Nadya Suleman Recalls Being ‘Interrogated’ by Ann Curry After Welcoming 8 Babies: ‘I Was Not There’

**Nadya Suleman Reflects on Her Controversial Decisions After Welcoming Octuplets**

Nadya Suleman, known to many as the “Octomom,” has been reflecting on the choices she made following the birth of her eight babies. In a recent episode of Lifetime’s documentary series *Confessions of Octomom*, Suleman opened up about her decision to give her first sit-down interview to NBC News journalist Ann Curry shortly after the arrival of her octuplets.

Suleman, now 49, revealed that she chose Ann Curry for her first interview because she was one of the few female journalists available, thinking it would make her feel more comfortable. However, she admitted she wasn’t familiar with Curry’s work prior to the interview and had never watched any of her previous reports. The interview, which aired on *Today* and *Dateline* in 2009, was a challenging experience for Suleman. She recalled feeling stressed about her appearance, having gained 150 pounds during her pregnancy and still being 100 pounds over her normal weight. She also expressed her anxiety about not knowing what questions Curry would ask, as she had never done an interview before.

**The Pressure of Public Scrutiny**

During the interview, Curry asked Suleman to respond to critics who labeled her as “irresponsible and selfish” for having so many children. At the time, Suleman was already a mother to six children in addition to the octuplets. Looking back, Suleman described herself as being in a “foggy” state of mind, still recovering from childbirth and under the influence of pain medication like Vicodin. She admitted she wasn’t mentally lucid during the interview and was overwhelmed by the hormones and emotional turmoil that come with giving birth. “I was not there,” she said, emphasizing that she was in “survival mode” and unable to fully process the questions being asked.

**A Defense Mechanism Against criticism**

Suleman explained that facing such intense public scrutiny immediately after giving birth left her feeling under attack. “When a human is under attack psychologically, they’re not in the frame of mind to be transparent or honest,” she said. “They are going to protect themselves, and I utilized every coping mechanism.” This defensive state of mind made it difficult for her to be open and honest during the interview, as she was primarily focused on shielding herself from the barrage of questions and negative opinions.

**The Blurred Memory of the Interview**

Suleman recently reflected on the interview, describing it as a “blur” and admitted she barely remembers the details. She was in constant defense mode, trying to protect herself from the psychological attack she felt she was under. The interview was set up by the hospital to help her “set the record straight,” but Suleman was more concerned with going home to her children. Her priority was her family, and the interview felt like an added burden during an already overwhelming time.

**Life Today and the Documentary Series**

Fast forward to today, Suleman is now a mother of 14 children, with her octuplets turning 16 this January and her other children ranging in age from 17 to 23. After years out of the public eye, she has resurfaced in the six-part documentary series *Confessions of Octomom*, which provides an intimate look at her life and history. The series aims to show a side of her family that many haven’t seen, offering a deeper understanding of her journey and experiences.

*Confessions of Octomom* is set to air on Lifetime every Monday at 8 p.m. ET. For viewers, it’s an opportunity to see beyond the headlines and understand the complexities of her life as a mother of 14. Suleman hopes that by sharing her story, she can provide a more personal and heartfelt perspective on her experiences, moving beyond the controversies of the past.