Only a few unique Teen Mom {couples} have made it down the aisle after having a child so younger. However even for those who have, it doesn’t assure a cheerful ending. Given their chaotic historical past – and the drama that continues between them to today – Ashley Jones and Bariki “Bar” Smith ought to’ve by no means gotten married. At the very least that means, they wouldn’t be going by way of a messy divorce full of criminal charges and surprising allegations—a case that’s put their daughter, Holly, instantly within the heart.
Bar and Ashley have been romantically concerned for a decade. They began courting in 2015 and welcomed their daughter two years later. They joined the solid of Teen Mother: Younger and Pregnant in 2018, and their actuality TV journey continued after they have been solid on Teen Mother 2 in December 2020 after Chelsea Houska’s departure. From the beginning, they introduced main drama to the franchise, delivering a number of the most explosive storylines on the present. It appeared like they lastly reached their fairytale ending in April 2021 after they secretly eloped. No household attended the ceremony, and it even took some time for the general public to understand that they had tied the knot. Sadly, their marriage didn’t final lengthy, and their break up has been simply as chaotic as their relationship has at all times been.
What Went Improper Between Bar and Ashley?
The start of the top got here in March 2023, when Bar and Ashley announced their separation after two years of marriage. However as a substitute of quietly parting methods, their drama escalated as Bar refused to just accept the divorce, trying to win Ashley again. This led to a terrifying incident in July 2024 that resulted in Bar’s arrest.
Bar allegedly confirmed up unannounced at Ashley’s Las Vegas residence after seeing photos of her with a new boyfriend. He reportedly took her electronics, threatened her, and barricaded her inside, stopping her from leaving. Ultimately, authorities have been alerted, and Bar was arrested on a number of expenses, together with second-degree kidnapping and home violence.
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Why are followers concerned right here?
Ashley later recounted the traumatic experience on Teen Mother, saying in a confessional, “Once I first received into my home, I see Bar sitting on my sofa. I might inform that he was pissed. Bar and I are going backwards and forwards, simply arguing. Then I hear knocking on my door.”
She stated she was in a position to inform her mother about Bar’s intrusion, who then referred to as 911. When police confirmed up, Ashley says Bar started “grabbing my barstools and placing them in entrance of my door attempting to barricade the doorways.”
“It scared the s— out of me as a result of trigger-finger-happy-ass cops,” she continued. “I’m scared to open the door as a result of, do they know I’m opening the door? The last item I would like is somebody getting shot or getting actually damage.” The pair have been in a position to safely get out of the home after Ashley advised police Bar was going to cooperate.
A 12 months later, in August 2024, Ashley filed for divorce and sole custody of their daughter, citing Bar’s felony expenses and incarceration as the rationale. Whereas she appeared decided to maneuver ahead, followers have been left scratching their heads when the divorce proceedings have been delayed in November 2024 after each Ashley and Bar failed to attend a scheduled hearing, leaving them legally married to today.
Extra just lately, in February 2025, Bar accepted a plea deal that resulted in a six-month jail sentence and a 12 months of probation. He was additionally ordered to don’t have any contact with Ashley and to bear substance abuse evaluations. Whereas Ashley seems to be transferring on together with her life – and somebody new – she stays legally tied to Bar, as their divorce stays pending.
There Have been Crimson Flags from the Starting
Nobody might have predicted simply how darkish issues would get between Bar and Ashley, not even the Teen Mother producers. However trying again, there have been loads of warning indicators suggesting this relationship was doomed from the beginning.
For one, Ashley and Bar’s households have at all times been at odds. One of many first big clashes happened Ashley’s baby shower, the place she received right into a bodily altercation with Bar’s mom, Shen Williams, who stays vocal to today about her dislike for Ashley. She just lately took to social media to blast Ashley, accusing her of conspiring with MTV producers to magnify the severity of Bar’s expenses after the July 2024 Las Vegas incident, additional proving their households have by no means seen eye to eye. Household gatherings have remained a supply of battle, together with a now-infamous party the place Ashley’s sister and Bar tried combating one another.
Ashley and Bar’s drama hasn’t simply been behind closed doorways – it’s additionally performed out on-line. In January 2019, throughout an Instagram Reside session, Ashley accused Bar of physical abuse, claiming, “He does get bodily with me usually.” Regardless of this, they went on to marry two years later.
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Want one other pink flag? There’s additionally Bar’s criminal history, making his most up-to-date arrest removed from surprising.
In Might 2021, only a month after their secret wedding ceremony, Bar was arrested for “willful discharge of a firearm in a negligent method.”
The next 12 months, he confronted felony expenses as a fugitive from one other state, stemming from the sooner firearm incident. Now, together with his 2024 kidnapping expenses, his legal file has solely grown. The 911 call from Ashley’s terrifying encounter has since been made public, sending shockwaves by way of the Teen Mother fanbase.
The truth that Bar and Ashley received married in secret was one other warning signal. Given the continued rigidity between their households –and the truth that neither of their moms authorised of the connection – it is smart they selected to elope. However their secrecy may be an indication that their households wouldn’t have supported the wedding within the first place. Given Bar’s authorized troubles main as much as their wedding ceremony, in addition to Ashley’s allegations of abuse, it’s onerous to imagine this was ever a good suggestion.
Ought to Teen Mother Maintain Bar Off the Present?
It looks like Bar and Ashley are lastly over for good, as she hasn’t rescinded the divorce – she says the one cause it was delayed is because she was late to court. Whereas the proceedings stay ongoing, their separation is probably going for the most effective. Bar hasn’t appeared on Teen Mother just lately as a result of his incarceration, and actually, MTV is healthier off protecting it that means.
The franchise has been recognized to bend its ethical requirements for scores – like reintroducing Ryan Edwards despite his troubled past – however placing Bar again on the present can be equal to brazenly supporting a home abuser. Giving Ashley a platform to restart her life and share her experiences could be helpful (to each her and viewers), however provided that MTV retains Bar out of the image. And with the court-mandated, no-contact order, they might not have a lot of a alternative. However you may guess followers will get all the main points on their divorce, as long as Ashley will get a paycheck to spill.
