Octomom Brings 9 of Her Kids Along for Chaotic 'TODAY' Visit (Video)

By Kiki Von Glinow Posted Jul 8th 2011 10:45AM

It was more like an inside look at sheep herding than a sit down interview when Octomom, Nadya Suleman, brought her 2-year-old octuplets and nine-year-old daughter, Amara, to the 'Today' show as Ann Curry attempted to wrangle a few children and some answers from the tabloid sensation mother.

Falling over set lights, drawing on desks or hiding behind stage walls, the talk show host and Suleman had their hands full to say the least. At one point, one little one even fell into a stage light as a shocked and concerned Curry began yelling, "No, no, no" before jumping up to help the two-year-old. Later two of the children sprinted from the set before both Curry (who was having difficulty carrying her question cards and a squirming toddler) and Suleman came back to finally get down to business regarding the Octomom's financial situation.

It takes nearly $15,000 per month to support Suleman's 14 children and until recently, the Octomom claims that she was not paid for her appearances or interviews. Hoping to change that, she recently hired a manager to help land paying "odd jobs," including celebrity boxing matches, to contribute to her monthly bills. But Suleman's 'celebrity' gigs come in addition to the income she earns for being a personal trainer -- a job she believes helps her deal with the guilt from involuntarily putting her young children's lives under a microscope.

"That's been my way to self-medicate, through exercise," Suleman explained as a way to cope with the death threats she has received and the panic attacks they cause.

Before Suleman landed management representation and her fitness gig, she was forced to lower her standard when it came to making quick cash to support her 14 children as a single mom. Although the Octomom, who bears a striking and controversial resemblance to actress Angelina Jolie, says she cannot linger on regret, she does admit to having made poor choices in her past, including signing on for a fetish video in which she sports bondage gear and cracks a whip on a man wearing a diaper.

"I personally cannot waste my energy fixating on the past and my past choices, regardless if they were good or bad choices ... Learn to grow as a result of your choices, own and accept the responsibility of your choices and look forward because if you look back, what are you going to do, stab me? You're just going to stab me forever and grow old."

But her past gigs, although some may lack a moral code, have helped Suleman keep her head above tough financial waters or worse -- according to Suleman -- going on public aid.

"I've never in my life been on [public assistance], and I never would," she told Curry. "I would feel like a failure as a mother and as a human being."

We get that Suleman refuses to go on public assistance but what about some private aid? Although she told Curry that the reason why her little ones were so rambunctious during the live interview was that they only had two hours of sleep during their travels to the New York interview, we can't imagine how Suleman is able to take care of 14 children on a daily basis.

"I'm so happy I don't have nannies," she said. "It's harder, but I feel so much stronger. I forced myself to pull out strengths I never knew I possessed."

The Octomom, who finds time to climb 40 miles/week on a stair climbing machine, starts her day at 5:30 AM and is in the middle of potty training her eight two-and-a-half-year-olds. But Suleman believes it is precisely because of her single status that she gets such a bad rap as a mom.

"If I had a mate, that would have defused a lot of the animosity," she said. "I'm the ultimate societal scapegoat, I believe."

That "animosity" is exactly where Suleman believes a recent In Touch magazine article that claimed she said, "I hate babies. They disgust me. My older kids are animals. I can't discipline them," came from. Suleman divulged that she is considering suing the magazine for slander.

"I think they should retract it because it's all slander," she said. "I love my children. I would do anything for my kids."

With eight toddlers to potty train, we have a feeling that Suleman's lawsuit will be getting more than a little cool on the back burner.

Tags: nadya suleman

Comments

(398)

Friday 08 July

By Oz

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Actually, while I don't agree with her choices, it's not the train wreck I thought it would be. For a bunch of two year olds, they did surprisingly little damage to the set. Plus, she was talking to a reporter...anyone knows with toddlers, it's hard to carry on a conversation and watch them at the same time.

I also disagree with some of the others on this board...at least her kids are alive and healthy. I think she's delusional about what it takes to financially stay on top of things, but I don't doubt that she loves her kids.

By geldonski

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

There you go Today Show. Give this woman exactly what she wants, publicity. She is laughing at you fools all the way to the bank.

By Krismar

Vote down Vote up Report this

She did not receive fee for being on this program

By kerry wenrich

I don't know what she was thinking having all those kids on the set with her they were no doubt out of control I think ann curry should have saw that as a sign the interview wasn't gonna go as she hoped it would and stopped it in it's tracks

By rini

she has more that the kids that were on the show she has 14 total. where does she get her money one guess is from us idiots out here that pay to watch this. She probly go a good buck from the today show and probly there are people out there that feel sorry for her and give her money. The one good thing is that the doctor lost his license. I can see helping someone out and does not have kids.

By Kay

When she had the octuplets a website was set up for people to donate money for expenses. She probably gets money that way still. Plus all her "odd jobs" - I can't believe she has time to be a "personal trainer." She has 6 older children and then the 8 2 year olds for a total of 14 children. Not sure if the 9 year old is the oldest of the first 6 but probably is.

By boB Hensler

Single Mom, 8 infants, 6 other sibs. And all you can say is her tots run wild? I'm not sure what your agenda is, but it sucks. Think you (who are probably single) could raise 14 kids? All of them seemingly healthy, all of them well dressed and clean?

Monday 11 July

By BelleStarr

Actually, there is more to being a parent than having clean clothes. The unfortunate people who had to share the airplane ride home said the dirty diaper stink would make your eyes water.

By Ljack

I could watch Anne Curry do anything.

By jeannie

The kids look great. They are behaving like healthy, active 2 year olds and Nadya seems to be doing a good job -- even though I am predisposed to judge her and disapprove of her choices -- the good news is that these kids are doing great. Also, her nine year old daughter seems squared away and not overly co-opted into a junior mommy role. I also did not see any of the normal fighting between toddlers. I'm sure it happens from time to time, but for the most part these kiddos presented as pleasant, flexible and energetic. Believe me, one toddler on a studio set can be enough to set everyone into chaos -- this was not a normal play area or setting.

By stinkfistula

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Two items......Glad you left Today Meredith?
and where's some duct tape when you need it?

Saturday 09 July

By thegrrrr8est

Where is Child Protective Services? Why are these children still living with this publicity hoar?

By dave

She makes me sick!

By Lance

I remember when the "Today Show" had dignity and covered news items that mattered. Matt Lauer is the new Maury Povich.

By Jeannie

Anyone who has been around a two year old would recognize that these kids look great and behave appropriately for their age. They were also exceptional because I did not hear whining, screeching, or see any fighting, hair pulling or biting. The nine year old girl was lovely and squared away/calm. I was impressed. I have never "approved" of Nadya on numerous fronts and glorifiying single motherhood is ill-advised. But she was surprisingly articulate and the kids look fantastic. Just being honest. I was all ready for this to be a train wreck and have to admit that the family looks healthy!

By jme

why does the host keep cutting off Nadia....that was wery rude....Nadia handled and touched them gently

By Mary

How much did she make off that interview?

Did you even watch the video? NADA, ZERO, Zilch.

By pete

The producers, staff, and "stars" of Today should be ashamed of themselves for bringing this stupid woman back into the public eye. At a time when people are having trouble keeping food on their own table Today is rubbing our nose in the fact that this person has never worked, has no skills, and is living off the public dole whether she admits it or not.

By Trish05

Pete.... You are a moron, and a lot of you people on here, are, right along with you. You probably don't live in California, so, you aren't contributing to their support, as well as the rest of you on here. She did go to a college, I believe she has her Masters degree, do you?? I think some of the crap written on here, is really hitting below the belt, for example, "where's the duct tape, when you need it!!" That just goes to show, what type of mentality a lot of these people that write that crap, like hurting those children, you people are nutz!! You didn't have those babies, why are you sitting in judgement?? God doesn't like UGLY, and you people are ugly. Leave that family alone, and keep your two cents to yourselves!! Your opinion isn't even worth that much!!!

Page 6 of 20