Leah Messer would like to clear up a misconception.
She knows that many Teen Mom fans out there have judged her as a mother.
She knows that many are aghast over the custody battle she had to fight with ex Corey Simms over their twin girls, Ali and Aleeah.
She knows this is a sensitive topic.
But Messer recently spoke to Us Weekly and shed more light than ever before about what transpired in the past with Simms and her kids and where they stand now.
Ready to get caught up? Let’s do this…
Messer Sought Treatment in 2015
She checked into a rehab facility for depression and anxiety, as nearly all Teen Mom fans know by now. This came at a time when her daughters, Ali and Aleeah, were five years old.
The Custody Battle with Simms Turned Ugly
Just look at the cover above as evidence. “It was like a slap in the face,†Leah told Us Weekly, describing the moment she found out her ex-Simms received custody of their twins.
What Was Actually Determined?
On October 7, 2015 a judge ruled that Simms would care for the girls Monday-Friday, leaving Leah with only weekends to spend with them. So he never got FULL custody.
Said Messer at the Time:
“I feel like they should have both of us in their lives. At the end of the day, my kids are going to be happy, and I don’t care what I have to do to make them happy.”
Fast Forward to Today and Messer is Revisiting This History…
“It’s always been 50/50. People were like, ‘Leah lost custody’ … I almost did, but I never lost custody of my children,” she tells Us Weekly, perhaps doing a tiny bit of revisionist history.
How Are Things These Days?
We haven’t heard a lot about Messer and Simms in awhile, but this is what the former says of their agreement and their co-parenting: “The current custody situation, just honestly … whatever we think is best for them, we do. We are doing the week on and then a week off.”
Things Have Certainly Improved…
During season 6 of Teen Mom 2, Simms accused Leah of not getting the girls to school on time. However, Messer insisted exclusively back then that she was only late getting them to kindergarten on one occasion. Now, she admits the custody battle was “the lowest point†in her life.
I Almost Lost Everything…
“If anyone knows me, they know that when it comes to being a mom and my girls, they are my life… I wasn’t in the greatest place mentally and then it was affecting me physically, like it almost cost me my children,” Messer adds now.
How Bad Did It Get?
Says Leah in this candid interview: “I became suicidal. It was a struggle.”
But It’s Really All Good Now with Simms?
Nope, it’s actually “great,” Messer says, as both have moved far on. There are no more romantic feelings, that’s for sure.
Leah Has a New Man, For Example
His name is Jason Jordan. He’s older than Leah, but the relationship appears to be very serious and Messer’s girls appear to like him a lot.
And She Has a New Podcast Coming Out
It will be titled “Life Reboot,” it will be co-hosted by Leah’s manager and it will feature many more admissions and revelations from Messer. Look for new episodes every Wednesday.
Leah Plans on Being an Open, Helpful Book
“There’s a lot that I will address on the podcast. My role … is to share what I have went through and what I’ve learned as I’ve went through it,†she tells Us. “Every high and low in my life … that’s what I’m most excited to share and truly help others with things that may be going through the same things.”
Will She Discuss Jeremy Calvert?
Probably. He’s the dad of her five-year-old daughter Addie and plays a very important role in her life.
Leah Messer Clarifies Custody Situation: I Never Lost My Twins!
We’ve “definitely learned to coparent,” she says of herself and Calvert, adding: “We are great parents and that’s all we’ll ever be. We’re great coparents together.”
But Didn’t They Hook Up This Year?
Yes, . But that’s why Messer is now emphasizing how they are merely friends.
At the End of the Day?
Messer has simple advice: “Do what’s best for the kids,†she says. “They’re the ones that matter.â€Â
And Here are Those Kids
Pretty adorable, right?
Where Can You Learn More About Her Podcast?
You can subscribe at PodcastOne.com or Apple Podcasts to hear new episodes of “Life Reboot†every Wednesday. Follow Leah and Live Your Standard on Instagram at @leahdawn92mtv and @liveyourstandard, respectively.