Courtney Stodden calls out Dr. Drew over 2011 TV breast exam
Courtney Stodden has publicly blasted Dr. Drew Pinsky after a resurfaced 2011 clip showed the then-teen undergoing a live breast ultrasound on his talk show Lifechangers at age 16. In a new Instagram post, Stodden called the segment exploitative and questioned whether the TV doctor ever cared about her wellbeing as a minor.
The backlash lands years after Stodden first faced intense media scrutiny over her controversial marriage to actor Doug Hutchison, who was 51 when they wed in 2011. She has since described that relationship as involving grooming and abuse, and she is now holding past broadcasters accountable for how she was treated on air.
Key Takeaways
- Stodden appeared on Dr. Drew's Lifechangers in November 2011, shortly after her marriage to Hutchison.
- On the show, she underwent an on-air breast ultrasound before a live studio audience to disprove implant rumors.
- Stodden says she was 16, had no legal rights, and alleges her appearance fee went directly to Hutchison.
- Dr. Drew has not publicly responded; social media users have called the segment disturbing and inappropriate.
What Happened on Dr. Drew's Lifechangers in 2011?
According to BuzzFeed, Courtney Stodden appeared on Dr. Drew's daytime talk show Lifechangers in November 2011, six months after her marriage to Hutchison. The couple appeared to address public scrutiny surrounding their relationship and to dispel rumors about themselves.
One rumor claimed Stodden had breast implants despite being a minor. To address it, she underwent a live breast ultrasound on the soundstage in front of a live studio audience. Stodden lay onstage while Hutchison and Dr. Drew stood nearby, and footage shows her looking visibly uncomfortable during the segment.
Why Is Courtney Stodden Speaking Out Now?
Stodden shared the resurfaced clip on Instagram and wrote that watching it filled her with sadness. She said Dr. Drew had her on the show at 16 and had her undergo an ultrasound to determine whether her breasts were real.
"I wasn't an underage girl. I was a minor trapped in a situation that I wasn't able to get out of legally. I had no rights at the time," she wrote, according to reports citing her post. Stodden also claimed the fee for appearing on the programme was paid directly to Hutchison, whom she has called her abuser.
Addressing Dr. Drew directly, she asked: "What made you think this was a good idea? As a doctor, did you think this was actually healthy for a little girl to experience? Did you even care?" The story fits a broader pattern of Stodden revisiting how the media treated her as a teenager, including recent criticism of other public figures.
How Did Viewers and Fans React?
Although Dr. Drew has not publicly responded to Stodden's post, the resurfaced clip has drawn fresh outrage online. Commenters questioned how the segment was ever allowed to air, with some calling it "so disturbing" and "wildly inappropriate," per BuzzFeed.
Stodden, who uses she/her pronouns according to her Instagram page, has spoken candidly in recent years about the lasting impact of her early fame. For more stories on unusual celebrity controversies, see our Bizarre World coverage.
Has Dr. Drew Responded to the Criticism?
As of the latest reporting, Dr. Drew Pinsky has not issued a public statement addressing Stodden's Instagram post or the renewed attention on the 2011 segment. The silence has only fueled further debate about accountability for how minors were portrayed on daytime television during that era.
Stodden's comments have reignited discussion about whether networks and medical professionals crossed ethical lines by putting a teenager through a televised breast exam for entertainment value. Whether Dr. Drew will respond remains an open question as the clip continues to circulate.