'Teen Mom' star Kailyn Lowry's son comes out and explains why he changed his name

Teen Mom 2 star Kailyn Lowry’s 15-year-old son Elliot Rivera just came out publicly and is opening up about the way his mom’s fame has impacted him.

“This is for me, and I’ve built up the courage over time to make it known and let me have my moment,” shared Elliot (who was formerly known as Isaac). “I'm really sick of people coming up with their own stories and putting things in their own words and things coming out on other people's terms about me, because my life isn't entertainment for other people.”

Elliot confirmed his queer identity on the June 6 episode of Lowry’s podcast Barely Famous, explaining, “This is for me, and I’ve built up the courage over time to make it known and let me have my moment. I’m really sick of people coming up with their own stories and putting things in their own words.”

He continued, ”My life is my life and I can do what I want with it. And for people to take things from my life, like personal stuff, is not okay. If I want to share it, I should share that on my own terms."

During a candid conversation with his mom, which will have a part two available on Patreon, Elliot said that he had made the decision to come out publicly, but doesn’t think it’s necessary for everyone to do so, People reports.

“I’m doing it for me so you can do what you want,” he revealed. “If you think it’s necessary to come out, do it. But if you don’t, then just be yourself. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone. Just be who you are.”

Fans met Elliot back in 2010 on 16 and Pregnant, when Lowry starred in an episode and welcomed her oldest son into the world on national television. The two then starred in Teen Mom 2, which documented Lowry’s life and experiences as a young mother. Lowry left the series in May 2022.

Elliot also opened up about why he decided to change his name, though his father still calls him Isaac.

"I started going by Elliott, because at some point, I wasn't happy with my first name. It just doesn't feel like me," he explained.

Lowry admitted that she never gave a f—“ about his name change or sexuality.

"If you came home and told me that you wanted to marry a woman, cool. You tell me you want to marry a man? Cool. I don't give a f--- because at the end of the day, that part does not affect me or my life,” she said. "It only affects you and who you love is who you love. At the end of the day, I'm not going to sever a relationship with my child based off of who he love or doesn't love.”

As hard as living in the public eye has been, Elliot is glad to be able share this with the world and hopes it makes a difference to other people who are struggling with coming out.

“Happy pride everybody!” he said. “I’m here today to show you who I am — not who you saw on TV for 12 years of my life. It’s very important to me because I feel like growing up on TV, it’s hard to show who you really are when a camera is in front of you all the time. It’s harder to be yourself and be more comfortable because you know it’s going to be everywhere.”