Courtney Stodden Opens Up About Divorce from Doug Hutchison: 'This Is a New Chapter in My Life'

Update: In April 2021, Courtney Stodden announced that they are non-binary and use they/them pronouns. This content was written in December 2020 before they publicly announced their gender identity.

Courtney Stodden has filed for divorce from husband Doug Hutchison after almost seven years of marriage.

“This is a new chapter in my life. New beginnings and a fresh start. I’m pouring my heart into my music — and using that as a conduit to tell my story and share who I really am deep down,” she tells PEOPLE in an exclusive statement. “I’ve been through so much while being in the entertainment world and I’ve created an image that is almost bigger than life. I’m getting back to that girl underneath the persona and eager for people to get to know the real me through my songs.”

The Celebrity Big Brother alum, 23, filed for divorce on Tuesday and is requesting that the court deny Hutchison, 57, spousal support, according to court documents obtained by The Blast.

The couple married in May 2011 when Stodden was 16 and the actor was 51. The pair separated in late 2016.

Representatives for Stodden and The Green Mile star did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Stodden spoke to PEOPLE about their split in February 2017, saying she and Hutchison were legally separated but had not signed divorce papers.

“We are legally separated … it’s only been, like, two and a half months,” Stodden said at the time. “I’m also trying to take things slow because I love him and it’s really hard on him … it’s extremely sensitive.”

In 2016, Stodden suffered a miscarriage with the couple’s first child, a situation she said “deeply” affected their marriage

In January, Stodden publicly pleaded for a reconciliation with Hutchison on Instagram.

Doug Hutchison and Courtney Stodden

“I need this man back in my life,” she captioned the photo. “I need him to come help me. I need him to want our marriage to work. He’s been my only solid rock. Doug, if you read this — this is a public cry for your undying love.”

She followed up her initial social media plea with an emotional video of herself crying as she explained her current situation with Hutchison to fans.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc0nClKF1zv/?utm_source=ig_embed

“So, obviously, I’ve been crying — again,” she said. “I just want to be honest with you guys about some things. Me and my husband have been going through a really rough time — separation, and ultimately divorce, coming up in a week. I’ve, at the last minute, realized that I don’t want it and I want to try to make things work.”

“Ever since we’ve been separated and he’s moved away, I’ve been really depressed and I’ve realized that I don’t deserve him,” she continued, crying. “I love him so much and I need him back in my life. I just need him to come help me and be with me and I love him.”

In her caption, Stodden said the split has been “rough” to deal with.

“Everyone goes through s— … this is mine,” she wrote. “You aren’t alone.”