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Why are these young women stars? First, teen moms are hawt! They’ve held a prurient fascination ever since Jamie Lynn Spears and Bristol Palin’s pregnancies were revealed in 2007 and 2008. But while Spears and Palin were already famous, the “Teen Mom” stars have real struggles.

Another reason for the cast’s popularity is their incredible ability to make news, on and off the air. Amber set off a controversy after episodes showed her hitting Gary and attempting to kick him down a flight of stairs. She is now being investigated for domestic abuse.

The women were cast — for “16 and Pregnant” and “Teen Mom” — for being ordinary people dealing with difficult circumstances. Now that they have become celebrities, the line between them and other reality stars has blurred.