Courtney Stodden, a figure who has long navigated public scrutiny and personal challenges, unveils her defiant anthem ‘Choke,’ a powerful dance-pop track directly addressing her past experiences with mistreatment. This single, alongside her previous song ‘Bully,’ marks a significant evolution in her artistic expression and personal healing journey, resonating deeply with anyone who has faced toxic relationships.
Courtney Stodden, the 31-year-old singer and reality star, has consistently used her platform to shed light on difficult personal experiences. From her rise to fame following her marriage to Doug Hutchinson at age 16 to recent headlines about flushing an engagement ring from ex-fiancé Chris Sheng, Stodden has openly discussed her history of “choosing men who aren’t so great” and learning from “toxic relationships,” as she shared with People.
The Fearless Message of ‘Choke’
Her latest single, “Choke,” released on October 17, is more than just a dance-pop track; it’s a profound statement of empowerment. The inspiration for the song came from a deeply personal moment. Stodden recounted to People, “I was sitting by the fire one night, and I just wrote in my diary, ‘I hope your abuser chokes.'” This raw sentiment transformed into a defiant anthem for anyone who has felt mistreated in relationships. The song’s core message is clear: if someone can’t handle you and makes you feel like the problem, you deserve to step into your power and move on.
The creation of “Choke” coincides with a period of intense reflection for Stodden. Her life became the subject of Lifetime’s highly successful biopic, “I Was a Child Bride: The Courtney Stodden Story,” which she notes as the network’s No. 1 movie of the year. This experience, along with turning 31, prompted her to look back at her life’s “whirlwind” pace and find healing through being heard. Music, she emphasizes, provides her a “safe place… without me feeling like I’m being controlled.”
A History of Public Scrutiny and Finding Her Voice
Stodden’s journey has been marked by significant challenges, often playing out in the public eye. Her marriage to Doug Hutchinson in 2011, when she was 16 and he 51, drew widespread media attention. Stodden has consistently alleged that Hutchinson groomed her, an accusation that reflects the complex and often painful start to her public life. A representative for Hutchinson did not respond to People’s request for comment on these allegations.
Beyond her early marriage, Stodden has also openly addressed being the target of bullying. In 2020, she released the song “Bully (Chrissy’s Song)”, directly calling out media personality Chrissy Teigen. Stodden accused Teigen of cyberbullying her with “violent, mean-spirited tweets” from 2011 and 2012, when Stodden was still a teenager. These experiences, as she shared, deeply affected her and propelled her therapeutic journey to process the abuse she endured.
Building a Brighter Future
Today, Courtney Stodden is in a much more stable and supportive environment. She married Jared Safier in December, a relationship she describes as a positive change. Stodden highlights his unwavering presence, stating, “He’s just always there, no matter what, and I find that very strange, because I’m used to gaslighting.” This stability underscores her ongoing healing and empowerment, allowing her to channel her past into her music.
Her passion for music, surprisingly, began in infancy. She playfully recalls her parents observing her attempts to sit up in her crib whenever the theme song for “Cops” played, remarking, “She was just so obsessed with music.” This early connection to sound has evolved into a powerful tool for self-expression and advocacy.
The Enduring Message of Self-Worth
Courtney Stodden hopes “Choke” reaches listeners who need to hear its message most. She envisions remixes of the track by artists like DJ Tracy Young or Heidi Montag, with whom she previously appeared on “The Mother/Daughter Experiment.” Ultimately, Stodden’s goal is for her music to reinforce self-worth. “If they can’t handle you and if they make you feel like you’re the problem, you deserve to step into your power, leave them in the past,” she advises. “And I hope they choke because they never could have handled you.” This resolute statement cements her position as an artist who uses her voice to uplift and empower others through shared experience.
