Season 13 of the hit TLC reality series
In the highly anticipated Season 13 premiere of My Big Fat Fabulous Life, Whitney Way Thore takes viewers on a deeply personal and emotional ride as she begins her search for a sperm donor to become a mother. First, we catch Whitney and her friends huddled around her laptop, navigating a sperm bank database with both curiosity and apprehension. “Filter by personal preferences… hair color,” she muses aloud, teasingly likening the process to a high-stakes dating app—with genetics in place of romance—a sentiment that rings true with many hopeful parents-eyeing donor profiles
Then, turning reflective, she admits she’s not volume-it picky about appearance—or at least she tries not to be. “Red hair’s fine,” she laughs when a friend jokes about filtering out redheads. Yet, with sincerity and a thoughtful pause, Whitney reveals her non-negotiables: a healthy genetic background and no inherited conditions
Moving forward, she delves into height preferences. At 5’2”, Whitney expresses her hope for a child who won’t face the same challenges she has, gingerly setting a preference for donors at least 5’7” . Her honesty here is refreshing—a true TLC moment where vulnerability meets empowerment.
As the browsing continues, Whitney’s lighthearted narration gives way to more introspection. “Picking a sperm donor is absolutely the most overwhelming thing I have ever experienced,” she confesses. “It’s like a dating app on steroids… I’m picking literally the father of my child.” In that instant, this journey becomes more than medical—it’s profoundly emotional and highly relatable
However, the stakes escalate. In a preview clip shared ahead of the premiere, Whitney shares that the donor search is just step one. Next, she pursues another serious medical milestone: preparing for artificial insemination. At 41 years old—and doing this all solo—she undergoes a womb wash, calling it “the most intentional act” she’s ever taken to get pregnant . She admits, with both determination and a hint of nervous laughter, that “there’s no going back now”—this is truly a life-changing leap .
Ultimately, Whitney’s journey in this premiere is a blend of heart, hope, and unfiltered reality. It highlights everything TLC fans cherish: bold self-love, candid life moments, and her signature charm as she navigates challenges head-on.
So, as Season 13 kicks off, brace yourself for a deeply moving exploration of Whitney’s next chapter—full of fierce determination and the real-life courage that has made My Big Fat Fabulous Life a fan-favorite. Tune in Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on TLC—and get ready to cheer her on every step of the way!