“I Was Octomom”: A Deep Dive into the Life of America’s Most Notorious Mom
In a recent exclusive chat with E! News, Kristen Lee Gutoskie, who portrays the infamous “Octomom” Natalie Suleman in the Lifetime biopic *I Was Octomom: The Natalie Suleman Story*, shared insights from her journey to embody one of America’s most polarizing figures. Premiering on March 8, this film seeks to peel back the layers of a woman thrust into the spotlight after giving birth to the world’s first surviving octuplets in 2009—a feat that catapulted her into a media frenzy and public scrutiny.
Gutoskie candidly admits she didn’t approach the role with preconceived notions, stating, “I just remembered, ‘Oh yeah, that’s the lady who had a bunch of babies.'” Indeed, Suleman’s journey began with a whirlwind of headlines showcasing her controversial family planning choices, including the decision to undergo in vitro fertilization that resulted in her octuplets. Notably, her fertility doctor, Dr. Michael Kamrava, faced severe backlash for transferring 12 embryos, leading to his medical license revocation in 2011.
Despite the storm of public opinion, Gutoskie found herself intrigued by the complexities of Suleman’s life. “When I started to research her… I was like, ‘Oh wow, there was a lot going on,'” she said, reflecting on the tabloid coverage that often overshadowed Suleman’s humanity. The actress took a thoughtful approach to her preparation, watching past interviews and even reading Suleman’s unpublished manuscript, which shed light on the emotional rollercoaster she experienced.
As filming progressed, Gutoskie grew anxious about how Suleman would perceive her portrayal. Thankfully, after the project wrapped, the two finally connected. “She was really, really happy with it,” Gutoskie revealed, adding that Suleman felt authentically represented—a sentiment that surely soothed Gutoskie’s nerves.
This film marks a significant moment for Suleman, as her octuplets—Noah, Maliyah, Isaiah, Nariyah, Jonah, Makai, Josiah, and Jeremiah—are now teenagers, allowing her to reflect on her tumultuous past with a sense of closure. Gutoskie’s portrayal promises not just to entertain, but to humanize a figure often caricatured in the media. As the world watches this biopic unfold, it raises questions about motherhood, societal expectations, and the price of fame in the era of relentless scrutiny.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! Online, People Magazine, The Guardian
Image Credit: Title: Untitled, Author: No author info, License: [‘cc_attribute’, ‘cc_nonderived’, ‘cc_publicdomain’]
