You’ve probably seen them on Tuesday nights, the "world’s largest family of little people" navigating life in rural Georgia. Trent and Amber Johnston have been the faces of TLC’s 7 Little Johnstons for over a decade now. It’s easy to think you know them. We see the DIY projects, the parenting lectures, and the family vacations. But lately, things haven’t been all "reality TV" sunshine and roses.
Actually, if you’ve been following the 2025 and 2026 updates, you know the family is in a bit of a tailspin.
Between serious health scares and a family rift that’s gone from "uncomfortable" to "full-blown estrangement," the Johnstons are dealing with some heavy stuff. Honestly, the version of the family we saw in Season 1 is worlds away from where they are today.
The Health Scare Nobody Saw Coming
Early in 2025, a specific episode titled "Skating on Thin Ice" sent shockwaves through the fanbase. Trent Johnston, the guy everyone knows as "Mr. Fix-It," had to face a reality he couldn't just repair with a toolbox.
After experiencing some concerning symptoms, Trent went in for an MRI. The results? Pretty terrifying. Doctors found that the spacing between his brain and skull had reduced way faster than it should for a man in his late 40s. He basically told Amber that his brain was showing the wear and tear of an 80-year-old.
"It doesn't make me feel good to sit here and say... your brain's the size of an 80-year-old," Trent admitted during the emotional reveal.
The medical team even brought up the possibility of early-stage Multiple Sclerosis (MS). For a guy who pridefully worked as a grounds supervisor and later jumped into the car sales world, being told to "slow down" is a bitter pill. Amber, who’s usually the rock of the family, was visibly shaken. It’s a reminder that while they live their lives on camera, the physical toll of achondroplasia dwarfism is a very real, very private battle.
The Anna Problem: Why the Family Split
If you go on Reddit or TikTok right now, the #1 topic isn’t Trent’s health—it’s Anna.
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For months, rumors swirled about why Anna Johnston was missing from family photos and promotional clips for Season 16. By late 2025, the truth came out, and it wasn't pretty. Anna has effectively distanced herself from the show and, for a time, her parents.
The tension reached a breaking point during the holidays. While Trent and Amber Johnston were filming their annual Christmas card and setting up a live nativity scene, Anna was taking her own photos. Alone. Well, with her dogs.
The core of the conflict?
- Independence vs. Control: Anna bought her own home and started seeking a life outside the TLC spotlight.
- The "Respect" Factor: Many fans felt Amber and Trent were "moving the goalposts" on Anna, demanding respect while allegedly excluding her from major events, like birthday parties.
- Mental Health: Anna eventually admitted in the Season 16 finale that her mental health suffered while trying to maintain the relationship.
They finally had a "sit down" at a coffee shop in the December 2025 finale. It was tense. Anna snapped. Amber and Trent tried to explain their side. It wasn't a "happily ever after" moment; it was more of a "we’re trying not to hate each other" moment.
Career Shifts and the "Social Work" Pivot
Amber Johnston isn’t just a reality star or a former realtor. She’s been hitting the books. She recently finished her Master’s in Social Work (MSW) through LSU.
It’s an interesting move. On one hand, she’s clearly dedicated to helping people. On the other, the internet has been... let’s say vocal about the irony of Amber becoming a social worker while her own family dynamic is under such public scrutiny.
Trent’s career has been just as fluid. He spent years as the Director of Landscape Management at a local college (Clayton State) before following in his son Jonah's footsteps into car sales. It was a move prompted by his back issues—landscaping is brutal on the spine, especially for little people—but the transition hasn't been without its stresses.
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What it’s Like Raising Five Kids in the Spotlight
We can’t talk about Trent and Amber without mentioning the kids: Jonah, Elizabeth, Anna, Alex, and Emma.
Jonah and Elizabeth are the biological children. The pregnancy with Elizabeth was so dangerous—Amber’s hips were literally dislocating—that she had to have her tubes tied during the C-section. That’s what led them to adoption. They brought Anna from Russia, Alex from South Korea, and Emma from China.
It’s a beautiful story of building a family, but it’s also a complex one. When you adopt three children from different countries and then put them on television for ten years, there are bound to be identity and privacy issues.
The Newest Generation: Leighton Drew
Despite the drama, there is one major bright spot: Leighton Drew Bolden.
Elizabeth and her partner Brice Bolden welcomed their daughter in late 2023. Watching Trent and Amber step into their roles as "Honey" and "Big Daddy" (their grandparent names) has been a highlight for long-term viewers.
However, even the baby’s milestones have been touched by the family feud. There were episodes where Leighton’s celebrations felt "bittersweet" because of Anna’s absence. It’s a messy, real-life situation that no amount of TLC editing can fully hide.
Reality vs. Perception: The "Insufferable" Label
If you spend any time in the 7 Little Johnstons fandom, you'll see a lot of people calling the parents "controlling" or even "insufferable."
Is it fair?
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Maybe not entirely. Being a parent to five adults while trying to produce a hit TV show is a pressure cooker. Trent and Amber grew up in a world where little people had to fight for every ounce of respect. They were raised to be tough, not to have a "woe is me" attitude. Sometimes that toughness comes off as coldness on camera.
They’ve also been accused of "changing the narrative" regarding the situation with Anna. But in reality, every family has three sides to every story: yours, mine, and the truth.
The Future of 7 Little Johnstons
As we move through 2026, the big question is whether the show can survive the rift. Season 16 was arguably the most difficult one yet.
If you're looking for lessons to take away from the Johnstons’ journey, look at the health and boundaries aspects. Trent’s MRI scare is a massive wake-up call for anyone ignoring their body’s signals. And the Anna situation? It’s a masterclass in why even the tightest families need to allow for adult independence.
To stay updated on the Johnstons or handle similar family dynamics in your own life, here is what you can do:
- Watch the Season 16 finale on Max or Discovery+ to see the full, unedited coffee shop sit-down between Anna, Trent, and Amber.
- Prioritize preventative health scans. If you’re over 40 and experiencing "brain fog" or unusual physical fatigue, don't wait. Trent’s story shows how quickly a "work through the pain" mentality can backfire.
- Establish "Adult Boundaries." If you're a parent of adult children, take a page from the Johnstons' mistakes: sometimes "letting go" is the only way to keep them close.
The Johnston family might be "little," but their problems are as big as anyone else’s. Whether they can bridge the gap with Anna—and whether Trent’s health holds up—remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure: they aren't going to stop fighting for their family anytime soon.