Former Teen Mom star Mackenzie Edwards may have already moved on from her estranged husband, Ryan Edwards, as she is reportedly dating a 30-year-old recently divorced father of two named Josh Panter. Mackenzie filed for divorce from Ryan in February 2023 after he accused her of cheating on him and went on multiple Instagram tirades.
A source revealed that Mackenzie and Josh have been dating since at least January 2023 and that Josh has been a “crutch” for Mackenzie amid her impending divorce from Ryan. Josh is a farmer who works at Stetley Excavating and shares two young children, Nevley and Stetson, with his ex-wife, Brooklynn Panter. Josh and Brooklynn’s divorce was finalized in February 2023, the same month Mackenzie filed for divorce from Ryan.
Several outlets have investigated and found photos linking Mackenzie Edwards to Josh via his mom, Cindy Panter. Cindy posted a photo to Instagram in February 2023, depicting herself and Mackenzie posing in front of an Uptown Cheapskate store. Cindy posted the same photo to her Facebook page, tagging Mackenzie in the post. In the comments section, one of Cindy’s followers wrote, “The teen mom star! Ryan’s wife!” Interestingly, in response, Cindy wrote, “Yes but not Ryan’s wife anymore.”
According to the Teen Mom fan account, Teen Mom Fanz on Instagram, Ryan’s parents, Jen and Larry Edwards, are unhappy about Mackenzie’s blossoming relationship. Teen Mom Fanz’s source tells the outlet that Jen and Larry have accused Mackenzie Edwards of entering into a relationship with Josh before ending things with their son, Ryan.
It remains to be seen whether there is any truth to Ryan’s claims that Mackenzie Edwards was unfaithful during their nearly six-year-long marriage. The Sun also reported that Ryan was living in a shed behind his and Mackenzie’s Tennessee home ahead of Mackenzie filing for divorce.
Although Mackenzie and Josh don’t follow each other on Instagram, they are Facebook friends. Mackenzie is listed as one of Josh’s 2,121 friends under her maiden name, Mackenzie Standifer.
