Beyond My Super Sweet 16 with Jazmin Knighton

Summary

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Barely Famous: "Beyond My Super Sweet 16 with Jazmin Knighton"

Host: Kail Lowry (Villain K)
Guest: Jazmin Knighton
Release Date: November 7, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode of Barely Famous features an in-depth conversation between host Kail Lowry and Jazmin Knighton, who appeared on My Super Sweet 16 nearly 20 years ago. The discussion dives beyond the glitzy reality TV surface, exploring Jazmin's journey through foster care, her adoption, family trauma, and how her past continues to shape her motherhood and perspective today. Kail and Jazmin share frank, emotionally charged reflections—comparing TV experiences, unpacking family complexities, calling out system failures, and even indulging in a little 2010s nostalgia.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Getting Cast on "My Super Sweet 16"

• Jazmin’s Entry (01:30): Her (adoptive) mother applied on her behalf secretly after they watched the first season; Jazmin had never had a real birthday party before.
  • Quote: “My mom, like, secretly applied for me and… she let me listen to a voicemail... MTV producers saying they were interested." – Jazmin (01:30)
• MTV filmed a trial weekend: mostly following Jazmin around, seeing her interactions.
  • Quote: “They liked me and we kind of went from there.” – Jazmin (01:27)
• Adoption Backstory (02:08):
  • Her mother is her adoptive mom; Jazmin was recently adopted when the show filmed.
  • Adoption was via adoption.org; her profile was like “a little paragraph by my picture and a little button to inquire.” (03:57)
  • Quote: “I definitely believe it's, like, legal human trafficking.” – Jazmin (03:49)

2. Child Welfare & Family Separation

• Jazmin and all her siblings were taken into foster care at the same time, then separated.
• Quote: “We were all taken at the same time, and then we were separated.” – Jazmin (06:02)
• Maintained sporadic visits; currently only close to one brother, totally estranged from her biological mother, who remains “toxic.”
• Adoptive parents were supportive of her seeking contact with her biological family after the show aired.

3. Early Reality TV & Portrayal

• Social media meanness existed even pre-Instagram; Jazmin read harsh comments on MTV’s website (08:06).
• Both Kail and Jazmin describe the artificial, rehearsed nature of show narration and editing:
  • Quote: “One of the opening scenes, I was like, ‘I was raised in foster care. Now I'm known as the rich girl from Erie.’ Is that true? No, I wasn't known as the rich girl.” – Jazmin (08:56)
• Editing twisted what she said for dramatic, bratty effect.
• 5-6 months off-and-on filming (“off and on… before my birthday…went to Mexico… was like a couple months" - 09:38)
• No payment for appearing, unlike Kail’s 16 and Pregnant ($5k "before taxes"). For Jazmin, it was just for the experience.

4. Adoption, Sibling Resentment & Family Dynamics

• Jazmin feels her biological siblings still resent her because she was adopted into a good family:
  • Quote: “They treat me like I'm just some, like, strong girl that can just be a punching bag…” – Jazmin (13:57)
• Maintains a good but distant relationship with her adoptive family, visiting a couple times yearly.
• Deep bond with one foster mom (who acts as a grandparent to her children).

5. Growing Up in the System: Trauma & Survival

• Details of Foster Care:
  • Multiple homes, including a deeply restrictive “basement room” with motion detectors; evidence of sexual abuse by foster family’s biological son (19:47–20:55).
• Critiques the system for how kids are removed—often sudden, traumatizing, and without gradual transition:
  • Quote: “How kids are taken…it's always so traumatizing...they're in mid hug with their mom and they're being pried away” (21:06)
  • Removed from school, given a duffel bag with bare essentials. (21:56)
• Wishes the state would provide family support (like cleaning help, parenting classes) before removal in non-severe cases.

6. Motherhood After Trauma

• Her childhood shaped her as a hyper-protective mom:
  • Quote: “I'm super protective. First of all, I don't let my kids sleep anywhere…my kids don't have the trauma that I dealt with, so she just thinks I'm crazy and overprotective.” – Jazmin (16:26, 17:00)
• She pieces together the "best" and "never again" from her ten foster homes.

7. Cycle-breaking, Grief, and Boundaries

• Open about “breaking the cycle” of generational trauma; only she and one brother really managed to do so—others struggled, with some going down “the same path" as their parents.
• Describes estrangement, boundary setting with biological parents, and complicated grief after her father's death.
  • Quote: "I wish I’d given him more grace. For sure.” (34:49)
• Talks about wishing for a mother figure, but feels “used to” not having one: “I’m used to not really having…like a mother figure.” (27:06)

8. Addiction & Empathy

• Jazmin has little empathy for addicted parents:
  • Quote: “If you're a parent and you give birth…whatever you're doing just has to stop.” (48:17)
• Both women are wary of addiction, avoiding painkillers and limiting alcohol.
• Addiction present in both her biological and adoptive families.

9. Sibling Separation & Schemes to Escape

• Shared a story of intentionally sabotaging a foster placement to force a move, but ended up separated from her sister (35:51).
• Siblings now lead diverging lives—some breaking cycles, others repeating family history.

10. Reality TV, Editing, and Legacy

• Frustration that people still judge her based on 22 minutes of edited TV, not the real story:
  • Quote: "They filmed over 120 hours and they squeeze it into 22 minutes…they still think they know me…based off those 22 minutes." (57:31)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Adoption Listings:

  • “I definitely believe it’s, like, legal human trafficking.” – Jazmin (03:49)

• On TV Editing:

  • “...if I would just say something funny or that sounded bratty to them, they would have me, like, resay it, but, like, more obnoxiously.” – Jazmin (08:56)

• On Family Boundaries:

  • “She’s just so toxic where I just don’t even want her in my life or my kid’s life.” – Jazmin (27:55)

• On Generational Patterns:

  • “People like me and you learn what not to do versus going down a similar path.” – Kail (29:53)
  • “I should have been, like, in jail with, like, 1000%, probably addiction issues.” – Jazmin (30:07)

• Reflecting on the Past:

  • “I’m going to get everything I, like, wished for. Like, I always wanted, like, a family and… I have everything, like, now that I’ve wished for at that time.” – Jazmin (57:15)

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Timestamps: Important Segments

• [01:30] – Jazmin recounts how her mom got her onto My Super Sweet 16
• [03:49] – Harsh take on adoption listings as “legal human trafficking”
• [06:02–07:42] – Sibling separation, visits, and finding family after TV exposure
• [08:56–09:53] – TV editing manipulations: how “the rich girl from Erie” label was fabricated
• [13:57] – On sibling resentment because of adoption
• [16:18] – How being in care impacts Jazmin’s motherhood approach
• [19:47–20:55] – Foster care abuses and silenced experiences
• [21:06–21:56] – Critiquing the child welfare removal process
• [27:06–28:28] – Coping with lack of maternal figure; connecting with foster and adoptive family as grandma figures
• [34:49] – Grieving her father’s death, reflecting on holding grudges
• [41:43–42:24] – Siblings now: different upbringings, disconnected lives
• [48:17] – On empathy for parents with addiction
• [57:31] – On being unfairly judged by a 22-minute TV edit

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Nostalgia & Lighthearted Moments

• 2010s Trends: Favorite party themes, cringe-inducing parent dances, and first cars (51:02–56:37)
• TV & Tech Throwbacks: AIM vs. BBM, gaucho pants, MySpace drama, T9 texting heartbreaks
• Rapid-fire Q&A: Who wasn’t invited to her Sweet 16, fashion trend resurrections, and memories of viral MTV shows (53:14–55:08)

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Conclusion

Jazmin’s story is one of survival, deep wounds, and profound resilience. Both host and guest lay bare the unintended harms—and outright traumas—of the foster care/adoption system, the performative pressures of early reality TV, and the lifelong impact of childhood instability. Despite—and because of—her tumultuous upbringing, Jazmin is determined to give her children the stability she always craved.

“You put your kids first, like, before anything.” – Jazmin (30:00)

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Find Jazmin online:

• [@crazybeautiful on all platforms] (57:51)

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Listen to full episodes every Friday on PodcastOne.

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Transcript

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[Villain K]

Welcome to the Shit show.

[Co-host/Announcer]

Things are going to get weird.

[Villain K]

It's your fave Villain K and you're listening to Barely Fam. Hey, Happy Friday. I'm sitting with my friend Jasmine, who was on my super sweet 1620 years ago. Welcome to the show.

[Jasmine]

Thank you.

[Villain K]

So Your show aired 20 years ago, and we need to backtrack because I've learned so much about you over the weekend, and I feel like the people watching your show had no idea any of your backstory, which I think is super fascinating. And so first, talk about how you got on your my super sweet 16.

[Jasmine]

So I was about 15, and my mom and I used to watch, like, the first season, and I just made, like, a comment one time, like, oh, my God, it'd be so cool to be on that show. And I never really had, like, a birthday party before, like, my whole life. So my mom, like, secretly applied for me, and the one day she, like, picked me up from school and she let me listen to a voicemail. And it was one of the MTV producers saying that they were interested in my story story, and they wanted to come, like, do like, a trial period, like, filming me for the weekend. And so I was, like, freaking out. And then they came and they liked me and we kind of went from there.

[Villain K]

But when you say your mom, you.

[Jasmine]

Mean you're my adopted mom. Yeah.

[Villain K]

So she applied you for the show?

[Jasmine]

Yes.

[Villain K]

During the filming process that. It was like a trial. What did you have to film during that time?

[Jasmine]

It was just them following me around from what I remember, like, just the weekend and, like, just seeing how I was on camera or, like, around my friends. And.

[Villain K]

Was it weird being on camera?

[Jasmine]

It was. It was. But I just remember, like, I was telling my husband, I'm. I remember that time in my life being like, I was on such a high. Like, I was just freshly adopted. It was like a Whole different lifestyle. Then I had cameras in my face, so I was just kind of, like, going with the flow. I remember it being, like, exciting for me more than, like, nerve wracking.

[Villain K]

I had the complete opposite experience.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

So I went. My first day of filming was at my high school, and I had just transferred from Whitehall to Nazareth. And it was. First of all, I was the new girl and I was pregnant, so it was a little rough, and so it was just super intimidating. But you had just total opposite.

[Jasmine]

Well, I had, like. I think I was in 10th grade at the time, so, like, the juniors and seniors hated me, like, for sure I was the new girl that was being filmed. And. Yeah.

[Villain K]

And so you had only just gotten adopted, like, the year prior?

[Jasmine]

Technically, I was only adopted for, like, a few months at that time because I lived with them for, like, six months before the adoption went through.

[Villain K]

So was it. Were they your, like, an. Were they.

[Jasmine]

No, they found me online on, like, adoption.org.

[Villain K]

Okay, wait, so I have a note about that.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

And it says your social worker took you to JCPenney for, like, a photo shoot, and you sort of, like, made the connection between that and what child? What was it? Human trafficking? Yeah. Do you still feel that way?

[Jasmine]

Yeah, I definitely believe it's, like, legal human trafficking.

[Villain K]

It's. Were anybody else getting profiles done for them for their adoption?

[Jasmine]

Yeah. If you go on the website, there's literally thousands and thousands and thousands of kids, all different, like, age groups. And yeah, I just had, like, a little paragraph by my picture and a little button to inquire to my social worker, and that's how they found me.

[Villain K]

And so did you ever talk to them about what stuck out to them about you versus other kids or younger kids?

[Jasmine]

Yeah, actually, my mom just kind of explained this to me the other day. She said they were originally looking for, like, a young boy. And then my mom just started looking at, like, all the teenage pictures, and she just started thinking, like, wow, these older kids have, like, no hope. Like, they're most likely going to age out in the system. And she said it was between me and, like, another teen girl. And, like, every picture that she showed my dad, he would be like, no, we're not doing diapers, or, no, they're too young. And then I guess between me and the other girl, my dad just kind of, like, looked at them and like, set our pictures aside and she said, somehow they just ended up going with me.

[Villain K]

Did you feel instantly connected when you met them?

[Jasmine]

Yeah, they, like, came. They flew from Erie, which was like, six Hours away from where I was living. And I met them at the courthouse, and it was, like, instant, like, huge hug. I remember, like, how good my mom smelled. I don't know why that stands out to me. And then they spent the weekend with me and, like, took me shopping, and they didn't really tell me, like, how successful they were or anything. And I went to their house about three weeks later, and that's when I was like, oh, this is where I'm going to be living. Like, they didn't mention anything. They just, you know, they were acting like normal people. Yeah.

[Villain K]

And then you have biological siblings.

[Jasmine]

Yes.

[Villain K]

Was there any interest in your adoptive parents adopting any of your biological siblings?

[Jasmine]

No. My younger sister was, I believe, adopted at the time, and my older brothers, they weren't. I. I don't know.

[Villain K]

I just.

[Jasmine]

I think they just were interested in me.

[Villain K]

Were you all in the system at the same time, or were all of you in the system?

[Jasmine]

Yeah, we were all taken at the same time, and then we were separated. My older brother ended up being taken out by his biological dad. He has a different dad. My other brother was just aged out in the system. My other brother was in a group home. And then my younger sister was adopted by a horrible family.

[Villain K]

So when you say separated, does that mean that you had no contact with them at all?

[Jasmine]

We had visits. So I remember, like, they took us to the agency. They, one by one, like, found our homes that day, and we had, like, I think it was weekly visits with them. And then my. My mom and my dad, once he was out of jail. Yeah, we had weekly visits. And sometimes our mom would show up to them, sometimes she wouldn't.

[Villain K]

And do you have a relationship with any of them today?

[Jasmine]

My siblings or anybody? My sibling, my, like, one brother. I'm really close with my biological mom. Absolutely not. She's toxic. She's still an alcoholic. I just had to block her a few months ago because my biological dad died, and she just was, like, texting me all this evil stuff about it. So. Yeah.

[Villain K]

When you went with your adoptive family, were they supportive about keeping any relationships with your biological family?

[Jasmine]

Yeah, actually, like, shortly after my show aired, my older brother somehow got a hold of me or, like, found me on MySpace or something, and my. My adopted parents flew me down to the area, and that's when I saw, like, my mom and dad for the first time after, like, seven years of not seeing them.

[Villain K]

It's so interesting to me because I. When I was on TV, I think that's when Instagram started, like, 2010, 2011. And so when we were at my house and we were talking about social media and you were like, people were so mean to you. I thought the, like, the rise of social media, the peak of social media was like, 2010, 2011. Yeah, but you were on TV before that.

[Jasmine]

Yeah, I remember. Which I shouldn't have. I went on, like, the MTV website.

[Villain K]

Yeah.

[Jasmine]

And, like, you can see, like, comments on there. And I should have never done that.

[Villain K]

No, it's awful.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

I won't go on Reddit. That's like, my one platform that I will never go on. I don't know if you've ever heard of Reddit. Yeah, it's horrible. Yeah.

[Jasmine]

The things people say are like, it's crazy.

[Villain K]

Okay, so. But let's go back to filming your show, and I want to hear about your experience filming it. Did they write your narration? Like, you know how you do, like, a voiceover on the episodes? Yeah, mine were always written for me and I wasn't allowed to change any of the details unless I, like, put up a huge fight about, like, details that were in the episode. So was that written for you?

[Jasmine]

I don't remember reading from anything, but it was, like, so rehearsed. Like, before I started talking, like, I. I think one of the opening scenes, I was like, I was raised in foster care. Now I'm known as the rich girl from Erie.

[Villain K]

Is that true?

[Jasmine]

No, I wasn't known as the rich girl from Erie. Nobody even knew me. I just moved there. But it was, like, so stupid. And then. Or, like, if I would just say something being funny or that sounded bratty to them, they would have me, like, resay it, but, like, more obnoxiously.

[Villain K]

But did you know that was what was going on at the time? So I feel like I didn't, like, I would just do what they told me to do. I didn't really question it.

[Jasmine]

I didn't realize how bad, like, the editing would be. Like, they had all these. And then some of my sentences just sounded, like, chopped and screwed and like.

[Co-host/Announcer]

Yeah.

[Jasmine]

I couldn't believe, like, what they did to my sentences because some of them are, like, really, really edited fragments. Yeah.

[Villain K]

Speaking fragments.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

How long was the filming process?

[Jasmine]

I think it was, like, five, six months.

[Villain K]

Are you kidding?

[Jasmine]

Like, off and on. Because they started filming probably, like, two months before my birthday. And then I remember they went to Mexico with me like, the end of August, maybe even into September. But, yeah, it was like, a couple.

[Villain K]

Months before your parents just, like, signed off on this and were fine with it.

[Jasmine]

They were until like my show was aired and they like hated it. I remember they wouldn't let me go to the reunion or they asked me to be on the Exiled show where they like send the kids away and they wouldn't let me be on that either.

[Villain K]

Would you have wanted to do it?

[Jasmine]

After I saw the show Exiled, I was like, I'm glad I didn't.

[Villain K]

I don't remember that.

[Jasmine]

They like sent them to like third world countries and they like lived in caves and I don't do bugs.

[Villain K]

Some would say I belong in a cave. So wait, I feel like I would do that. It's like the teen version of like Survivor or like naked and Afraid.

[Jasmine]

Yeah, but you have to like sleep in cots like in these homes. And I. The bugs. I think I would have died.

[Villain K]

I don't know. I feel like I would have done it. Could you imagine, like Teen mom boot camp? I would have done it. I would have been like fudge. Yeah.

[Jasmine]

I think nighttime. I would just have freaked out.

[Villain K]

Okay.

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[Villain K]

Would you have changed anything from filming your episode? Like, looking back, would you have done anything different?

[Jasmine]

My hair, first of all, that was.

[Villain K]

The time that wasn't your fault. Like, do you remember the straight bangs and then, like, curls?

[Jasmine]

I had like a razor cut. I was. I did the ash.

[Villain K]

Let me look this up. Hold on. Can someone pull up a picture of her?

[Jasmine]

Oh, my God. I had the worst razor cut.

[Villain K]

Because, Ashley, what is a razor cut?

[Jasmine]

Just razored the crap.

[Villain K]

Like an emo situation. Yeah.

[Jasmine]

It was so ugly.

[Villain K]

It was with the times, though.

[Jasmine]

Yeah. But I had a big head already, so I don't know why I thought that haircut would look good on me.

[Villain K]

Inquiring minds would like to know, did you get paid for my super sweet 16?

[Jasmine]

No.

[Villain K]

Did your parents?

[Jasmine]

Not that I know of.

[Villain K]

Are you kidding me?

[Jasmine]

No. They just watched my parents spend the money, I guess. I wish.

[Villain K]

I got $5,000 before taxes for my episode of 16 and Pregnant.

[Jasmine]

Oh, wow.

[Villain K]

Yeah, I think. What's that after taxes? Like, 4,000. Okay, so you didn't get paid for my super sweet 16. What made you want to do it then? Just to be on it.

[Jasmine]

I think it was just like. To have the experience.

[Villain K]

Yeah.

[Jasmine]

Because it was still like a new show at the time. I think they did a bunch of seasons after me and it kind of got played out after a while. Yeah, I was still on it when it was cool.

[Villain K]

You were talking to me about how there was a little bit of resentment between you and one or more of your siblings for being adopted. Do you still feel like that's true?

[Jasmine]

With my biological siblings, yes, because I have some adoptive siblings as well. But yeah, I still feel like that. They treat me like I'm just some, like, strong girl that can just be a pun, a punching bag to them. I don't know.

[Villain K]

Because they're resentful that you were adopted?

[Jasmine]

I. I think so. Like, by a good family, as they had to struggle probably longer than I did.

[Villain K]

I do think that they might not even realize where the resentment is coming from, but I feel like I would feel that way too. Like, why me or why her?

[Jasmine]

You know what I mean?

[Villain K]

If you put yourself, like, in their Shoes. But also, it wasn't your fault.

[Jasmine]

I know. I was like. I remember praying and praying like every night in foster care for, like, a good family to find me.

[Villain K]

And they did.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

So what is your relationship like today with your family, with your adoptive family?

[Jasmine]

Great. I mean, it's. It's good. They live six hours away, so I don't really, like, tell them too much about my day to day life.

[Villain K]

Yeah.

[Jasmine]

But they check in. We go to visit like two times a year for a couple days at a time.

[Villain K]

But what made you move back to the Lehigh Valley after you lived in Erie?

[Jasmine]

Well, I only lived in Erie for like, three, four years, and then I moved to the Lehigh Valley when I was 18 for cosmetology school. And. Yeah. And then I met my now husband when I was 18, but.

[Villain K]

So can you tell me how you know my mom?

[Jasmine]

She was in my cosmetology class, but she was going for her teacher's license, so I think her program was like three months long. But she was in our class and would, like, teach it like, once a week, but she wasn't. Yeah, like, she would get graded for, like, teaching the class.

[Villain K]

How did she do?

[Jasmine]

I. I don't know. I remember we hated when she had to do it. Here goes Ms. Susie acting like she knows what she's talking about.

[Villain K]

Fake it till you make it, I guess. But I was mortified.

[Jasmine]

She wasn't like, what they showed on. On your show, like, at school.

[Villain K]

Of course she wasn't.

[Jasmine]

Yeah. Unless she was, like, low key doing stuff. I don't know.

[Villain K]

Oh, yeah, for sure.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

To get out of bed always. But I think you saw her. The last time I saw her would have been before you saw her. So you. You would have been the last person to see her, like, in real time right now, possibly. That's so crazy. Okay, so today you're married, you have three kids and one on the way.

[Jasmine]

Yes.

[Villain K]

How do you think your childhood and going from foster care and in this system to adoption has shaped your motherhood today?

[Jasmine]

I feel like I took pieces of parenting from, like, each of my foster homes because I was in, like, 10 different homes. There's things that I would never do to my kids or, you know, there's some parts that I did. I don't know. I just. I'm super protective. First of all, I don't let my kids sleep anywhere or like, I'm just really, really. Even on the way here, I was arguing with my teenage daughter because she wanted to go to a friend's house. I Don't know. I'm like, no, you're not hanging out with her and her dad.

[Villain K]

Well, you sort of have, like, insight on what goes on in other people's homes that doesn't get talked about.

[Jasmine]

Yeah. And my kids don't have the trauma that I dealt with, so she just thinks I'm crazy and overprotective for no reason.

[Co-host/Announcer]

Right.

[Jasmine]

The world is crazy.

[Villain K]

Were there any foster families that you had growing up you thought you wanted to adopt you?

[Jasmine]

Yeah, actually, my one. My one foster mom. I'm super close with her still to this day. Like, she has my little baby right now. My kids love her. They look at her as, like, a grandmother. But, yeah, she just wasn't ready to adopt at the time. But she was one. And then there was, like, another Dominican family that I was hoping for, too.

[Villain K]

But it just didn't work out.

[Jasmine]

No.

[Villain K]

Do you ever hold resentment towards them at all?

[Jasmine]

No. I think it was, like, meant to play out how it did.

[Villain K]

Yeah.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

I also was in the system as a small child, but I don't have a whole lot of memory before 10, so it's, like, hard for me to even put myself there. Definitely was doing things I shouldn't have been doing because I was sort of just in and out of homes. Family, did you ever go to family? Did they ever, like, put you in the care of, like, extended family?

[Jasmine]

No. I know there was, like, an aunt that wanted to get me, but she's. It's like jumping through hoops. If you are trying to get, like, a family member out of foster care, they'd rather give the kids to, like, strangers in Delaware.

[Villain K]

It's the opposite, really. Try to go to all biological family first, and then.

[Jasmine]

Yeah, Pennsylvania.

[Villain K]

It's weird. When you first got with your husband, how did you explain your trauma to him?

[Jasmine]

I don't know if I told him things right away, but definitely, like, little by little, he. He knows, like, everything I've been through. I mean, as far as I can, like, explain, because my flashbacks and memories, I can only explain so much. And there's things I don't want to, like, give super detail, like.

[Villain K]

Yeah. You know, because I would imagine it's, like, hard if you remember. I don't know if this has ever happened to you, but we'll be. Kristen and I will be on a work trip and something will happen. Like, I told her about someone pulling a knife on at school, and it was like, oh, I never told you that. And it was just something triggered me for me to say it. And I Just like, forgot that I, like, didn't ever talk about it. And so I would imagine the same would happen to you. And how long have you all been together? 15 years.

[Jasmine]

Like, 18.

[Villain K]

18 years. So, like, I'm sure that happens to you. And he's probably like, what the.

[Jasmine]

Yeah, it'll be like random smells or like, my breath will taste weird. It's like, weird stuff.

[Villain K]

Yeah, I always feel that way when I go back home. It's like the air feels different.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

I don't know how to explain it, like, when you drive back into the town or whatever, but. Okay, can we talk about the. How you set go back to human trafficking. Do you feel like some of the foster homes were like, dorm rooms?

[Jasmine]

Yeah, we. She crammed, like, me and two other girls in a small basement room. This was like, right before I got adopted. I was living in this home for like two and a half years. And I only stayed that long because I really liked my group of friends at that time, school. But yeah, we were crammed in a basement room. There was a motion detector outside of our room, and if we acted up, we would only be allowed, like, to the first level. When they, like, undid the motion detector, they would, like, call down for meals or. Yeah, we just like, lived in the basement all the time.

[Villain K]

What if you didn't get along with one of the girls?

[Jasmine]

Well, there it did happen. Like, there was a few girls that were in and out, and I ran away with one of them for a few days. The foster sister I had before I got adopted, she. Me and her were really, really close. We still are to this day. But yeah, that foster home they had, their biological son used to come and sneak down into my room and try to do stuff. When you're going through it, you just think it has to be, like, secretive and. I don't know. I never even told, like, the foster mom what her son was doing to me.

[Villain K]

So she doesn't know even now?

[Jasmine]

I don't think so.

[Villain K]

What do you think could change or be improved in the system, in the foster care system specifically?

[Jasmine]

I think my number one thing that comes to mind when I am asked that question is how kids are taken. Like, it's always so traumatizing. Like they're in mid hug with their mom and they're like, being pried away. And there's like. I think there's so many situations where kids don't have to be taken right away. Where, like, if there's a call and the mom's house is dirty and it's like, something she can fix or, like, have a parenting class or two and, like, you know, hire a cleaning lady for the mom or, like, just teach her. Because there's some moms that really just don't know what, especially if they're a new mom. They don't know how to balance everything. But there's so many situations where they could help the mom first. Unless they're, like, being severely abused. Like, that's a different story. But I just feel like they take kids so quickly, and then it's always, like, so traumatizing.

[Villain K]

Like, there's no gradual transition or you.

[Jasmine]

They don't want, like, the parent care. Like, slowly explain to the kid what's going on. I was taken right from school. I was not allowed to get any of my clothes or toys. They just were like, the hell with that. And they gave me a duffel bag at the agency with, like, a stuffed animal and toothbrush in it, and they're like, this is your new belongings.

[Villain K]

How old were you?

[Jasmine]

I was 8 the second time I was in foster care. I was in foster care when I was a toddler as well.

[Villain K]

But you were able to go back to your parents?

[Jasmine]

Yeah, somehow my mom. My dad was always, like, kind of in and out of jail. My biological dad. But my mom's the one. Like, once we got back with her, I don't even know how she got us back, because she had an open case with children and youth, like, I think starting in 1988. And I was born in 89. So they were, like, watching her parenting for a while. Somehow she got us back in, like, 93 for five years. And we endured, like, so much abuse with them.

[Villain K]

With her?

[Jasmine]

Yeah. And her boyfriend.

[Villain K]

Oh, wow.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Co-host/Announcer]

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[Villain K]

With.

[Co-host/Announcer]

Shopify on your side, Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at shopify.com barely famous go to shopify.com barely famous shopify.com barely famous this episode is sponsored by Better Help. As seasons change and days grow darker sooner, it can be a tough time for so many people this November, Better Help is encouraging everyone to reach out, check on your friends, reconnect with loved ones and remind people in your life that you're there. Just as it can take a little courage to send that message or grab coffee with someone you haven't seen in a while, reaching out for therapy can feel a little bit difficult too, but it is worth it and it almost always leaves people wondering why didn't they do this sooner? BetterHelp has quality therapists and they work according to a strict code of conduct and are fully licensed in the US. They have a therapist match commitment which means that BetterHelp does the initial matching work for you so you can focus on your therapy goals. A short questionnaire helps you identify the needs and preferences and they have 12 plus years of experience and industry leading match fulfillment rate, which means they typically get it right the first time. But if you're not happy with your match, you can switch therapists at any time for no additional cost and you guys can check their client reviews. With over 30,000 therapists, Better BetterHelp is one of the world's largest online therapy platforms, having served over 5 million people globally. And it works. They have an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 for a live session based on over 1.7 million client reviews this month. Don't wait to reach out. Whether you're checking in on a friend or reaching out to a therapist yourself, Better Help makes it easier to take that first step.

[Villain K]

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[Co-host/Announcer]

Month at betterhelp.com barely. That's betterhelp h E-L-P.com barely.

[Villain K]

I remember my grandparents or somebody telling me about my mom. Her family had pull in the system like in Pennsylvania, also like Northeast like Lake Wallen, Paul, Pax, Grant area and the judge said that if my mom went to rehab, she could keep custody. And so that was literally the deciding factor was, like, all you have to do is go to rehab, and then when you're out, you can have custody. So it's just very, like. And then whatever happens after that is like they were just going to turn a blind eye. So I think it's really weird. I think I would have been better off if I had just been taken and done. Yeah. But it's interesting that you say that.

[Jasmine]

You know, I mean, I definitely should have been taken from my mom. Like, even in, like, my paperwork, it said, like, she was failing drug tests for cocaine, but she was denying she was doing cocaine. And, like, there was poor hygiene. There was, like, medical neglect, like, all types of neglect and abuse she was putting us through. So obviously, at the time, I'm sad I was being taken from my mom, mostly my siblings, because my. Me and my siblings were so close. But as an adult, I'm so glad I was taken. So I was definitely in situation where I should have been taken and never given back.

[Villain K]

But do you ever feel like now that you have a family of your own that you, like, wish that you had a mom to share this experience with or, like, go to?

[Jasmine]

Sometimes when I'm just, like, used to it, Like, I'm. I don't know. I'm used to not really having. I'm really, really close with my one foster mom. Like, probably closer than I am to my adoptive mom. I just talk to my foster mom every single day. I'm just used to not having, like. Like a mother figure.

[Villain K]

Just second nature for you.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

I still get. I feel weird sometimes.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

When I. Because my kids ask what, like, even Creed this morning was like, so your mom was on drugs?

[Jasmine]

No filter.

[Villain K]

Just so we didn't. So she didn't care about you, and it's just right in your face because there's. They're curious and, like, I think naturally, like, when I was having, like, the twins and, like, I don't know. I want. I want my mom. And it's weird because I never had a relationship with her growing up either. So it's like I never had her. And then as an adult, I still miss her. And so I don't know. I didn't know if you shared that same. I don't know.

[Jasmine]

I just wish she was, like, different, like, even being pregnant, like, I never told her. I'm sure she heard from my siblings, but she's just so toxic where I just don't even want her in my life or my kid's. Life.

[Villain K]

Yeah. Do your kids call your adoptive mom, like, grandma or anything?

[Jasmine]

They call her Mimi.

[Villain K]

Yeah.

[Jasmine]

And then. But we don't see her that often, so, like, even my youngest daughter doesn't really know my adoptive parents yet because we haven't been up there that much since she was born. They call my foster mom Nene because her name is Nikki.

[Villain K]

Yeah.

[Jasmine]

But, Yeah, I don't know. They have that at least. And then my. My husband's grandmother is around, too. She's a sweetheart. So they have, like, grandmother figures.

[Villain K]

Yeah. So I feel like that's. So I. My grandparents took me in a lot when I was a kid, and so, like, having grandparents figures, I feel like, is so important just to have.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

I don't know in your childhood and stuff.

[Jasmine]

Yeah. But if it's as toxic as, like, my biological mom, it's not even worth it because as much as she's hurt me, like, I have to protect my kids.

[Villain K]

Yeah. So. But you said you're close with one of your biological brothers. Does he have kids and do you get to raise the kids together?

[Jasmine]

He does have a kid, but he lives, like, in New York, so he's, like, distant.

[Villain K]

Well, it.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

Isn't so weird how things play out when we're adults.

[Jasmine]

I know my oldest brother has two kids, and he takes care of his, like, really well. He's been married, so me and that one brother broke the cycle. My younger sister had two kids that were adopted because she's just like my biological mom.

[Villain K]

But how did you figure out how a family works? And, like, did you always want to get married and have a family and.

[Jasmine]

Be like, that was always my dream. I felt like I. From just being raised in foster, I always knew what I wanted. Like, I remember being young and being like, I want to be a young mom. I know how to do this. Like, you know, I've been through so much. I'm like, I don't know how all these moms, like, fail. I, Like, I'm ready to do the thing.

[Villain K]

Well, I think people like me and you learn what not to do versus going down the similar path or doing the same thing. And you learned what not to do.

[Jasmine]

Yeah. You put your kids first, like, before anything.

[Villain K]

But so often I think that people follow in the same footsteps as.

[Jasmine]

Oh, yeah, for sure. Like, I should have been, like, in jail with, like, 1,000%, probably addiction issues.

[Villain K]

I always wonder if MTV didn't come into my life, like, where would I be? I know that it's not. Maybe not hold the same weight for you? Because it was, like, one show. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But I just don't know. Like, would I have done the same thing as my mom? So, what, you got adopted when you. What, like, you said, like, a. A year before you went on the show.

[Jasmine]

I moved in with them like, a year before the show, and then the adoption was, like, a couple months.

[Villain K]

So how long after the adoption did you reconnect with your biological family?

[Jasmine]

I think I was still 16. Like, I think it was shortly after my episode aired. I. My older brother got a hold of me somehow. I forget. I think it was through MySpace.

[Villain K]

Were you open to reconnecting with him or were you like, I'm living this new life and I really don't want to.

[Jasmine]

No, I wanted to. Like, I missed them at that point. Like, I knew I was good. I had a new family, so I felt safe going to visit them because I knew I was going back with my parents. But, yeah, we, like, met them. They were in this, like, small apartment, and it was great. Like, I have pictures from that first time.

[Villain K]

Was it everybody together or just your.

[Jasmine]

It was just my. It was my mom and my dad. I forget if my oldest brother was there, honestly, or if I saw him, like, the next day, but it was. I remember my mom and dad that day.

[Villain K]

Your biological parents?

[Jasmine]

Yes.

[Villain K]

And your. Did your adoptive parents go with or.

[Jasmine]

No.

[Villain K]

And so did they meet?

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

What was that like?

[Jasmine]

It was fine. I think my mom was curious to see, like, who I came from, so I remember her, like, just respecting them, like, no matter what they put me through. She, like, was kind of excited to meet them because they made me. But they're just so different than my adoptive parents.

[Villain K]

And were your biological parents as welcoming to your adoptive parents?

[Jasmine]

I think so. They're, like, extra Spanish, so my mom, especially, she, like, barely speaks English. It's, like, super broken, but, yeah. And she has, like. She's shy, so I remember. I don't know, it was just, like, a lot of hugging and crying, and I remember just touching me, like. Like, she really here?

[Villain K]

Yeah.

[Jasmine]

But, yeah, and then I try to keep in contact with them. After I move back to the Lehigh Valley, I saw my mom, like, quite a bit. Like, I have a lot of pictures with both of them, but she would just, you know, she still has her alcohol problems and would text me drunk, and I'm like, I don't want this. I had to just, you know, put my boundaries up and not speak to her.

[Villain K]

Was there ever a point where you, after you were adopted that you were Like, I don't want any relationship with my biological parents.

[Jasmine]

I've cut my biological mom off a few times, like, throughout. Since I've been 18. Like, they're like, I would go months or, like, I'll go, like, a year or two without talking to her. And it's not. It's no issue because I'm used to that. I remember my. My biological dad. I probably, like, two years ago, I stopped, like, answering his phone calls. And then this past Thanksgiving, he called me, and something told me to just answer it, and he was in a good mood and was playing his guitar. And then, like, two days later, he tragically, like, passed away, so. And I was like, damn. Like, I wish I had more time with him. I didn't expect that to be, like, our last phone call. He never met, like, my youngest daughter, but he was awesome. Like, he was artistic. I get, like. I feel, like, most of my personality from him. Thank God I. I look like him.

[Villain K]

I like, you're such a pretty crier. I would be. Like, my mascara would be running down my face.

[Jasmine]

Normally, I'm really ugly, but, yeah, I. Like, he never abused me like my mom did, and he didn't put me through any of that. He was just, like, in and out of jail when I was younger for, like, random things, like, nothing to do with being a bad parent and that. He was actually trying to get us out of foster care and, like, get custody of us. He was, like, in a halfway house, and we were visiting him there while I was in foster care. And then he went back in jail for, like, violating curfew, and they terminated his rights, so he, like, never really had a chance.

[Villain K]

What? I think, as a mom now, I don't want to speak for you, but for me, I do give my mom a little bit of grace sometimes when I reflect, because it's like they're trying to figure it out, too. And, like, it's not an excuse, but I think the older generations don't know how to deal with their own traumas. And so, unfortunately for us and, like, millennials, like, we're dealing with them back then, I feel like there was a lot of abuse, a lot of drugs, a lot of. And they never knew what the effects would be on their kids. And so giving him grace, like, looking back, you know what I mean?

[Jasmine]

Yeah. So that kind of just, I think will always, like, hurt just how bad I can hold grudges because that's just what I'm used to doing.

[Villain K]

Yeah.

[Jasmine]

But I wish I would have given him more grace. For sure.

[Villain K]

But you do now? Yeah. So throughout your entire childhood and going through the foster care system, were you ever placed with any of your siblings?

[Jasmine]

Yes, my sister for a little bit, I think. I was like, 11 and she was 9. We were living in this gross foster home. She smoked cigarettes in the house. I remember.

[Villain K]

Is that even allowed?

[Jasmine]

I guess they approved these foster families. I don't know. But I remember the house always, like, had cigarette smoke. Just.

[Villain K]

Just.

[Jasmine]

She would smoke right in front of us. But we hated being there, so I think we were there for almost a year and they wouldn't move us. Like, normally you can, like, ask to be moved and they'll move you, but if there's not a reason, sometimes they just won't. So we came up with this brilliant plan to, like, trash her room because, yeah, we knew they would kick us out right away. And she did. It worked. She was mad because I think we broke, like, some sentimental things, but we were relocated that day together.

[Villain K]

Relocated together?

[Jasmine]

We were separated.

[Villain K]

So did you regret it because you guys were separated? Did you think that you would be moved together?

[Jasmine]

Yeah, I did. I remember regretting it because I was super sad that me and her were separated. And then she just went down, like, a whole different path after that with, like, horrible homes and other trauma. Yeah.

[Villain K]

Do any of your siblings have a good relationship with your bio mom?

[Jasmine]

Yeah, my oldest. My two older brothers. They're like mommy's boys.

[Villain K]

It's so interesting how y' all could come from the same family and be just totally different paths.

[Jasmine]

I. I don't know. She, like, treats them so good and she, like, babies them, but then when it comes to me, I just have a lot of resentment towards her, like, for what she put me and my little sister through, especially, like, she would leave us home alone all the time with her boyfriend, and. Yeah, wasn't good.

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[Villain K]

For her or about her?

[Jasmine]

No. My oldest daughter knows who she is. Like, my mom can be funny sometimes, but then there's just this super deep, toxic side to her. So when we would, like, run into her every now and then, like, normally my mom would say something funny and we'd laugh.

[Villain K]

You run into her, like, in public?

[Jasmine]

Yeah. Or, like, we would stop by and, like, have coffee and, like, eggs with her. She used to live, like, right down the street from me in Bethlehem.

[Villain K]

Was that weird for you?

[Jasmine]

No, it just kind of felt like full circle. I think it was cool knowing that they were close, like her and my dad before he passed. And I can, like, see them whenever I chose to.

[Villain K]

And you had more control over when you saw them, why you saw them. I guess that makes sense.

[Jasmine]

Yeah. So I like knowing that they were nearby and, like, if I wanted to see them, I could.

[Villain K]

That's so interesting.

[Jasmine]

Yeah. And even if I called her today and wanted to stop over later, like, she would let me, but I just don't want to.

[Villain K]

That's so fascinating to me because it's like, you got taken from her, but then you could choose to have a relationship with her.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

You wanted to.

[Jasmine]

I know. I just wish she didn't, like, continue mentally, like, abusing me. I'm like, you've done enough as, like, a child. Like, I'm 35 now.

[Villain K]

Right.

[Jasmine]

It can stop. You don't have to, like, keep going.

[Villain K]

Did she see your episode on MTV ever?

[Jasmine]

I think so.

[Villain K]

Did she have any reaction or, like, say anything to you about it?

[Jasmine]

Not that I know of. Like, I don't. I don't know if I think she saw it.

[Villain K]

My mom signed over custody to my boyfriend's parents when I was 16.

[Jasmine]

Did she really?

[Villain K]

Yeah.

[Jasmine]

I didn't know that.

[Villain K]

And there was definitely, like, resentment. And I, if I had to guess, like, anger that, like, they had money very well to do. They had a Nice house, they took care of their kids, and my mom just, like, sort of came and went, and so I was just curious to see if your parents had any sort of feelings towards, like, where you came from versus where you were adopted into.

[Jasmine]

I think so. Like, even I remember my biological mom. If she would, like, mention my mom, she'd be like, you, mom. Like, she would say it with, like, an attitude like, that's like, your mom.

[Villain K]

Yeah.

[Jasmine]

I don't know. So she definitely. It probably still does.

[Villain K]

Feels like projection, I feel.

[Jasmine]

Yeah, it definitely is because she still blames, like, her caseworker as to why we were taken into foster care and not herself. Yeah, not at all. She's never, like, truly apologized or, like, taken accountability for anything.

[Villain K]

Oh, wait. So was your younger sister ever adopted or. She aged out of the system.

[Jasmine]

She was adopted, but they. Her adoptive parents were abusing her, and her teacher called, like, children and youth on her adopted mom. And I think she had other foster kids at the time, so she got, like, her foster license revoked, and my sister was placed back into foster care.

[Villain K]

So you were the only one that was, like, successfully adopted? Successfully, yeah. A better way to put it. Have you. Okay. And so do you think that the dynamic between the siblings changed because you were adopted, or do you think it was always sort of tumultuous?

[Jasmine]

It definitely was because I was adopted because we were so close. Like, in the 90s, we would, like, run around.

[Villain K]

We're not old.

[Jasmine]

I know, but I just remember, like, running around the streets. We would, like, pop in and out of, like, our friends houses. But, like, the kids were always together because my mom was always like, Mia.

[Villain K]

Right. So you guys had to stick together.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

I remember being so envious, like, growing up and not having, like, I had a sister, but I never. I didn't know about her until I was 12, and then I didn't meet her until I was 19. So I remember, like, wanting a sibling to, like, have. You know what I mean? And so I feel like there was. There had to be some consolation there for you to have your siblings.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

Especially when you didn't have your parents.

[Jasmine]

Yeah. I still wish that to this day. I wish we were closer, but we're just all so different.

[Villain K]

Well, it's hard when you're raised so differently, because I remember you asked me over the weekend about my sister, and it's just, like, when you're raised that long that differently there. I don't know that there's a way to, like, connect the same way.

[Jasmine]

It's so weird. Though, because you would think you would have that, like, natural sibling ins, like, connection, and. Yeah, I do with them, but we just have, like, nothing in common.

[Villain K]

So do you see a difference in how you grew up with your siblings versus how your kids are growing up as siblings?

[Jasmine]

I think so. Even though my kids act like they hate each other.

[Villain K]

They won't.

[Jasmine]

They won't always, but they. I mean, they have no idea what like. Like, trauma is or, you know, being separated. So I don't know.

[Villain K]

So fascinating to me how, like, family dynamics work, actually. Is there anything in your documents that you want to share that people might not know?

[Jasmine]

So it just said, like, I was in foster care from 9, February 92 until June of 93. So when I was, like, in foster care, like, as I was older, I remember my mom telling us we were only in foster care for, like, a few months.

[Villain K]

Months.

[Jasmine]

I didn't realize it was, like, 18 months. So I was in. I don't have, like, memory of that. From, like, two to, like, three and a half. And I.

[Villain K]

Which are formative years, they say, like.

[Jasmine]

I'm, like, 18 months was a long. I was a little baby, like, toddler.

[Villain K]

Yeah.

[Jasmine]

And I was taken from my mom. I don't remember that at all, but I just think that was crazy.

[Villain K]

Well, they say that you have from zero to four is, like, the most formative years to, like, make an impact and create good habits or traumas. Like, from zero to four years old. And that was during that time.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

Do you feel like you struggle with abandonment at all or ever did?

[Jasmine]

Yeah. I think I even, like, with my husband, like, when we would have our little, you know, fights, I just. I would hold on. Like, I never wanted it to end. I think that's probably why we're still together after 18 years, because, I don't know, I've always dreamed of, like, having my family intact and together, no matter how hard.

[Villain K]

Like a nuclear family.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

If you ever thought, would you be like, but are you gonna leave me?

[Jasmine]

No. Because I know now his ass is going nowhere. He's not going anywhere.

[Villain K]

The first fight, I'm like, oh, my God, but do you still like me? Are you gonna stay like, yeah. Are you gonna leave me?

[Jasmine]

Yeah. I think that, like, in our 20s, I probably felt that way a few times, but now, no, we're pretty locked in.

[Villain K]

I would say four kids, marriage. Yeah.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

So you go into foster care from, like. Like, one. What did you say? Two to three?

[Jasmine]

Yeah. It says, like, we were taken. There was a result of poor hygiene and Maintaining appropriate housing, poor parenting skills, domestic violence, and suspected drug and alcohol abuse.

[Villain K]

Do you know how you, if you read that in Delaware court today, they'd say, is the kid alive?

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

Is the kid scared of mom or dad? No. They get to keep them. Like they will do Del. The state of Delaware will do anything. They will keep inmates having custody of their children so long as, like, we'll use fathers as an example. Because I know Pennsylvania used to be like a four mom state. I don't know how it is now, But Delaware is 50, 50 and for dad, they would rather them see a dad, an inconsistent and unreliable one versus none at all. And I tend to disagree with that.

[Jasmine]

Yeah, I think it's. There's enough signs of abuse like a kid shouldn't be returned because I, I think once you like abuse your kid that bad or you're in and out of the system, like, you're not going to change. You don't, like, you don't become like an abuser to your kids and then.

[Villain K]

Just stop and then just stop. Right, right, right.

[Jasmine]

But yeah, my mom, like, none of their like, fun fact in here. She kind of like bratted herself out. Like the day when they took us into foster care. It says the mother had left the children alone for 45 minutes at the New Bethany shelter upon the return from school. Approximately 20 minutes later, the mother returned to the shelter and called the police to report her children missing. The children had left for their kids peace program that we went to every day. Both police and shelter officials noted an alcohol smell on the mother's breath. It was later learned that the mother had been at a bar and had consumed five cans of beer. The shelter officials reported numerous incidents since the family's admission to the shelter that the children had been left unsupervised. And it has like all these dates that we were like, left unsupervised.

[Co-host/Announcer]

So she was at you, y' all.

[Villain K]

Were living in a shelter?

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

And she was leaving to go to the bar.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

When you read that and when you read that for the first time, what was going through your head?

[Jasmine]

Well, my dad, my biological dad gave me this packet like probably like seven years ago. But he kept. Because my mom always painted my dad to be out like the monster. And he always told me he had this packet of papers that'll like, show me the truth. I didn't know that like, that. Those specifics and why we were taken like that day, I had no idea. Or actually the next day, I think they took us from school the next day, but I was just kind of like, wow, huh? And like the failing drug test, but like, denying she was doing cocaine. I just, I'm glad I have it because they like tore my files apart.

[Villain K]

You know, it's interesting though, like, as a mom today, thinking about putting yourself in that position. Like, if you're in a shelter, the last place I'm gonna go spend money is like a bar, buying cocaine or doing drugs because I have these children to take care of.

[Jasmine]

Five kids. And she was still not caring.

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[Villain K]

Do you have empathy for addicts or do you have resentment or anger towards addicts because of that?

[Jasmine]

I feel like addicts that aren't parents, like, I might have empathy for. But if you're a parent and you give birth, like, I'm sorry, but you need to stop your, like whatever you're doing just has to stop. Yeah, there's a time and a place if you do want to have a few drinks. But like, I'm, I'm definitely not an alcoholic. I. I'll drink like once or twice a year socially, but. Yeah, I just don't understand how people can like get up all the time while they have five kids running around.

[Villain K]

Yeah, no, I get that. You said you drink once or twice a year. I generally don't drink at all because I feel like one. I'm scared to like it too much and then just keep doing it and then same like Any procedures I've had, done surgery or anything. Like, I try not to take the narcotics. So, like, I'd rather sit in pain than give myself the opportunity to be addicted to painkillers or something.

[Jasmine]

Right.

[Villain K]

It just scares me. So do you sort of have the same.

[Jasmine]

Yeah, because it, like, runs in my family, like, alcoholism and everything. So I, I don't want to, like, have alcohol in my house like that, because I probably do have an addictive person somewhere in there, like, genetically. So I try to stay away from it for sure.

[Villain K]

My mom drinks a pint of vodka to get out of bed in the morning.

[Jasmine]

I think that's crazy to think about.

[Villain K]

Someone functioning in that way. It just, I don't know, it scares me. I don't feel like I have an addictive personality. Or any of your siblings. Addicts. Like, do you see any of your mom's alcoholism in your siblings at all or addictive personality? I'll say. Instead of addiction.

[Jasmine]

My brothers. No. My younger sister, I think dabbled into some stuff or still does with her. Weird. She's really weird. You would never guess she's my sister.

[Villain K]

Really?

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

Do y' all look alike?

[Jasmine]

Kind of.

[Villain K]

Cuz your jeans are strong. Baby. Your daughter is your twin.

[Jasmine]

I know both of my daughters.

[Villain K]

Both of them. That's crazy. I, I don't even know what to say because I feel like we could have a whole entire conversation surrounding drugs and alcohol.

[Jasmine]

Am I adoptive side? I had, like, a sibling that passed.

[Villain K]

So you had it on your biological side and then also felt it on your adoptive side? What is that like, it was hard.

[Jasmine]

Yeah. Yeah. That's like.

[Villain K]

Were you close with her while she was.

[Jasmine]

Yeah, she was like, my same age.

[Villain K]

And y' all were adopted at this, like.

[Jasmine]

No, she was their biological daughter.

[Villain K]

Oh, she. Oh, wow.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

So she was like your sister and struggled. That's so hard.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

I can't imagine. We'll end it on a more positive note. We did the 2010 trends. Okay, well, first, let's talk. Let's go back to Sweet 16's stuff. We'll do Sweet 16 stuff. If you could go back, what is the first thing you do with your car on your 16th birthday? Drive it or crash it.

[Jasmine]

Oh, my God. Drive it.

[Co-host/Announcer]

Drive it.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

Worst birthday gift you could get.

[Jasmine]

Socks. Because I've gotten them before.

[Villain K]

I, I, that's what I want, though.

[Jasmine]

Now. I would love socks.

[Villain K]

Yeah, for sure. 16. You're like, I don't want socks. Most iconic sweet 16 party theme.

[Jasmine]

Honestly, like, thinking back from, like, the Sweet 16ers. I remember the one that came out in like a Barbie. Was that Tiana?

[Villain K]

Yeah, the Barbie box. Teyana Taylor. Was that her?

[Jasmine]

I wasn't it her?

[Villain K]

I don't know. I think so.

[Jasmine]

Yeah. That was like. Yeah, that was cool.

[Villain K]

Love cringe or cute parents dancing at your sweet 16?

[Co-host/Announcer]

Cringe, cringe.

[Villain K]

Even now, like, would you dance at your daughters or your sons?

[Jasmine]

Yeah, but I would be cringe.

[Villain K]

You pull up to school on your birthday. What song is blasting? We're talking about 16 year old Jasmine.

[Jasmine]

Probably Big girls Don't Cry by. Was it Birdie? Yeah.

[Villain K]

Yes.

[Jasmine]

That was like my song.

[Villain K]

Dream celebrity guest at your sweet 16.

[Jasmine]

If I remember, I was obsessed with Jessica Simpson back then.

[Co-host/Announcer]

Oh, Rihanna.

[Villain K]

Big Rihanna. Rihanna.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

What is more exciting, Driver's license or first kiss?

[Jasmine]

Probably driver's license. First kisses are like awkward.

[Villain K]

So awkward.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

I made out at the movie theater.

[Jasmine]

Yeah. Like you want to forget that in.

[Villain K]

Town and I wish I could forget it. Okay, better present. $1,000 gift card or no curfew for a year.

[Jasmine]

Gosh, that's a hard choice. Like I would. I'm back. I'm 16.

[Villain K]

I mean, even if you were turning 16 today, which one would you want?

[Jasmine]

Oh my gosh. That's a really hard choice. I would say no curfew.

[Villain K]

No curfew.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

Would you film a reality show today?

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

Who's not invited to your sweet 16?

[Jasmine]

Oh my gosh. I feel like a mean girl again being asked. I remember the scene they had us like picking out pictures in the yearbook. It was so staged and that's so up. Yeah. Like, she's coming, she's cool. She's not. That's so wouldn't come. I mean, there's a couple like ex friends that I've had to cross off.

[Villain K]

Okay.

[Jasmine]

Names, but yeah.

[Villain K]

Would you go all out for a sweet 16 today or would you keep it really chill?

[Jasmine]

I don't know. Because I loved my. Like, I had so much fun. So if I was turning 16 again, I would probably do another big one.

[Villain K]

I was traumatized for my 16th birthday, so.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

Living vicariously through you. If producers asked you back for a spin off today, would you do it for sure. Like a. Where are they now from?

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

Okay.

[Jasmine]

I think they've done it with a couple of the girls.

[Villain K]

Oh. Oh, okay. BBM or AIM. These are 2010 trends.

[Jasmine]

So wait, I don't know what those.

[Villain K]

BBM is like BlackBerry mobile. BlackBerry messenger. And then like AIM, like AO, like instant messenger.

[Jasmine]

Oh, aim for sure.

[Villain K]

For sure.

[Jasmine]

Yeah. I got Home from school.

[Villain K]

I mean, I didn't have a computer, but if I did. Yeah. What was your screen name?

[Jasmine]

I think it was crazy beautiful.

[Villain K]

Like, and that's today. Since MySpace, I didn't have one. I didn't have a computer until I was 16, when AIM was out. You know what I mean? Duck face selfies or peace sign pose?

[Jasmine]

Peace sign.

[Villain K]

I'm doing both.

[Co-host/Announcer]

Okay.

[Jasmine]

Yeah, yeah.

[Villain K]

Toxic. Wait, did you ever do toxic Facebook statuses or MySpace updates? Oh, yeah, like, super toxic. To get someone's attention.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

Do you still do them today?

[Jasmine]

No, I've. I've stopped doing that because I feel like, first of all, people love to see it.

[Villain K]

Yeah, they do.

[Jasmine]

Yeah, they do.

[Villain K]

They look for it.

[Jasmine]

I just stopped doing it a few years ago.

[Villain K]

Most used app in 2010. I feel like Facebook and Instagram were, like, the big ones.

[Jasmine]

I think Facebook, like, just came out and I felt like older going into Facebook.

[Villain K]

Oh, yeah. Because I think of. At first it was for college kids.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

Favorite reality show back then.

[Jasmine]

Probably Jersey Shore and Teen Mom.

[Villain K]

Really? Yeah. I was watching Laguna beach and the Hills.

[Jasmine]

Oh, yes, for sure.

[Villain K]

And then what was. Didn't Ryan Sheckler have one at one time? I was a big Ryan Sheckler fan. Didn't have a crush on him. But I, like. Like, I was a little not girly back then, so I was like, oh, this is so freaking cool.

[Jasmine]

Yeah. No, I was a big Laguna Hill or the Laguna beach and Hills.

[Villain K]

What 2010 fashion trend would you bring back?

[Jasmine]

The gauchos.

[Villain K]

We should bring those back.

[Jasmine]

Yeah, we should.

[Villain K]

We should.

[Jasmine]

They don't make.

[Villain K]

I'll order them. I'll find them. The flare at the knee and, like, actually Bermuda shorts. Did you know jorts are coming back? Like, the ones that, like, men would wear. They're coming back, but for women.

[Jasmine]

Oh, yeah. I think my daughter has a pair.

[Villain K]

Oh, I was not on board with that. Your daughter had.

[Jasmine]

Yes. Loves the jorts.

[Villain K]

No, I'm not into it.

[Jasmine]

Yeah. And it has to be, like, two sizes too big.

[Villain K]

Do you remember when we used to wear, like, 12 camis on top of each other and then, like, the big chunky necklaces? You couldn't tell me any of those.

[Jasmine]

Outfits in my show.

[Villain K]

Ipod touch or sidekick?

[Jasmine]

Ipod touch. I don't think I was ever into the side. They were, like, too big.

[Villain K]

No, I was a sidekick. Girly.

[Jasmine]

Yeah.

[Villain K]

Text me after 9 energy or unlimited everything?

[Jasmine]

I think I had unlimited everything at that point. Honestly, I never had the after nine problem.

[Villain K]

Best makeup product during that time and I'm gonna name something right now. Dream matte mousse came out in 2000, around 2010. Okay. Do you remember it was like this little jar. It was like glass.

[Jasmine]

I do.

[Villain K]

That was the first matte makeup and we were just talking about that. I do remember that I couldn't afford it, but I always used my best friend. Yeah, I remember those days. Okay, more dramatic 2010 breakups or today breakups?

[Jasmine]

Oh, 2010 for sure.

[Villain K]

Do you remember like T9 texting and it's like, why are you breaking up with me on T9?

[Jasmine]

Yeah. I was at the end of the world.

[Villain K]

Yeah, for sure. Last thing that you'd say to your 2010 self. How old were you in 2010? You're through. Two years older than me.

[Jasmine]

I would have been probably 21. 2010 I graduated. So my.

[Villain K]

Oh, yeah. So I was 18 in 2010.

[Jasmine]

I don't know. I probably that I'm going to get everything I, like, wished for. Like, I always wanted, like, a family and like, so I. I have everything, like now that I've wished for at that time.

[Villain K]

And what do you wish that people knew about you?

[Jasmine]

Yeah, I feel like a lot of people thought I was like, ungrateful and I was just a brat. And they filmed over 120 hours and they squeeze it into 22 minutes. So people think they know me from 22 minutes. Like, no. And then they still think they know me like 20 years later based off those 22 minutes.

[Villain K]

Where can people follow you on social media?

[Jasmine]

Crazy beautiful on like all platforms, period.

[Villain K]

Thank you for coming on Barely Famous.

[Jasmine]

Thank you for having me. It was fun.

[Villain K]

Sam.

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[Jasmine]

This is my kind of place.

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[Villain K]

Something in the blood.

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[Adam Rippon]

Hi, I'm Adam Rippon and this is Intrusive Thoughts, the podcast where I finally say the stuff out loud that's been living rent free in my head for years. From dumb decisions to awkward moments on, I probably should have kept to myself. Nothing's off limits. Yes, I'm talking about the time I lost my phone mid flight and still haven't truly emotionally recovered from that. There might be too many sound effects. I've been told to chill. Will I unclear, but if you've ever laid awake at night cringing at something you said five years ago. Congratulations. You found your people. Intrusive Thoughts with Adam Rippon is available now wherever you get your podcasts.