Prime Video docuseries exposes troubling secrets of Duggar family and their religion
The highly anticipated docu-series, Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets, premieres June 2 exclusively on Prime Video, and PEOPLE got an exclusive first look at the explosive revelations to come.
Peeling back the layers of the seemingly perfect Duggar family, the limited series seeks to shed light on their troubling connections to the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP), a radical religious organization. Through a series of revealing interviews and testimonies, the documentary exposes the negative impact of the IBLP on the beloved TLC family, which has been marred by a series of controversial scandals.
In an exclusive sneak peek of the first trailer, one man claims, “World domination was the goal,” hinting at the sinister motives lurking beneath the surface.
“The IBLP teachings are not Christianity,” claims a woman in the trailer. “They are something completely different.” These allegations raise questions about the true nature of the religious beliefs practiced by the Duggar family.
The trailer also introduces the involvement of Jill (Duggar) Dillard, Derick Dillard and Amy (Duggar) King, who play an important role in unraveling the family’s secrets. Jill (32) claims: “There’s a story to be told, and I’d rather be the one telling it.” Reflecting on her upbringing, she shares, “We’ve been part of IBLP as early as I can remember,” indicating the deep roots of their connection with the controversial organization.
Further shocking accusations unfold throughout the trailer, with one man claiming that IBLP founder Bill Gothard has “turned every father into a cult leader and every house into an island.” Another woman compares her harrowing experiences within the organization to the dystopian world depicted in Hulu’s award-winning series, “The Handmaid’s Tale,” where women are subjected to extreme subjugation.
A coming revelation emerges as a woman claims that “the institute is raising small predators”, pointing to a disturbing pattern within the IBLP. The trailer then delves into the dark family secret involving Jill’s brother, Josh Duggar. The 35-year-old was convicted in December 2021 of possessing and receiving child pornography and previously admitted to molesting four victims, including his sisters Jill and Jessa (Duggar) Seewald, when he was a teenager.
“It’s like the epitome of evil,” one woman expressed, while another lamented, “It breaks my heart to think about the girls,” highlighting the devastating impact on the victims.
Despite the focus on the Duggars, the documentation emphasizes that the scope of the investigation extends far beyond the family itself. Allegations are surfacing about the IBLP’s long-term agenda, which aims to groom children within their dedicated base for political engagement and prominent roles in office. This revelation sheds light on the political aspirations of Duggar family patriarch Jim Bob Duggar, who previously served in the Arkansas House of Representatives.
“The shiny, happy images are the sugar, and we’re all high on it,” notes another woman, exposing the deceptive facade that has captivated the public’s perception of the family.
Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets premieres June 2 exclusively on Prime Video. As the curtain lifts on the hidden truths and disturbing revelations surrounding the Duggar family and their religious affiliations, viewers will see a side of the famous reality TV family that has remained hidden for years.
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Prime Video docuseries exposes troubling secrets of Duggar family and their religion