Reality television star Bella Robertson is speaking candidly for the first time about her and husband Jacob Mayo’s ongoing struggle with infertility.

According to the Christian Post, the young couple’s decision to go public with their story will be featured on “Duck Dynasty: The Revival,” the upcoming A&E series that revisits the lives of the Robertson family following the success of their original show.

Bella, 22, and Jacob, 26, have been married since June 2021, when they tied the knot in a Louisiana farm ceremony. Since then, they’ve faced persistent questions from fans about when they plan to start a family—questions they say have been emotionally difficult as they navigate fertility challenges in private.

As the daughter of Willie and Korie Robertson, stars of the original A&E series “Duck Dynasty,” Bella has been in the public eye since childhood. The show ran from 2012 to 2017 for 11 seasons, drawing wide national attention to the Louisiana-based family known for their hunting empire and strong Christian values.

Now, with “Duck Dynasty: The Revival” set to debut, Bella and Jacob are choosing to pull back the curtain on a deeply personal part of their lives, hoping their openness will create space for others facing similar hardships.

A Rare Glimpse Into Private Emotions

“We share a story of infertility in the show, and that’s something that we haven’t shared publicly that much,” Bella said. “But that's something that others just don’t know.” This marks the first time the couple has chosen to address the topic with television audiences or on social media.

Jacob echoed her sentiments, saying the experience of trying to start a family hasn’t been easy. “I wish getting pregnant and having kids were as easy as people act like it is,” he said.

He described the public perception that family planning is simple as inaccurate, saying it’s often assumed that “if we want to wait, we get to choose to wait.” Challenging that belief, he added, “It’s not that simple.”

Opening Up Amid Public Expectations

Their decision to share their struggle was not made lightly. Bella said it “was not an easy decision” and that initially, they had no intention of bringing the topic into the new series. But as production on the revival continued, it began to feel right.

“This is just one of the ways that we are showing up and being our authentic selves on this new show,” Bella said. For her, authenticity carried an obligation. “If we could help anybody—what are the odds that we’re on this stage where we can share something so real for so many?” she added.

The couple also addressed the pain of online comments and repeated questions from fans about having children. “When people comment about us having kids, we’re like, ‘Trust me, you don’t have to ask us,’” Bella said.

Infertility: A Common Yet Private Struggle

Despite its emotional impact, infertility is far from rare. According to the World Health Organization, about one in six adults worldwide experiences some form of infertility.

In the United States alone, roughly 11% of women and 9% of men of reproductive age face infertility issues, statistics that frame the Robertsons’ experience within a context familiar to millions.

Bella spoke about how little people may understand what others are going through, especially when their only exposure is through curated social media images. “When you just look at someone on social media, you can’t know what anyone’s going through,” she said.

Voices of Solidarity From Other Communities

The couple’s vulnerability has resonated with others who have gone through similar journeys. DawnCheré Wilkerson, a speaker and co-pastor of VOUS Church in Florida, recently opened up about her and her husband’s eight-year experience with infertility.

According to Wilkerson, the emotional weight of infertility can lead people to isolate themselves. “It was a very personal journey,” she said. “And I discovered in the wait that it's the temptation for all of us to isolate and think we can just handle it on our own.”

Wilkerson now has four children and encourages others to seek out community during their most difficult moments. “It’s not about the words that are said but about having people who love you stand with you.”

A Platform for Purpose and Representation

Jacob runs a business called General Vintage Clothing, but unlike his professional life, this personal aspect had remained largely private until now. Through their roles in the show’s revival, he and Bella hope to foster greater awareness and compassion.

Bella emphasized the importance of being thoughtful in how others speak about something as complex as family-building. “I think people just don’t know what they’re talking about or who they’re talking to,” she said.

As the premiere of “Duck Dynasty: The Revival” approaches, their story stands out as a reminder of the challenges many people face behind the scenes—and the value of meeting those stories with sensitivity, not assumptions.