The oldest son of Kailyn Lowry, who was previously known as Isaac, has decided to change his name to Elliott in an act of youthful self-assertion that deviates from life in the spotlight of reality television. He bravely came out as gay at the age of 15 on his mother’s podcast, stating that the choice was “for me,” indicating a desire to control his own story.
Elliott experienced intrusive moments while growing up in front of rolling cameras, such as being outed by a childhood friend in fifth grade, which he describes as extremely upsetting and out of his control. He later lost even more control over his coming-out timeline due to online prom photo leaks. This double violation is acknowledged by his mother, who confesses that he was “robbed… twice” of his moment.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Isaac Elliot Rivera (now goes by Elliott) |
| Birthdate | January 18, 2010 |
| Age | 15 |
| Parents | Kailyn Lowry and Jo Rivera |
| Siblings | Lincoln, Lux, Creed, Rio, Verse, and Valley |
| Known From | Reality shows 16 & Pregnant, Teen Mom 2; eldest child |
| Public Transition | Came out as gay in June 2025 on podcast Barely Famous |
| Name Change Reason | Felt ‘Isaac’ didn’t reflect who he is; chose identity on his terms |
| Privacy Perspective | Grew up on TV, values control of his own story |
| Interests | ASL, vinyl records, theater, baking (per social media) |
| Reference | People.com article on name change and coming out |
That traumatic time left a lasting impact on sixth grade, causing confusion and feelings of loneliness. Elliott, however, attributes his resilience to that period of time, saying that the hardship enabled him to “learn about myself” and “build character.” His metamorphosis is indicative of a teenager developing a grounded sense of self in spite of the demands of public attention.
Selecting “Elliott” emphasizes a crucial claim: choosing a name that feels truly his over one associated with a reality persona. The action highlights a larger desire to be in charge of his own voice—to embrace his identity according to his own terms. The challenging landscape of raising a queer adolescent in a divisive social environment is highlighted by Kailyn’s supportive role, which strikes a balance between pride and protective hesitancy.
In their frank conversation on Teen Vogue, Kailyn expressed her worry about the growing stigma that LGBTQ+ youth face, but she firmly supported Elliott and upheld his right to live openly. He also underlined that coming out doesn’t have to be a predetermined turning point. He said, “You don’t have to if it’s not necessary.” “Give me a chance to speak.”
Elliott’s story relates to broader cultural changes, such as the growing importance of individual liberty, respect for one’s name, and privacy. His choice to disclose a private aspect of his life on his own terms goes against the norm for public figures’ kids. His transformation from a given name to one he owns represents the increasing significance of personal narrative.
This is not merely the tale of a famous child; rather, it is an example of how contemporary teenagers can define themselves in spite of outside influences. Reflection is prompted by Elliott’s journey: how can society support young voices pursuing authenticity? His story reflects the universal quest for identity and has resonance beyond the broadcast lens.
His poise has been praised by Reddit commenters, one of whom called his confidence “beautiful” and mature for his age. Another said that giving up the name Isaac felt freeing, indicating that they were no longer associated with any particular brand.
In a broader sense, Kailyn’s parenting style highlights how individual each child is. She addresses each of her seven children, from Isaac/Elliott to the newborn twins, with humility rather than expecting. Her backing of Elliott demonstrates that her mothering is driven by independence rather than celebrity.
Elliott’s journey also highlights how society is changing and how teenagers expect their chosen identity to be valued even if it comes before them. His embrace of hobbies such as baking, vinyl, theater, and ASL reveals a complex personality that is difficult to describe.
Socially speaking, his story raises concerns about the importance of consent in identity narratives, particularly for young people who are influenced by or famous. In what ways can platforms honor a teen’s timeline for disclosing private information? Elliott establishes a strong precedent with his claim that “spare me the headlines, I’ll speak when I’m ready.”
