Duggar Family news: Family friend defends Joy-Anna's rumored shotgun wedding

Screenshot of Joy-Anna and Austin Forsyth from their pregnancy announcement video posted by TLC TLC

Friends of the Duggar family have come to the aid of Joy-Anna Duggar amidst the fan allegations of her marriage being done out of unplanned pregnancy.

Website In Touch Weekly has revealed that an anonymous family friend of the Duggars have claimed that this case is highly unlikely. Still, this was not enough to quell the rumors as Joy-Anna and her husband Austin Forsyth have been very active in social media, leading some fans to make their assumptions based on the photos they have posted prior to the wedding or the pregnancy announcement.

There was also the fact that Joy-Anna had not been posting a lot of pictures showing off her baby bump, which made fans even more inquisitive, even going as far as thinking that her parents were keeping it secret. However, a photo from last month's Veteran's Day has shown Joy-Anna with her baby bump, which according to fans looked as if it was conceived much longer than her actual announced pregnancy date of August.

Early this month, the couple also posted a photo on Instagram showing them side-by-side in the cockpit of a plane where they were off to someone's wedding ceremony. The photo made fans suspicious since it did not show their bellies and was seemingly cropped at the chest. Some also speculated that Joy-Anna may have already given birth due to how much thinner she was, especially when compared to her aforementioned November photo. Lastly, a few have even suggested that a plane ride was too much for someone who was actually pregnant.

This rumor could have a lot of implications, not only for the couple but also for the Duggars, as it could mean that Joy-Anna and Austin were practicing premarital sex, a notion which is religiously shunned by their Christian family. Apparently the couple was not even included in the large family Thanksgiving photo, which left some fans disappointed since they really wanted to see Joy-Anna's baby bump.

Whatever the truth is about her pregnancy or the real story about her wedding, there is no sure way to tell, as the family has been very private about her.

News
Civil rights leader Rev Jesse Jackson dies at 84
Civil rights leader Rev Jesse Jackson dies at 84

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a longtime civil rights activist and former presidential candidate who garnered controversy over his political activism and personal misconduct, has died at age 84.

Pastor considers legal action after arrest over comments on Islam and transgender ideology
Pastor considers legal action after arrest over comments on Islam and transgender ideology

The Alliance Defending Freedom warns of more such arrests if the government introduces its much-maligned definition of 'anti-Muslim hatred'.

Why do Christians observe Shrove Tuesday?
Why do Christians observe Shrove Tuesday?

17 February 2026 is Shrove Tuesday, the traditional day for eating pancakes before the start of Lent. This is the story …

CoE announces £400,000 to get young people into choirs
CoE announces £400,000 to get young people into choirs

Most CoE choirs currently have no children involved.