All The Ways Moriah Plath Rebels From Her Parents' Conservative Lifestyle On 'Welcome To Plathville'
She wants to go to college.
We are captivated by TLC's Welcome to Plathville. Kim and Barry Plath and their nine children are a family band and the latest example of a large, conservative, religious, traditional family for us to watch. Who is Moriah Plath? She is the fourth of the nine Plath children and the second oldest daughter.
In a recent episode, Moriah sat down with her mom to talk about college. Kim Plath expressed worry that Moriah would fall under the wrong influences in a college environment. The Plath kids are being raised free of influence from the modern world. They don't watch TV. Their computer time is limited to schoolwork. They are homeschooled. Moriah's older sister Hosanna got married soon after finishing her schooling. Presumably, Kim has this life in mind for Moriah too. But here's where Moriah becomes the most interesting member of the Plath family: Though they are technology-free, she has an Instagram account.
We've already explored the rumors about Moriah being emancipated and living in Minnesota. Let's dive a bit deeper into who she is and how she's shaking up her family on the show Welcome to Plathville.
1. Who is Moriah Plath?
Moriah, 17, is the lead singer for the Plath Family Band. The band, as the name suggests, is made up of the 11 Plath family members. The entire family is musically inclined and plays various instruments. She also loves ballroom dancing. Anyone who has watched the show knows that Moriah is bristling under her parents' control and trying to spread her wings. In other words, she's a typical teenager in an atypical situation.
2. She spent Thanksgiving with her sister-in-law Olivia, not her parents.
Plath sparked discussion about her potential break from her family (and all the emancipation chatter) when she didn't spend Thanksgiving with her parents and siblings on the family farm. Instead, Moriah had Thanksgiving dinner with Olivia Plath, her brother Ethan's wife. Fans of the show know that Olivia is making waves in the Plath family because she wasn't raised as conservative as the Plaths. She's been a good role model for Moriah as she spreads her wings.
On her Instagram, Moriah posted a photo with Olivia and wrote: I’m thankful for a million things this thanksgiving but I am so thankful for this gem. Olivia thank you being there for me in the times when I’ve needed you most. I am blessed to know you for the real and beautiful you and you certainly know me for the wild and crazy girl i am. I love you sis! Happy thanksgiving."
3. Moriah is living her best life and posting on Instagram about it.
For a family that doesn't do technology, (seriously, Lydia didn't know who Spider-Man is) Moriah sure has an active Instagram. Her first post was on July 17, 2019. Recent posts reveal she was in a recording studio, frolicking on the beach, working out at the gym, hanging out and being goofy with a boy, and attending a Carrie Underwood concert. All of those things, except for the recording studio, are things Kim and Barry Plath would probably not approve of, given how Christian, conservative and traditional they are and how they've sheltered their children for their entire lives.
4. She's the rebel of the Plath family.
Moriah is the life of the party in the Plath family. While Lydia does what her mom says — like all the cooking and cleaning — Moriah challenges her parents. Moriah's father Barry describes her as "opinionated." Moriah has been open about the fact that she doesn't agree with her parents' way of life. She said: “Nothing against my parents, but I don’t agree with everything they say and think.”
5. Moriah is an actress.
I mean, one could argue that all of the Plaths (and all reality TV people) are actors, sort of. But Moriah actually is! She appeared as the character Brittany in the short film You Should Be There. The film is about a man who must choose between helping a woman having a baby or helping his runaway daughter. The film was released on November 2, 2018. It is her debut film.
Isn't it interesting that the Plath kids aren't allowed to watch TV, yet Moriah appeared in a short film?
6. Is she going to college?
Moriah first caught our attention in the episode where she asked her mom if they could talk about thinking about her going to college. Moriah eventually revealed that she planned to go to a nearby college and visit home often, but Kim was concerned and said: "Everywhere you go there are just pornography and junk." Nonetheless, Moriah's Instagram features a snap of her posing on a fountain at Stetson University's DeLand campus in Florida. We're eager to find out if Moriah will get to spread her wings and go to college!
Amy Lamare is a writer covering entertainment, pop culture, beauty, fashion, fitness, technology, and the intersection of technology, business, and philanthropy. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook.