If you’ve been following the Teen Mom universe since 2009, you know that the story of Catelynn Lowell and Tyler Baltierra isn't just another reality TV plot. It’s heavy. It’s the only story on the show that started with a literal goodbye in a hospital room. For years, fans have tracked the messy, beautiful, and often heartbreaking "open" adoption of their first daughter, Carly. But recently, things took a turn that left the fandom divided and, frankly, pretty confused. It all centers around something surprisingly simple: a song.
The carly song teen mom drama isn't just about music. It’s a flashpoint for a decade of built-up tension between biological parents who live their lives on camera and adoptive parents who desperately want to stay off of it.
The Mystery of Carly's Song
Basically, during the season finale of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter in May 2025, a massive bombshell dropped. Dr. Drew Pinsky—the perennial mediator of the franchise—revealed that Carly, who is now 16, is a talented singer. She performs in church. Her adoptive parents, Brandon and Teresa Davis, actually recorded a song of her singing.
They wanted Catelynn and Tyler to hear it.
Sounds sweet, right? Well, not exactly. The catch was that Brandon and Teresa reportedly only wanted them to listen to the recording while the MTV cameras were rolling. For Catelynn and Tyler, this felt less like a gift and more like a trap. They’ve spent years asking for videos or audio of Carly, only to be told "no" for privacy reasons. To suddenly be offered a recording—but only if it could be used as a "moment" for television—felt, in Tyler’s words, "manipulative."
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Catelynn was visibly triggered. She’s been open about her struggles with mental health and the trauma of the adoption. "I want to listen to it in private," she told Dr. Drew. She didn't want her first time hearing her daughter’s voice in years to be served up as entertainment for millions.
Why the "Open" Adoption Slammed Shut
To understand why a three-minute song caused such a rift, you have to look at how much the relationship has decayed. Honestly, it’s been a slow-motion car crash.
Brandon and Teresa have always been the "private" ones. They aren't reality stars. They’re parents in North Carolina trying to raise a teenager. On the other side, you have Catelynn and Tyler, whose entire livelihood depends on sharing their truth. It’s a fundamental clash of lifestyles.
By early 2026, the situation has reached a breaking point. Here is the reality of where things stand:
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- The Block: Catelynn confirmed she is officially blocked. No texts, no calls.
- The Gift Ban: The Davises reportedly told the Baltierras to stop sending gifts, calling them "inappropriate" and "uncalled for."
- The "Five-Year" Myth: Many fans thought the adoption agreement only required contact for five years. Tyler actually posted the legal documents on Instagram to prove that wasn't true—the agreement requested photos and visits until she turns 18.
- The Communication Gap: They haven't had a face-to-face visit in over two years.
It’s a mess.
Catelynn has been vocal on TikTok lately, sharing that she’s only "functioning" because she holds onto the hope of 2027. That’s the year Carly turns 18. In the eyes of the law, she’ll be an adult. In the eyes of her biological parents, that's when the "gatekeepers" disappear.
The Ethics of the "On-Camera" Demand
Why would Brandon and Teresa only allow the song to be heard on camera? This is where the fan base gets heated. Some argue the Davises were trying to be "fair" to the show that pays Catelynn’s bills. Others think it was a way to ensure the narrative was controlled.
But for Catelynn and Tyler, it felt like a slap in the face. They eventually released a public letter explaining their side. They claimed they never chose not to listen to the song; they just wanted the link to hear it privately first. The Davises allegedly denied that request.
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The carly song teen mom incident highlights the power imbalance in adoption. Once the papers are signed, the birth parents have very few legal rights. They are essentially guests in the child’s life, invited at the discretion of the adoptive parents. When you add a multi-million dollar TV production into that mix, the "best interests of the child" get very blurry.
Looking Ahead to 2027
Tyler recently said he is "at peace" with the silence. He’s leaning into a more "spiritual" perspective, saying he’ll be "applauding from the sidelines" whether Carly reaches out or not. They’ve even set up a private email account for her. They write to it constantly, hoping that one day they can give her the password and she can read years' worth of letters.
It’s a heartbreaking waiting game.
If you’re a birth parent or someone involved in an open adoption, this story is a cautionary tale about boundaries. Experts like Dawn Baker (the original adoption counselor from the show) have often advised that "less is more" when tensions are high. Pushing too hard can lead to the very thing Catelynn and Tyler fear most: a permanent door-slam.
Actionable Insights for Following This Story:
- Understand the Legalities: In most states, "open adoption" agreements are not legally binding. They are "good faith" agreements. This is why Brandon and Teresa can legally block contact despite what was written in 2009.
- Respect the Privacy of the Minor: While Catelynn and Tyler are public figures, Carly is a private citizen. Avoid searching for "leaked" photos or personal details that the adoptive parents have worked for 16 years to protect.
- Wait for the 18th Birthday: The next major update in this saga likely won't happen until 2027. At that point, any contact will be Carly's choice alone.
- Support Birth Parent Resources: If this story resonates with your own experience, look into organizations like On Your Feet Foundation, which provides post-placement support for birth parents navigating these complex emotions.
The song might never be heard by the public, and maybe that’s for the best. Some things are too personal for a soundtrack.