Courtney Stodden Celebrates New Law Ending Child Marriage in California

Courtney Stodden is celebrating a new California law amid efforts to end child marriage in the United States.

"A girl can dream … and sometimes the governor signs it into law. 💋," Stodden, 32, wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, September 30, alongside a photo with California Gov. Gavin Newsom. "Today I watched governor newsom sign AB 1267, ending child marriage in california. I spent years wishing someone had protected the little girl I used to be. Today, California protected the next one. And yes, I called him daddy newsom. What can i say? I've always had a weakness for a man with a pen. 😉."

Stodden concluded, "Thank you @unchainedatlast and every survivor who fought beside us. California is only the beginning. all 50, baby. 🇺🇸🖤."

Child marriage, defined as a legal union made to anyone under 18 years old, was a part of Stodden's life. In 2011, Stodden was a child bride when marrying Doug Hutchinson, then 50. Stodden was 16 years old. The pair went their separate ways in 2017.

"I've been fighting for so long and really, really hard with amazing survivors who have become my survivor sisters," Stodden exclusively told Us in September of the efforts. "We've been going to the Sacramento Capitol, and for the first time in nine years this is going to reach Newsom's desk and he's going to sign it. And no more girls will ever have to go through what me and all of those other survivors went through."

Stodden added, "There have been years of abuse - child trafficking in California – and a lot of people say, ‘This isn't true. It happens in another country. It's not here.' No, it's here. But it stops now."

Despite the victory in California, Stodden does not plan to slow down advocacy work.

"I never really wanted this, to be honest with you," Stodden told Us. "I wanted more out of my life, but I think the craziest thing is that I'm figuring out [that] I'm waking up to a bigger purpose - turning pain into purpose. And the amount of DMs and messages I get from women and men who are telling me how much I'm helping them and saving their lives, I have such a responsibility."

Stodden continued, "I have to get back, and I have to do it. No matter if I'm tired, I got to spread the word because it's really important."

If you know of a young person who is being exploited or is the victim of a crime, you are urged to report it to your local FBI field office by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI. Tips can also be left at http://tips.fbi.gov/

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This story was originally published October 1, 2026 at 1:07 PM.