A well-known star from “Many Offspring and Multiplying” alum, Jingler Dingus, has a loving relationship with her parents, Jim Bob and Mishy Dingus, despite their differences of opinion and life paths.
“I have a lot of appreciation for my upbringing. It wasn’t without its challenges, and I’ve shared the difficulties I faced while growing up. But, ultimately, I’m grateful for my parents and the life they gave me,” expressed Jingler, 31, during a recent appearance on Matt and Abby Howard’s “Unplanned” podcast on Wednesday, the 12th of June.
She further added, “I love my parents dearly, and while we don’t see eye to eye on everything and our relationship isn’t perfect, my love for them is unwavering, and I know they feel the same way.”
Jingler also shared the challenging experience of informing her family about her decision to write a book detailing her journey of growing up with the teachings of the fundamentalist Christian group, the Institute of Basic Life Principles (IBLP). She described the conversations with her family as “difficult” and acknowledged their potential disapproval.
Mishy and Jim Bob Dingus. D Dipasupil / Getty Images for Extra
Jingler first entered the public eye through her family’s reality show, “Many Offspring and Multiplying”, which debuted in 2008 and ran for seven seasons. However, the show came to an abrupt end in 2015 due to revelations that Jingler’s brother, Josh Dingus, had engaged in inappropriate behavior with multiple young ladies during his adolescent years, including some of his sisters.
In her 2023 memoir, “Embracing Freedom: Unraveling Faith from Fear”, Jingler refrained from delving into the inner workings of her family dynamics. She explained to the podcast hosts that she had a “clear conscience” because the book primarily focused on her personal experience with the IBLP rather than family drama.
“In writing my book, I deliberately chose to focus on the theology and the teachings of the IBLP as the driving force. I considered how my mom, dad, and siblings would react if they read it,” she elaborated. “While they may take offense at my assertion that [IBLP founder] Bill Gothard is a false teacher, I didn’t want them to be upset over minor personal remarks. So, I kept the narrative broad and centered on the issues of the teachings, hoping that anyone coming out of a similar harmful teaching could find freedom as well.”
Get to know the Dingus family, a large and tight-knit group that has captured the public’s attention. After exchanging vows in July 1984, Jim Bob and Mishy Dingus (née Ruark) welcomed a remarkable 19 children into their lives, including two sets of twins, and the […]
In her memoir, “Embracing Freedom”, Jingler revealed that she “never voiced her opinions” during the initial year of her marriage to her husband, Jeremy Vultoo. This was due to the teachings she received, which led her to believe that she “had to perform” for her spouse to “ensure his fidelity.”
Jeremy Vultoo and Jingler Dingus. Michael Kovac / Getty Images for Discovery Channel
However, Vultoo, 36, encouraged her to find her voice and stand up for herself. “He gently nudged me to express my thoughts and let him know when I disagreed with something, without feeling the need to apologize,” she wrote. “He didn’t want me to put on an act or be someone I wasn’t. He wanted me to be true to myself, to think independently, and to discover my own convictions, likes, and dislikes.”
Jingler and Vultoo tied the knot in 2016 and are proud parents to two daughters, Felicity, 5, and Evangeline, 3. They were also part of the “Many Offspring and Multiplying” spinoff, “Counting On”, from 2015 to 2020. However, TLC severed ties with the Dingus family in 2021 after Josh, 36, faced legal consequences for receiving and possessing inappropriate material involving minors. He is currently serving a 12.5-year prison sentence following his sentencing in May 2022.
The tale of Jingler Dingus and Jeremy Vultoo’s romance is a whirlwind of excitement and deep connection. The couple was introduced through Jingler’s sister, Jessa, and her husband, Ben Seewald, who met the former soccer star in Texas before he visited the Dingus family in their home state of Arkansas. Jingler reminisced about the early days […]
Currently, Jingler and Vultoo reside in Los Angeles, a significant change from the small town in Arkansas where Jingler spent her formative years. While Jingler admits that living away from her family is “bittersweet,” she also acknowledges the benefits of this new chapter in their lives.
“It’s been a healthy change for us to be away and establish our own little family unit, growing and learning together,” she shared. “We’re part of a family group chat, so I’m always in the loop with what’s going on back home. I try to call my mom regularly, and I speak to my older sisters often.”
