‘Teen Mom OG’: Farrah Abraham Gets Candid About ‘Awkward’ Return To Reality TV

Farrah Abraham is opening up about her controversial return to “Teen Mom OG.” The 23-year-old, who was excluded from filming at first, says the decision to return to reality TV was not an easy one -- especially with rumors circulating that she was not welcomed by the rest of the cast. Multiple reports claimed Catelynn Lowell, Maci Bookout and Amber Portwood refused to participate in the show if Abraham were included. Producers decided to move forward without her, but they later extended an invitation to begin filming again, catching the rest of the former teen moms off guard.

Her castmates weren’t the only ones surprised by the news. Farrah says she never expected to be invited back. She told Us Weekly she was reluctant to accept the offer, but ultimately decided it was the right choice for her and her daughter, Sophia.

“When I got the call to come back, it was a little bit awkward for me, and I tried to work with them the best that I could,” she said. “I was just a little bit reluctant because of the progress I'd made while I was not on the show. “

According to previous reports, her exclusion from the show was due largely to controversial choices she’s made in the years since wrapping production with MTV. As fans will remember, in 2013 Abraham starred in an X-rated film, which she claims was a sex tape. She then went on to create a line of sex toys. MTV reportedly felt she was a bad example to the network's impressionable audience. However, clips from the upcoming series reveal that producers felt something was missing without Farrah’s story line. She hopes returning to the show will give fans a glimpse into the growth she’s experienced since they last saw her on the “Being Farrah” special.

“It’s good to be back for Sophia’s sake and showing how our lives are to help others,” she said. “And that’s why we’re back.”

The decision to include Abraham came well into filming, giving the rest of the cast little chance to back out. But that doesn’t mean it was well-received. Previews for the show include the reactions of both Bookout and Lowell. In the clips, Lowell and longtime boyfriend Tyler Baltierra are not surprised by the news, while Bookout is seen telling producers, “You guys can leave now. This is over.”

During a sit-down with Us Weekly, the Tennessee native said her reasons for not wanting Abraham on the show were not personal. Still, Bookout said she wasn’t pleased with the decision.

“I’m not going to lie and say I was happy about it,” she revealed. “But, I mean, it’s something that I guess people will just have to watch on the show. And it has nothing to personally do with Farrah at all. I have no hard feelings toward her whatsoever.”

Lowell, who has had personal issues with her in the past, blamed her reaction on a lack of communication. The new mom says she “jumped to conclusions” after outsiders rehashed old issues between the two. She assured Us, however, that they’ve grown up and put the past behind them.

“Teen Mom OG” premieres Monday, March 23, at 10 p.m. EDT on MTV.