Amy Slaton, a star of the popular reality TV show “1000-lb Sisters,” has recently introduced a new and rather eerie family member—a tarantula. This unexpected addition to her household has sparked curiosity and concern among her fans, with some speculating that it might be a cry for help.
Amy’s journey on “1000-lb Sisters” has been nothing short of dramatic. The show, which premiered in 2020, follows the weight-loss journeys of Amy and her sister, Tammy Slaton. When Amy first appeared on the show, she weighed over 400 pounds. Determined to get healthy enough to have children, she underwent bariatric surgery and successfully lost 125 pounds.
Following her weight loss, Amy was able to fulfill her dream of becoming a mother. She gave birth to two healthy sons, Gage and Glenn Halterman. However, the arrival of her children brought significant changes to her life, including the dynamics of her marriage. In 2023, Amy and her husband, Michael Halterman, announced their divorce, leaving Amy to navigate the challenges of single motherhood.
Amidst these life changes, Amy recently introduced a new pet to her family—a tarantula. Known for her love of all things creepy and her passion for horror movies, Amy’s choice of pet is not entirely surprising. She even named her sons after characters from horror movies, with Glenn being named after a character in “The Walking Dead” and Gage after a character in “Pet Cemetery.”
Amy shared a picture of her new eight-legged companion on TikTok, captioning it, “Fang my strip knee tarantula.” The post garnered 118 likes, but it also raised questions about Amy’s mental state. Long-time fans of the show will remember Amy’s previous beloved pet, a chihuahua named Little Bit, who passed away during season 4. Little Bit’s death marked a period of significant change in Amy’s life, including her weight loss, the birth of her children, and her divorce.
Choosing a tarantula as a pet instead of a more conventional option like a cat or dog might indicate that Amy is struggling with her mental health. Since her divorce, Amy has been open about her mental health challenges, including her diagnoses of depression, acute stress disorder, and bipolar disorder. As a single mother, she has had to prioritize her mental well-being while also navigating the complexities of dating.
Amy’s journey on “1000-lb Sisters” has been marked by both triumphs and setbacks. During the show’s premiere episode, Amy and Tammy were too heavy to step on a commercial scale and had to use an industrial scale at a local junkyard. Amy was devastated to learn that she weighed over 400 pounds, a realization that brought her to tears as she feared her dreams of motherhood slipping away.
Fortunately, Amy qualified for gastric bypass surgery with Dr. Charles Proctor in 2019. The surgery, which involves dividing the stomach to create a smaller pouch, helped Amy lose enough weight to achieve her goal of becoming a mother. Despite her doctor’s warnings not to get pregnant too soon after the surgery, Amy became pregnant almost immediately and later had a second pregnancy in quick succession.
Amy’s sister, Tammy, has also experienced significant weight loss. Tammy weighed over 600 pounds when she first appeared on the show and eventually reached 720 pounds by the end of season 3. After a health scare, Tammy underwent her own bypass surgery and lost an incredible 440 pounds, bringing her weight down to 285 pounds.
Since her divorce, Amy has faced numerous challenges. She has had to focus on her mental health and has experienced disappointment in her dating life. After her relationship with Michael ended, Amy briefly dated a man named Tony Rogers, introducing him to her sons too soon. When that relationship ended, she dated another man, Kevin, but wisely chose not to introduce him to her children.
Amy’s decision to bring a tarantula into her home may be a reflection of her current state of mind. While her love for creepy things and horror movies is well-known, the choice of such an unconventional pet could be a sign that she is struggling to cope with the changes in her life. As she continues to navigate the challenges of single motherhood and mental health, her fans remain hopeful that she will find stability and happiness.
Source: Reality TV World, Screen Rant
