Reality TV Alum Felt Intense Pressure to Look "Perfect" on Camera

In October 2025, former reality TV star Amy Duggar King is set to release a tell-all memoir, "Holy Disruptor: Shattering the Shiny Facade While Getting Louder with the Truth." Ahead of the book's release, King has opened up about the immense pressure she felt to look "perfect" while filming the hit show 19 Kids and Counting.

King, now 38 years old, explains that during her time on the show, she was responsible for financing most of her on-camera wardrobe, including clothes, makeup, and hair products. This financial burden weighed heavily on her, as she was "scrambling to keep up" with the expectations of appearing flawless in front of millions of viewers. King estimates she spent "probably thousands" constantly refreshing her look to avoid wearing the same thing twice.

The rise of social media, particularly the growing popularity of Instagram, also contributed to the pressure King felt to maintain a certain image. She says the impact of social media on self-image "hit her like a ton of bricks," leading her to put even more pressure on herself to look a certain way.

Despite the challenges, King has found solace in her love of thrifting, a habit she learned from her grandmother. She continues to thrift to this day, finding it a sustainable way to keep her wardrobe fresh while honoring the memory of her beloved grandmother.