Leah Messer is in awe of where the last 16 years of her life has led her.
Now a mom of three, Leah was first introduced to the world as a 17-year-old pregnant with twins on season 2 of 16 & Pregnant. Aleeah and Aliannah were born prematurely on Dec. 16, 2009. It sometimes still amazes Leah that the whole thing unfolded with cameras rolling.
“The first time [production] called, I remember I was getting my nails done. I couldn’t believe that someone was actually calling me to be a part of a television series. I was shook,” she admits to PEOPLE.
“Corey and I did a self-tape and we couldn’t believe it ended up being real,” she says of her and Simms. The two were briefly married, but ultimately parted ways. Leah moved on with Jeremy Calvert, with whom she welcomed daughter Adalynn. The two split in 2015.
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From Left: Corey and Leah hold their twins on ‘Teen Mom 2’
Related: Teen Mom‘s Leah Messer and Corey Simms Team Up to Discuss Muscular Dystrophy and Wheelchair Use with Daughter Aliannah
Through it all, Leah continued sharing her story on Teen Mom. Though she was okay with cameras rolling, she admits, “It took me years to really get accustomed to and understand this realm.”
“At 17, I had really no idea of what to expect,” she says. “But it’s been unbelievable. I couldn’t believe the series took off the way that it did. I was very naive to the fact that there were so many people who were apart of making it happen, and so many people watching.”
For more on where the 16 & Pregnant cast stands 16 years later, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday, or subscribe here.
For Leah, sharing her story hasn’t always been easy, but it’s always been about “making a difference.”
“I think the show just resonated with so many people,” she says. “It was unbelievable that it had such a huge impact, especially the way it did at the beginning. There was a turning point, where you realize you really are a role model to young women out there.”
“That alone had a real impact on me,” she continues. “Because before that pivoting moment of realizing that, I had so much confusion and anxiety about so many people being in my life and having access. Realizing that was a blessing in disguise.”
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From Left: Leah and a friend with her twins
Related: Teen Mom‘s Aleeah Simms Tells Mom Leah Messer Why She Wanted Twin Aliannah to Get Her Learner’s Permit First
Leah believes its important to bring that confidence and self-assuredness into raising three young women. Twins Aliannah and Aleeah, who turn 16 this December, tell PEOPLE they’ve enjoyed being part of the show.
“Having bits of my life on TV has been a challenging, but wonderful experience,” Aleeah shares.
“Having cameras following me around my whole life has been really interesting,” Ali agrees. “It’s fun because they go literally everywhere with us — even restaurants and stores.”
Bowen Fernie/MTV
From Left: Aleeah and Aliannah Simms
Related: Leah Messer Says She’s ‘Having a Difficult Time’ as Daughter Aleeah Starts Dating: ‘Easy to Fall into That Trap’
Both twins find humor in looking back at Leah and Corey’s early days. “Being able to see bits of my parents as teens is very funny to watch,” Ali says.
“It’s fascinating because I get to see where they started and how much they’ve grown,” Aleeah adds.
For Leah, “this past 16 years has been nothing short of celebratory.” She says, “This journey’s been built with highs and lows, but there are so many unforgettable memories that we’ll have and be able to cherish forever.”
Bowen Fernie/MTV
From Left: Aliannah, Leah and Aleeah Simms
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“Also, it’s been real. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing. There have been challenges that each of us has faced, and we’ve filmed that setbacks and moments of doubt along the way,” she adds.
Leah continues, “But ultimately, through it all, I think that every setback, every high, every low has taught our family resilience and strength and the value of perseverance through it all. And it’s just really been an unforgettable journey, the entire 16 years.”
Check out MTV’s celebration of 16 years of the 16 & Pregnant journey on the May 5th episode of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter.
Read the original article on People
