Courtney Stodden, married at 16 to 50-year-old Doug Hutchison, lauds Governor 'Daddy Newsom' after California bans child marriage; here's her journey from a child bride to social activist

From being a part of one of the most controversial teen marriages of Hollywood to becoming a vocal critic of the practice of child marriage in America, Courtney Stodden has come a long way. The now-32-year-old was only 16 years old when she got married to 'The Green Mile' star Doug Hutchison who was 50 back then - an experience she would later say left her feeling 'taken advantage of'.

Now 32, the model and media personality has every reason for celebration. California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law AB 1267, effectively making it illegal to marry people younger than 18 years in the state. It’s been a long road for Stodden, who helped advocate for the bill, as the news means very much to her personally. Stodden has publicly congratulated Newsom and, in fact, referred to him as 'Daddy Newsom' on social media.

"Governor Newsom’s action today made clear to me and to survivors of child marriage everywhere that we should never have been expected to carry this burden," said Courtney Stodden in a press statement.


"I’m deeply grateful to Unchained At Last and every survivor who fought to make this possible - California is a victory, but I’m not stopping here. I will keep fighting until children are protected from marriage in all 50 states."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Courtney MF Stodden (@courtneyastodden)

COURTNEY STODDEN’S MARRIAGE AT 16 SPARKED CONTROVERSY

Stodden became a big talking point in 2011 when she married actor Hutchison. She was 16, while Hutchison was 50. The marriage took place with parental approval and immediately generated intense media attention because of their 34-year age difference. Stodden has since spoken openly about how differently she views the relationship as an adult.

While campaigning against child marriage, she emphasized that being legally married did not suddenly give her the independence, resources or decision-making power of an adult.

The two finally got divorced in 2020. As noted on social media during the time of their divorce, Stodden stated that by reflecting back on the marriage, she realized that she had had been taken advantage of. She later remarried, tying the knot with television producer Jared Safier in 2024.

FROM HER OWN EXPERIENCE TO CAMPAIGNING FOR CHANGE

Rather than leaving her experience in the past, Stodden turned it into a reason to speak publicly about child marriage. She became involved with Unchained At Last, a survivor-led nonprofit working to end forced and child marriage in the United States. Stodden also spoke with lawmakers about her own story while supporting efforts to establish 18 as California’s minimum marriage age.

When AB 1267 unanimously cleared the California Senate in August, Stodden described the development as 'historic'. She said she did not want another child to experience what she had gone through and argued that children should be protected rather than married.

California previously had no absolute minimum marriage age, provided certain requirements, including parental consent and judicial approval, were met.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Governor Newsom Press Office (@govpressoffice)

WHY STODDEN IS CALLING NEWSOM ‘DADDY NEWSOM’

That years-long fight against the child marriage finally reached a milestone on September 30 when California Governor Newsom has signed AB 1267 into law, setting 18 as the minimum age for marriage and domestic partnerships in the state, with no exceptions. The law takes effect January 1, 2027. Stodden was herself present when Newsom signed the legislation and later celebrated the moment online, jokingly calling the governor 'Daddy Newsom'.

Behind the playful nickname, however, was a serious message. Stodden said she had spent years wishing someone had protected her younger self and described California’s decision as a victory for survivors.

But she doesn’t see California as the finish line. Stodden has made clear that she wants the campaign to continue nationwide, saying she plans to keep fighting until children are protected from marriage across all 50 states.