Maci Brookout is giving grace when it comes to others.
E! News’ exclusive look at Teen Mom: The Next Chapter’s Aug. 1 episode gives a glimpse into the reality star’s meetup with ex-fiancé Ryan Edwards’ new girlfriend Amanda Conner, and their conversation surrounding sobriety.
“I wouldn’t want somebody to judge me based off anything I’ve done in my past,” Maci explained to Amanda in the teaser. “That’s been big for me the last few years, especially with me and Ryan trying to co-parent and trying to get on a better and a more healthy co-parenting relationship. I can’t hold any of the bulls–t against anybody.”
She’s had a strained relationship with Ryan, who’s been on his own sobriety journey after his drug overdose in September. Learning how to work together for their son Bentley, 15, was no easy feat. And while out to lunch with Maci, Amanda reflected on her drug addiction and her path to sobriety.
“I had almost two years sober, and that’s when my parents ended up passing away,” she recalled. “My mom was always in active addiction and then she started using with me. I don’t want to make out like she’s a bad parent—she was young. Shortly after, my father got bone cancer, stage four, and passed away—which is also not an excuse to go back out—but it was very hard.”
As Amanda explained, her decisions earlier in life led to her expulsion from high school, where she and Maci both attended.
“I got kicked out of public schools from drugs and fighting and getting in trouble, getting arrested at a young age,” she shared. “I don’t know why it took so long to learn, but I went through the wringer and I’m not going back there.”
Now, Amanda is in a far better place overall. “I’m happy where I’m at in life,” she noted. “Even when I was sober before, I’ve never been mentally, emotionally happy.”
