NEW YORK, NEW YORK: 'Teen Mom' star Leah Messer's father Gary Lee Miller recently caused fans of the show to slam him after he was filmed uttering homophobic slurs during Wednesday's episode of 'Teen Mom: The Next Chapter'.
The incident occurred live during the show as Messer spoke to her father over the phone. Over the years, her father has grown estranged from her. She connected with him once again at the request of her sister Victoria. This was done possibly to try and convince him to check into a rehabilitation facility for pain management.
Who is 'Teen Mom' star Leah Messer's father?
Leah Messer's father is Gary Lee Miller. He previously made an appearance on 'Teen Mom 2', in the episode featuring his daughter's wedding with Jeremy Calvert, during which he walked her down the aisle.
Messer has been vocal about her upbringing and in her memoir, Hope, Grace, and Faith, has discussed her father's addiction troubles. She mentioned that her father sustained injuries to his neck and back while working on bridges in West Virginia. Doctors had prescribed him oxycodone, a highly addictive drug. Since then things have gone downhill with Miller and he is still under the influence of his addictive habits to this day.
After being estranged for several years, Miller finally contacted Messer over the telephone. Messer has stated that reuniting with her father was definitely one of the turning points in her life. Messer herself had been through a brief stint in rehabilitation back in 2013, owing to her addiction to painkillers.
'Teen Mom' fans horrified by Gary Lee Miller's homophobic slurs on camera
Messer was speaking to her father on the phone when the latter mentioned a rehab facility in California, which Messer's mother had suggested. Messer herself stated that she is fond of the area but was instantly rebuked by her father, who harbored a completely different opinion about the West Coast.
Miller went on to say, "They’re too into f****ts and q***rs, and I just..Lord forgive me, but that’s truth,". His daughter was visibly upset and replied sternly, "No, you cannot say that". Miller tried to defend himself by saying that "The Lord made male and female." Messer put her father's argument to rest by saying that she did not agree with what he had said. By the end of the conversation, Miller could be heard growing emotional as his daughter hung up on him.
The homophobic slurs dropped by Miller on camera have caused a stir among fans of 'Teen Mom'. Many took to social media platforms to voice their outrage and some even praised Messer for not putting up with her father's homophobia.
Who is 'Teen Mom' star Leah Messer?
Messer is the 31-year-old mother of three daughters, namely Adalynn Faith (aged 10) and twins Aliannah Hope and Aleeah Grace (aged 13). She was born to a teenage mother who in turn was born to a teenage mother. By the time she was in kindergarten, her parents had separated. The MTV star has stated that she lacked a father's love in her life.
Messer first appeared on television with MTV's '16 & Pregnant'. She then appeared on 'Teen Mom 2' in January, 2011 with her now ex-husband Corey Simms. She has been married twice and fans have witnessed the ups and downs of her marital life over the years.
