Courtney Stodden Advocates for California Child Marriage Ban

Model Courtney Stodden is actively supporting a California bill aimed at banning child marriage without any exceptions. Her advocacy gained renewed attention after actor Jason Alexander apologized for a 2012 sketch involving Stodden, filmed when she was 17. Stodden calls for accountability and legislative support to end child marriage in the state.

The Background on Stodden’s Marriage at 16

Stodden first attracted international attention in 2011 by marrying Doug Hutchison, best known for his role in The Green Mile. At the time, Stodden was 16 while Hutchison was 51. The marriage was legal with parental consent, but they divorced in 2020. Now 31, Stodden campaigns against child marriage, which remains legal in 33 U.S. states under certain circumstances, like parental consent or judicial waivers.

California’s Legislative Efforts

Assembly Bill 1267, which proposes a minimum marriage age of 18 without exceptions, passed through the California Assembly and is under consideration by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Stodden is among the prominent supporters of this bill, authored by Assemblymembers Diane Dixon and others. If enacted, it would reform the state’s current laws that allow minors to marry.

Data from the 2021 U.S. Census analyzed by Unchained At Last shows that more than 8,000 children in California, mostly girls, were married within the past year. The United Nations categorizes marriages involving individuals under 18 as forced marriages, given the lack of full, free, and informed consent by children.

Jason Alexander’s Apology

The discussion around Stodden resurfaced when she addressed a 2012 comedy sketch involving Jason Alexander. In the sketch, Alexander, who co-wrote it, made suggestive jokes while rubbing a phone on Stodden’s chest. Reflecting on it, Stodden expressed regret for how minors were exploited for adult humor, emphasizing the need for protective laws for children.

On Wednesday, Alexander publicly apologized for the sketch, recognizing it as inappropriate and regretting any harm caused to Stodden. Stodden appreciated the public apology but noted that a private apology and concrete actions, such as supporting AB 1267, would mean more.

Stodden’s Ongoing Activism

Since her divorce, Stodden has spoken out about feeling groomed and verbally abused during her marriage. She believes that by addressing these issues publicly, she can contribute to societal change. Stodden’s story was depicted in the 2025 television movie “I Was a Child Bride,” and she has appeared on shows like Celebrity Big Brother.

Stodden’s advocacy continues as AB 1267 advances in the California Legislature. She encourages supporters to maintain pressure, emphasizing her commitment to outlaw child marriage in California without any exceptions.