"Breaking Amish" by TLC Completely Fake?
It's a known fact that reality TV is, in fact, not all real. But TLC's "Breaking Amish" show might just be completely filled with lies.
The network claims that the show follows Amish people "leaving their communities for the first time." However, in reality, they left the Amish lifestyle years ago.
Jeremiah Raber, one of the cast members who is in his 30's, claimed to be leaving his family's farm for the "first time," when he actually left the Amish at age 18, according to Jezebel.com. He was also married to former Amish woman, Naomi Stutzman. She allegedly told a local news station that TLC tried to bribe her with money to keep her quiet about Raber's past; however, the network denies these claims.
In the series, Raber allegedly pretended to be completely unfamiliar with technology.
Stutzman told Star magazine, "I had to laugh when he claimed he never owned a cell phone. He's had one for as long as I've known him." She also told magazine he loves "Guns N'roses" and Eminem, frequents strip clubs and "was always known as the guy with the coolest cars."
Rebecca and Abe, two other cast members, claimed they only knew of each other because they belonged to the same church. On the show, the two went on their "first date" and Abe was looking forward to "getting to know Rebecca." But Rebecca and Abe have been dating for a while and have a child together.
Abe also said he had never "partied" before, but was arrested four years ago in Kentucky for public intoxication, according to Jezebel.com.
Sabrina, the only Mennonite featured on the show, was married in a secular ceremony in 2009 and participated in the documentary "Amish at the Altar."
Cast-member Kate is supposedly a Bishop's daughter, who openly admitted to receiving a DUI. However, Kate declared that she is officially leaving the Amish community on the show. According to the X Amish Atheist, "In reality, sources tell me that Kate hasn't been Amish for years. She has been driving a car, dressing non-Amish, and working in a Ruby Tuesdays in Lebanon, Pennsylvania."
Kate, in August 2010, also entered a Best Smile Contest with an online modeling agency. On the show she did describe herself as an "aspiring model."
TLC released a statement about all of the accusations that have been made about the show: "There is a lot of information floating around about the group featured on 'Breaking Amish'. Much of it is not true, but some of it is - and is addressed in upcoming episodes."
