Great BreakDown of a February Olivia Plath Interview
Olivia grew up believing that California was an evil place.
The interviewer pointed out that the show started with the older Plath children wanting to move away from the strict religious upbringing but now it seems that only Olivia is still wanting that distance. Olivia specifically notes that Moriah mostly dresses and eats different rather digging deep into family dysfunction and other more meaningful beliefs.
Olivia watched the first 3 seasons and stopped at season 4 because she felt that was a dark time and did not stand by some of her actions. It would have been a hard rewatch for her.
Olivia realized she was dissatisfied with life at age 14 or 15 but did not know why. She then realized she had no deep emotional connections. Around that time, she cut her hair to her shoulders and began wearing eyeliner (which was a no-no in her home). At 16 or 17, she apologized to her father and the church via a spoken letter.
Olivia met Ethan at a family conference. Years later, Ethan wrote a letter to Olivia's father. Olivia's father then called Kim (note: not Barry!) to discuss. The two families agreed that Ethan and Olivia could talk on Skype for one hour every three months.
Olivia has been dating! It is hard for her to get past the first date. She has been struggling with shame due to growing up in purity culture.
In regards to the statement Ethan made about how Olivia should be making 3 meals a day, more was said but cut out due to TLC avoiding politics. Olivia now asks men right off the bat if they cook.
The interviewer was confused when first watch the show. He did not understand why such a "pure" family would want reality tv fame. He then asked how Ethan and Olivia were approached with the idea.
Kim invited TLC to film Olivia and Ethan's wedding without asking because she knew Olivia would say no. It was not shown on the show, because to release, it required Ethan and Olivia's consent too. Ethan and Olivia then made a list of requirements to join the TV show. At this time, Olivia and Ethan could not see the siblings. In order to do the show, seeing the kids was added to the list.
Olivia will be in Season 6. She wants viewers to see what happens when someone actually walks away from the fundie lifestyle.
Olivia loves the TLC crew.
Olivia talks about the initial separation she had with Ethan. Ethan agreed they could live in 3 different places in 3 years.
Ethan agreed to marriage counseling during the first separation. He went to three sessions and then quit.
Olivia said Ethan said if his hypothetical son came out as gay, he would disown him. Olivia is strongly opposed to that.
Ethan tried to get her back during the divorce process but Olivia was not interested. They did not have any relationship at this point.
The Plaths allegedly had a party when they found out about the divorce.
Ethan is still very close with Nathan Meggs, Olivia's brother. Ethan heavily leaned on Nathan during the divorce, which affect Olivia's relationship with her brother.
Olivia still has a relationship with Ethan's extended family in Minnesota.
Olivia is willing to have a conversation with some Plaths to connect the storylines. Olivia said, "if this turns into a circus, I'm walking away" (quoting Moriah's song about her lol).
Olivia said WTP was not producer driven, rather "cast-members" drove the narratives of each season.
Olivia said 2023 was a tough year. In March, she split from Ethan. In May, her younger brother died unexpectedly and she had to see the Meggs family with whom she's estranged. In this February 2024 interview, she says she now has peace.
Olivia had not seen her family of origin in years, specifically her parents. Her parents have blocked her and all other siblings who have left the fold. She has not been able to talk to her youngest siblings, even her brother who died.
Lydia Meggs helped Olivia through their brother's death and funeral.
She is looking for a man who is okay for it to not be a forever thing.
