Amber de la Mottes: A Cult Escapee with Dating Rules That Will Make You Blush
You’ve got to hand it to Amber de la Mottes—breaking free from the shackles of the Independent Fundamental Baptist Church is no small feat. Star of TLC’s latest special, “Big Family, Big City,” Amber candidly recalls her family’s 15-year stint in a religious bubble where the rules were stricter than a high school dress code. For the de la Mottes, growing up in this rigid environment meant restrictions like wearing skirts below the knee and banning any music with a “beat,” which left son Elijah blissfully unaware of The Beatles until just recently. Spoiler alert: this upbringing left Amber feeling “brainwashed,” likening it to the proverbial frog in the kettle, where the heat creeps in so gradually you don’t notice until it’s too late.
But now that the family has traded in their church pews for the bright lights of New York City, they’re on a quest for independence, albeit with some old-world values still on the itinerary. Take their strict dating rules, which might just make modern dating standards look like a wild party. During a heart-tugging episode, their eldest daughter Pearl nervously confesses she’s dating her first boyfriend, Adam—someone she hasn’t even kissed! The de la Mottes have set some serious ground rules around romance: there’s no texting all day, no private hangouts, and definitely no kissing until the altar! In Amber’s words, “We believe in dating with a goal in mind, and that goal is marriage.”
This preachy approach to dating isn’t just a family quirk; it’s an ingrained belief system. Marc reinforces that every relationship should lead toward marriage—casual dates? Not in their vocabulary! “Is that what you believe, too?” Amber inquires of Adam, who, luckily for him, shares the same mindset.
Now, as the de la Mottes navigate life outside the church, they’re not entirely throwing tradition to the wind. While their rules may seem like lead balloons in today’s swiping culture, they offer a glimpse into how a family can redefine relationships while holding onto their core beliefs. Whether you find their approach charming or cringe-worthy, you have to respect their transition from “cult” to a more free-spirited existence in the bustling city. Instead of walls and rules, they are now embracing the endless possibilities that New York has to offer—albeit with a kiss-less dating strategy.
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and People Magazine, TLC, Discovery+
