Kailyn Lowry’s Son Isaac Comes Out and Changes His Name—Here’s Why He Now Goes by Elliott

Elliott Rivera, who was raised in the vulnerable cocoon of adolescence and in front of a television audience, is changing the way young public figures define themselves. The eldest child of MTV’s Teen Mom 2 alum Kailyn Lowry, who was previously known as Isaac, recently came out as gay and disclosed that he now goes by Elliott, his middle name. The moment came during a reflective, emotionally charged discussion on his mother’s podcast, Barely Famous—a space that provided security, subtlety, and, most importantly, control—rather than with fanfare or paparazzi.

Elliott clarified during the recording that it became more challenging to deal with personal realities after growing up watching television. He mentioned having the impression that his given name no longer accurately reflected who he was. With quiet conviction, he stated, “It just doesn’t feel like me.” He spoke with the kind of blatant honesty that so frequently eludes carefully staged celebrity interviews, rather than with theatrics.

Kailyn Lowry’s Son: Elliott Rivera (formerly Isaac)

Elliott made sure his story wasn’t filtered through clickbait headlines or social media rumors by using the structure of a podcast that his mother controls. The choice of time—during Pride Month—was deliberate and potently symbolic. It supported a decision that many young LGBTQ+ people still find difficult to safely discuss. With this action, Elliott became part of an increasing number of young public figures who are defining themselves instead of being defined by the media, such as JoJo Siwa and Zaya Wade.

The response from Kailyn Lowry was remarkably encouraging. In reference to her son’s romantic life, she said, “It only affects you.” “You love the people you love.” That doesn’t alter my feelings for you. Despite being direct and spontaneous, her response demonstrated a markedly better narrative about raising queer children, which is becoming more and more apparent in American popular culture. Lowry’s support was unreserved and full-bodied, in contrast to the cautious positions of previous decades.

Teen reality TV has catapulted hundreds of personalities into semi-fame in the last ten years. But Elliott’s cautious acceptance of it is what sets him apart. He has over 450,000 Instagram followers and curates posts about music, theater, and ASL. He is gradually expanding his online presence, but he has also been incredibly deliberate about what he shares and when. His message in the podcast episode was about autonomy as much as identity. Given how frequently others have spoken for him, he remarked, “Let me have my moment.”

Being the son of a former MTV celebrity meant that Elliott had to balance being visible and being vulnerable. He struggles not only with public interest but also with preconceived notions influenced by ten years of video. Elliott has started the process of distancing himself from the version of himself that reality TV once fabricated by incorporating emotional awareness with his new identity.

Kailyn and Elliott have successfully rewritten the frequently invasive narrative surrounding growing up on screen by employing strategic communication choices. Having grown into a mother, Kailyn, who was only 17 when Elliott was born, no longer allows drama to influence her writing. She is now a published author, a podcast host, and an advocate for maternal autonomy. She does, however, exhibit the greatest development in her reaction to Elliott’s reintroduction, choosing compassion over criticism and protection over performance.

Stories like Elliott’s are especially helpful in the context of LGBTQ+ youth mental health. Adolescents who experience family acceptance are much less likely to attempt suicide, according to the Trevor Project. In addition to helping her child, Kailyn is setting an example of modern, healthy parenting that others can follow by publicly expressing support and confirming Elliott’s identity.

It seems that Elliott and his father, Jo Rivera, have a more complicated relationship. Elliott said in a follow-up interview that Jo’s response to his coming out was “very awkward.” That admission’s nuance, which is neither deprecatory nor sugarcoated, captures the messy nature of family dynamics in real life. It draws attention to the frequently unsaid emotional adjustments that take place when a person’s identity collides with societal expectations and generational divides.

Elliott’s participation in this public event has allowed him to influence people far beyond his age range. He has come to represent agency rather than rebellion. He has a very diverse presence in conversation, on stage, and online. He’s already showing how teen voices can be especially creative when given the chance and room to develop, regardless of whether he chooses to pursue acting, advocacy, or content creation.

In a recent interview, Kailyn herself stated that she sees in Elliott the same internal conflict that she experienced as a teenager. She stated, “He wants to keep some aspects of himself private, but he loves the community he’s built online.” Teens who are raised digitally, particularly those who are dependent on celebrity parents, are more likely to exhibit this duality. By carefully establishing boundaries, Elliott is not only surviving that tug-of-war but also guiding it.

Kailyn has discovered methods to stay relevant since leaving reality TV without relying on her past traumas. She has featured important stories on her podcast and invited guests from a variety of backgrounds. Her encounters with Elliott, however, are distinct. They show how a parent can adjust to their child’s changing identity without putting their own discomfort front and center, which is something more honest and possibly more educational.