If you’ve been following the Teen Mom universe for the last decade, you know the drill. Amber Portwood finds a "soulmate," things get intense fast, there’s a massive ring, and then—usually—it all ends in a flurry of court dates or Instagram Live rants. But the saga of the latest amber portwood boyfriend (and short-lived fiancé), Gary Wayt, was different. It wasn’t just a breakup; it was a multi-state missing persons case that felt more like a true crime podcast than a reality TV subplot.
Honestly, the whole thing was bizarre. One minute they’re celebrating an engagement in early 2024, and the next, Gary Wayt is driving 900 miles away to New Mexico just to get away from the cameras and the chaos. By the time we hit January 2026, the dust has settled, but the questions about why Amber’s relationships always hit a brick wall are louder than ever.
The Gary Wayt Disappearance: What Really Happened
Most people think the split happened because Gary simply "ghosted" her. That's part of it, sure. But the details that came out during the Teen Mom: The Next Chapter finale were way more specific. The couple was in North Carolina for Amber’s brother Shawn’s wedding in June 2024. According to reports from the Bryson City Police Department, Gary was last seen on June 9.
Amber was frantic. She went on YouTube streams crying, begging for help. For a few days, the internet actually feared the worst. Then, the plot twist: Gary popped up in Oklahoma and then New Mexico. He hadn't been kidnapped. He wasn't hurt. He had literally just driven halfway across the country without his phone to put distance between himself and Amber.
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Why the Engagement Crumbled
It wasn't just a random "run for the hills" moment. Several factors collided:
- The Family Factor: Amber admitted that Gary’s parents, who are Vietnamese, reportedly struggled with her public image and criminal history. That’s a lot of pressure for a new couple.
- The "Staged" Accusations: Later, Gary Wayt claimed the proposal itself was pushed by MTV production. He told fan accounts that while the relationship was real, he felt pressured to propose on camera to keep Amber happy.
- The Final Fight: Gary alleged that after the wedding, an argument fueled by alcohol turned toxic. He claimed Amber wouldn't give him back his keys or wallet, and he felt his only choice was to leave and be "missing" for his own peace of mind.
Who is the New Amber Portwood Boyfriend in 2026?
After the Gary Wayt disaster, Amber didn't stay single for long. By June 2025, she was already telling fans on TikTok Live that she had been seeing someone new for over a month. She’s been surprisingly low-key about this one, which is a massive shift for her.
Usually, we get a name, a face, and a professional photoshoot within weeks. This time? She’s keeping the details close to the vest. Maybe she’s finally listening to her costars Maci Bookout and Catelynn Lowell, who have spent years watching her rush into engagements. Or maybe, as her ex Gary Shirley pointed out on the show, she's realizing that men come and go, but the relationship with her daughter, Leah, is what actually needs the most work.
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The Pattern Fans Can't Ignore
You can't talk about an amber portwood boyfriend without looking at the history. It’s a heavy list. First, there was Gary Shirley (the original Gary), followed by the Matt Baier era—which was a rollercoaster of "is he or isn't he a con man?" questions. Then came Andrew Glennon, the father of her son James, which ended in a widely publicized domestic incident in 2019.
Every time, the cycle looks the same:
- Fast Launch: They meet (often online or on a set).
- The Engagement: A ring appears within months.
- The Crisis: A blowout fight or legal intervention.
- The Fallout: Public blame and a quick jump to the next partner.
The Gary Wayt situation was the first time a partner seemingly "opted out" by physically fleeing the state before a fight could escalate into a legal battle. It was a wake-up call for the viewers, and hopefully, for Amber too.
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What’s Next for Amber’s Love Life?
As of early 2026, Amber seems to be trying to navigate a "quieter" dating life. Her psychiatrist on the show has repeatedly urged her to find stability within herself before tying her identity to a partner. It’s a tough road. When you’ve spent your entire adult life—from age 17 to 35—on a reality show that rewards drama, "quiet" feels like failure.
But the real stakes aren't about who she's dating. They're about her kids. Leah is growing up and setting her own boundaries. James is in California with Andrew. The "boyfriend" slot in Amber's life has historically taken up so much oxygen that there wasn't enough left for her to be the mother she claims she wants to be.
Moving Forward: Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following Amber's journey, keep an eye on her social media transparency versus the "curated" version we see on MTV.
- Watch for the "Engagement" Speed: If a new guy is wearing a ring within three months, history is likely repeating itself.
- Check the Leah Updates: A healthy relationship for Amber usually correlates with her making actual, documented progress in seeing her daughter.
- Focus on the Mental Health Journey: Amber has been open about her Bipolar disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder. The most successful version of her is the one that prioritizes her therapy over her "soulmate" of the month.
The era of the "missing boyfriend" was a peak reality TV moment, but for the actual people involved, it was a breaking point. Whether the current amber portwood boyfriend lasts or becomes another footnote, the lesson remains: you can't run away from yourself, even if you drive all the way to New Mexico.