Jana Duggar may be 30 and still single, but the Counting On star says she’s “not that worried” about it (unlike her family and the show’s producers, who constantly badger poor Jana about her unmarried status).
In an new interview with Us Weekly to promote the upcoming season of ‘Counting On,’ Jana and her mother— the ever-fertile Michelle Duggar— discussed the fact that Jana has yet to get hitched and pump out a steady stream of babies like her mother and sisters have done. Over the years, Jana’s still-single status has caused rumors to swirl about her— from whispers she’s actually a lesbian to stories about her being forbidden by her parents to get married. (Jana has denied there being any truth to any of the rumors, though.)
In the interview, Jana assured everyone she does want to get hitched someday…but she’s not fretting over it.
“Yes, I long to be married and one day I think that day will come,” Jana told the magazine. “I’m just trying to stay busy with what comes along on my path.”
Over the years, Jana’s singlehood has been a constant story line on ‘Counting On,’ and Jana’s own dad, Jim Bob Duggar, has even teased her publicly for not getting married.
Jana did admit that sometimes she feels pressure to tie the knot.
“Sometimes it can get tiring, [being asked] the same questions over and over,” she said. “I guess it just depends on the day and the time and how many times I’ve been asked.”
Jana—– who is currently the only unmarried Duggar daughter over the age of 18— says she’s currently just “trying to make the most of these single years.”
“I think if I sit there and I’m like, ‘Oh no, I’m not married’ and just [get] all worried about it, it makes things way worse, so I just find the next thing to do and stay busy.”
Michelle agreed that Jana doesn’t “wait and sit around for anything,” calling her eldest daughter “an entrepreneur.” (As fans of the Duggar Family know, Jana takes care of a lot of stuff at the Duggar Compound—from throwing family parties, to redecorating, to building things and raising her younger siblings.)
“If it weren’t for her, a lot of things around here wouldn’t get done,” Michelle said. “She’s always looking for ways to serve and help wherever she can. She’s a ‘get it done’ kind of person.
“I’m amazed at all the things that she does,” Michelle added. “This girl’s incredible…there isn’t anything she can’t do…that’s the beautiful thing about Jana is that she just has that focus on serving others and working hard and having fun while she does it….”
Although ‘Counting On’ fans have never seen Jana publicly enter a courtship, she did reveal on an episode of the show that she has been asked out by and/or dated a few guys and it just didn’t work out.
“[My siblings] have been in relationships, courtships, whatever you want to label it as. Of course, it doesn’t always end in marriage and that’s OK,” she said. “You have to sometimes talk to someone, get to know someone and realize, you know what, it doesn’t have to end in marriage.”
During a sneak peek clip of the new season, Jana is once again peppered with questions by her hairstylist about her still-single status.
The new season of ‘Counting On’ premieres Tuesday, July 7 on TLC.
Click here to watch Jana and Michelle’s full interview.
(Photos: TLC)
22 Responses
Jana might be so brainwashed that she thinks it’s wrong to leave her family, LEAVE being literally because her parents would forever shun her. She might be able to still get together with her older siblings, but not the younger ones. That’s a terrible price to pay, and any parents who hold that over all their children aren’t living a so-called godly life. They made sure that no one would leave because without a proper education or hope of finding a job it would be impossible. I’d like to wipe that those fake smiley faces off Jim Bob and Michelle who are nothing more than prison wardens.
I hope for Jana’s sake that she finally finds the courage to do what’s best for her before she loses it. I’m sure that in those fundie families there’s a lot of hidden depression and certainly anxiety. Having had a couple of episodes of anxiety I know that it’s terrible and nothing that you can pray away. Those kids have to suffer in silence forever even if they finally get married and move out. Jim Bob has very long arms.
Notice how Michelle always talks about Jana serving others as if that is a good thing. I grew up in a large family and was taught to serve others. Being selfless and helpful was considered ideal. I grew up thinking my life didn’t count, and feeling like I wasn’t allowed to pursue my own interests. Jana probably has been led to believe that her life doesn’t count on her own without a husband, unless she is serving someone else. It’s psychologically damaging. Bless her heart!
Would it be frowned upon in their religion/cult if she were to move out and get her own place, with or without a friend? I’m guessing JimBob & Michelle would put the kibosh on that, as there would be nobody to homeschool the younger kids, take care of the house, and plan every outing the family partakes in. Poor girl, doesn’t even know there’s a whole world out there, outside of their fundie bubble, hopefully she gets to experience it.
Hi Jana Duggar,
My name is Ruth and I am so impressed by the way you’ve decided to carry out your single adulthood! You have become such an important Role Model to me. Thank you for your wonderful testimony and sharing your sweet personality with us. May God Greatly Bless you and your future husband (whoever that may be??). Have an awesome wk! Bye!
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Wow,Jana Duggar, my hats off to you for just gettin’ in there and making the best, most, and fullest of your singlehood! You Are a WONDERFUL ROLE MODEL, for an almost 20 year old like me, who just looks forward to getting married to Mr Right, although I’ve never met him. But I do pray and wait and hope, that someday that could happen. Scriptures say in the book of Psalms, “Wait on the Lord, be of good courage; and He shall strengthen thine heart.” ??????
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People should leave her alone I’m sure she will get married when she falls in love with the one she wants to spends the rest of herlife with .
If she is waiting to get married for a few more years, good for her. Maybe she doesn’t want to end up like her sisters, married to a man she barely knows and having multiple children.
I think there’s something between her and Jim Bob. I know it might sound out there but Jim Bob is a creep.
Is it necessary to put “still” in front of the word single every time? Almost makes it seem like a negative thing from the author’s POV.
She’s really experiencing things a lot differently than other 30 year olds. As Lawson Bates says about his future wife “your rose is wilting” (also, ew), I’m pretty sure that’s what other fundie families think about Jana (if they don’t have a stay-at-home-daughter, Sarah Maxwell is for example even older). And even older guys will always decide for a younger wife (just look at Jeremy and Jinger, he could actually be a great match for Jana age wise) because they can have more kids with her. It’s a sad situation all around, I hope she doesn’t have a breakdown because of it because her family doesn’t believe in that. Ugh, Susanna Keller (Anna’s very liberal sister), can you help her escape?! She can live with your family until she finds a place of her own.
Let her go her own way, geez not everybody follows the same lifescript. And before I get downvoted I mean men and women who choose not to get married or have children because they are expected to. Especially about children, if someone doesn’t want children – don’t pressure them or make them feel guilty. There are tons of parents who shouldn’t be. It’s a 100% or nothing, and yes some people fall immediately in love with their children but not everyone.
Taking care of all those siblings by force would make me not want kids either.
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Hey Janna it YOUR life’s u don’t have to be like your sister’s cause u are different from them so u 30 u should got get your own places so u did enough helping your mom and dad all the year’s so it your turn having your own life’s too so i love watching the show so u are very smart person taken care janna?
I feel like Jana is getting close to her breaking point. No doubt running away from a large family with a controlling father isnt easy. Shes raising her younger siblings and is close with her twin John David. If she really is gay and in love with her friend, that’s a lot to process in that conservative environment. Her mom even tracks all online and phone activity.
Save Jana. Get ahold of important documents (ssn, birth certificate) then go away. Get to Jill and Derricks house for a little help. Get a new phone and plan.
Still single Jana sounds like the only one that still thinks with her own brain, she better run before it’s too late!
I feel Jana is so busy raising her siblings and fixing stuff on the compound that she cant get away to find some peen to ride. Girl you are THIRTY AND FLIRTY! Get out of your parents home and let them raise all the brats they pumped out..maybe if your mom had to deal with all the kids she would keep her legs shut. I dont know how or why drs havent spayed her yet. Jana, you go get an apartment and do whatever the hell you want including one niht stands and explore maybe you are Bi.. how would you know under your parents thumb so long you do nothing but believe their version of religion they spewed at you all your life. Think for yourself.. go find your happiness off the compound. Your parents cult doesnt need to be yours.
Run, Jana. Before it’s too late
Girl, listen to me, drag a razor across that cooch. Put on a pair of leggings. Go to the nearest gym to your house. Get in the squat rack. Crank up some Deadmau5 “I Remember” on the headphones. Smile at a couple of jacked dudes on the bench. You will knock the dust off that ham wallet in no time. Your welcome
stay lit
That’s a lot of wooden spoon wackings and brainwash camp to get rid of your dirty mind for you Sir.