Every single person living on this planet lives an individual life. Some people live in cities, some live in the countryside and others live deep in the woods, away from civilization. The latter have become popular choices for the Discovery Channel because it shows the audience mostly relatable characters. Well, at least more relatable than millionaires in Southern California.
Alaskan Bush People follows the daily lives of the Brown family. This family subsists purely off the land, lives in cramped quarters, and doesn't fraternize with civilized society. At least, this is what the producers behind the Alaskan Bush People want you to believe.
While this family does live in the bush currently, there's more to this family than meets the eye. Here's a list of all the secrets they didn't air.
10 Billy Bryan Brown Has A Writing Career
As people who built their life around living in the bush, it's interesting to note that the Brown family patriarch, Billy, wrote a memoir about his life. The book, called "One Wave At A Time", apparently inspired the show! According to rumor, after unsuccessfully trying to sell the book's rights to producers, the Browns came down to Alaska to film it themselves. And the rest, as they say, is history.
9 The Kids Understand And Are Proficient With Technology
As a family living out in the wilderness, in front of the camera, you would think that the Browns wouldn't be the most proficient with technology. Well, you'd be wrong! Son, Gabriel Brown, once posted a Youtube video talking about life outside of the bush, and even doing celebrity impressions. Given the nature of their show, the act is more than a little suspicious. Figuring out technology isn't a bad thing. Just maybe be more honest about it.
8 Billy and Ami Spend More Time Out Of The Bush Than You Would Think
As a follow up to our last point, the Browns might not spend as much time in the bush as they would have you believe. The family's matriarch, Ami, suffers from a form of aggressive arthritis, known as cervical radiculitis, and Billy himself suffers from seizures. Both have needed to leave regularly to receive treatment. Ami has stated that her condition "definitely makes it harder to live there", referring to the bush.
7 Addiction Runs In This Family
As it's probably become obvious, the Browns have quite a few skeletons in their closet, including addiction. Son Matt has struggled with alcoholism for years. His addiction was revealed in snippets on the show during a 2013 DUI and then officially confirmed in 2016 when he left the show to attend rehab. In an interview with People, he told how he "could see [himself] spiraling". In recent seasons, fans have noticed that he seems happier.
6 The Browns Have More Luxury In Their Lives Than We Think
There are many aspects of the Browns' financial situation that directly contradicts what's portrayed on the show. For starters, locals have noticed them staying at the Icy Strait Lodge hotel in Hoonah, Alaska in between filming. And, to add insult to injury, the crew has the same accommodations. Also, shortly after having to pay a hefty fine, the family spent some vacation time in Hawaii. This begs the question: are they richer than we think?
5 This Family Originally Went By A Different Name
The Browns didn't begin marketing themselves as the "Alaskan Bush People" when they first began their television journey. This name was also on a website that was run by some family friends helping them market their books. However, they opted to go by the "Alaskan Wilderness Family". It's implied that their name change is directly related to them getting their television deal. It further implies that their life is for the cameras only.
4 Ami's Past Is Less Than Glamorous
Ami Brown has been through struggles in her life, as well. To begin with, she was a teenage bride when she married Billy. Fifteen years old versus twenty-six...definitely a problem in most places. Surprisingly, her mother gave her permission to marry Billy as long as she finished school. But, as soon as the knot was tied, she cut off all communication with her family and she subsequently dropped out of school.
3 Family Isn't Actually From Alaska
One of the family's dirtiest secrets is that they aren't even Alaskan! Even though the Browns arrived on the continent with their children in the 1980s, they aren't Alaskan natives. Their legal residency is in Colorado and Texas. The only reason that they even showed up in Alaska was to film their biographical documentary. This is especially an issue since the show has been accused of misrepresenting actual Alaskan bush Indigenous communities.
2 They've Done Some System Milking
Despite supposedly having money, the family has been struggling financially. Billy and his son were both found guilty of falsifying government forms to received dividend checks while they were living outside of Alaska. As a result, they received almost $21, 000. Their attempts to strike a deal were shut down and, not only were they jailed for a month, they had to pay a fine. Guess they're not the most wholesome family after all.
1 The Show Has Previously Employed Actors
Now, we understand that people on reality TV shows can be considered actors for how staged their lives are. However, Alaskan Bush People took it a step further and employed an actress! In 2016, Noah Brown went on a date with a girl he had met while the family was off the bush. However, it turns out that it was an actress named Karryna Kauffman. This fact is depressing, to say the least.