girls when he was a teenager. Jill and her sister Jessa Duggar<\/strong><\/a> were later identified as some of the victims. At the time, the duo broke their silence<\/a> on the scandal in a sit-down interview with Megyn Kelly<\/strong><\/a> and claimed that they had \u201cforgiven\u201d their brother, now 35, for his actions. (Josh is currently in prison for receiving and possessing child pornography<\/a> following his 2021 arrest.)<\/p>\n In the new docuseries, Dillard, 34, referred to his wife\u2019s TV appearance as \u201ca suicide mission.\u201d Jill, for her part, confessed that she wished the situation had been handled more privately.<\/p>\n \u201cIn hindsight, I wouldn\u2019t have done the Megyn Kelly stuff,\u201d she told the cameras. \u201cI felt like I was in a place again of, like, bearing the burden and the weight \u2026 you feel obligated to help.\u201d<\/p>\n The Arkansas native added that she didn\u2019t feel \u201cproud\u201d of the interview. \u201cIf I hadn\u2019t felt obligated to like, one, do it for the sake of the show and two, do it for the sake of my parents, I wouldn\u2019t have done it,\u201d she argued.<\/p>\n Jill and her husband \u2014 who share three sons \u2014 left reality TV behind in 2017<\/a>. Three years later, they opened up about choosing to depart from the family\u2019s spinoff series, Counting On<\/em><\/a>, which ran from 2015 to 2020.<\/p>\n \u201cWe found out we didn\u2019t have as much control over our lives as it related to the show and stuff, as we needed,\u201d Jill claimed in a 2020 YouTube video, adding that she and the lawyer \u201cdon\u2019t regret\u201d their decision<\/a>.<\/p>\n Money played a part in the pair\u2019s exit. The Counting the Cost<\/em> author revealed in Shiny Happy People<\/em> that she was \u201cnever paid\u201d for her work on reality TV. \u201cNo check, no cash, no nothing. \u2026 We were taken advantage of,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n After a dispute about filming, Jim Bob allegedly offered to give the older Duggar kids a small sum<\/a> for appearing on their show. \u201cIn order to receive that, you had to sign another deal with my dad [and] his production company, Mad Family Inc.,\u201d Jill claimed. \u201cIt would be [for], like, forever. We were automatically like, \u2018We\u2019re done.’\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Jim](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Jim-Bob-and-Michelle-Duggar-Speak-Out-Against-Shiny-Happy-People.jpg?w=700&quality=86&strip=all\")
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\n Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar<\/span> Courtesy of The Duggar Family\/Instagram<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n![\"Jim](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Jim-Bob-and-Michelle-Duggar-Speak-Out-Against-Shiny-Happy-People-2.jpg?w=700&quality=86&strip=all\")
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