The Real Reason McKayla Adkins Left Unexpected

As an original cast member of TLC's Unexpected, McKayla Adkins has experienced her fair share of ups and downs. From two unforeseen pregnancies to her mental health and financial challenges, Adkins hasn't had an easy time. And now, as Unexpected enters its fourth season, this young mom is reportedly facing a future that doesn't include the show that made her famous. 

While Adkins has supposedly hinted about quitting the show on multiple occasions, Soap Dirt reports that she may not have left on her own accord. In response to one fan's question about whether or not Adkins would appear on another season, the star offered a simple but straightforward "nope." Adkins didn't divulge any additional details, leaving the real reason open to all sorts of fan theories. Some believe TLC wants to make space for new cast members, while others allege Adkins has manufactured drama just to remain relevant.

Regardless of the true reason behind Adkins exit, her personal life seems to be in just as much upheaval as her public persona.

McKayla Adkins and Caelan Morrison have two kids together: Timothy James Allen (born July 2017) and Gracelynn Ann (born January 2019.) Morrison has been part of Adkins' Unexpected story from the start, but while the two used to live together and planned to marry after their first child's birth, the stress of a second unexpected pregnancy may have taken a toll on the couple. Since their breakup, Adkins and Morrison have had an on-and-off romance while co-parenting their children.

Adkins and Morrison were definitely an item again in late 2019, because they shared a video of the whole fam shopping for their new place in October that year, but by January 2020, they'd called it quits again. Adkins took to YouTube to share her feelings about the breakup. "I know I did what was best for me and the kids. Because the kids, you know, they don't deserve two parents who are together pretty much for them..." she explained. "There should be two people in the home who love each other." Adkins also claimed Morrison "was being obsessive" and that she "wasn't really allowed to do anything without him with me."

After discussing her 2020 breakup on YouTube, McKayla Adkins reportedly took to social media to announce that she was "deleting all social media and quitting YouTube," per the Daily Soap Dish.) "...Thank you for all the support and love over the years but I'm ready to quit now."

At the time of this writing, that has not yet transpired, and considering Adkins has relied on her online presence to make ends meet, it's unclear what the young mom plans to do next. She has revealed that she's struggling in more ways than one. 

"School has just been a lot ... with two kids, it's sucking the life out of me even more," Adkins said in a YouTube video. "I just feel like I'm not giving my kids the attention they need. I don't have time for myself. I don't have time for literally anything." She also noted that since "YouTube is my job" and she hasn't had time to make videos, she's "broke pretty much." In the clip, Adkins notes that she's "mentally not good" and may need to postpone her college goals until her kids are older. She also contemplates looking for a new job. "My life's a mess right now," she says.

Whatever she decides to do next, here's hoping she finds peace and clarity in her choices. Hang in there, mama.