The Untold Truth Of Tori Roloff
Little People, Big World is getting a little smaller. On July 10, 2018, Jeremy Roloff made a big announcement on Instagram. "After 14 years, over 300 episodes, and 17 seasons, the time has come," he explained, "A year ago I made the decision that this season would be our last." Jeremy, along with his wife, Audrey, and their young daughter, Ember, will no longer star on the show, but Jeremy said he "will still be supporting [his] family" as they continue filming.
After hearing the unexpected news of their departure, many fans began to wonder if Jeremy's twin brother, Zach, would make a similar decision. Have no fear, LPBW fans! Zach's wife, Tori Roloff, cleared up matters. "We're not going anywhere!" Tori reassured fans in an Instagram story (via Fox News). So, why isn't the couple following Jeremy and Audrey's lead? "Because we feel like we're not done telling our story," said Tori. Oooh. Now that's exciting. But, just what do we know of her story so far? Here's the untold truth of Tori Roloff.
It all began with picking squash
It feels like just yesterday that Zach and Tori Roloff said "I do," but, in actuality, they wed back in July 2015. Prior to their meeting, Zach told People that marriage wasn't occupying much space in his mind. Not only that, but he'd never really dated anyone until Tori came along.
Their epic love story began when Tori had been hired to work on the Roloff family's farm. In 2010, Tori spent most of the pumpkin season alongside Zach and they had a chance to bond — while picking squash. She was working, after all. When a coworker informed Tori that Zach found her "cute" — or perhaps gourd-geous? — but didn't think she'd go for him, Tori proved him wrong by arranging a date. "Our first date lasted five hours, and we've been together ever since," she gushed to People. Just another reason to be thankful for pumpkin season, right?
She was terrified to be on TV
When Tori made the decision to date Zach, there was certainly a lot at stake. As a longtime reality TV star, much of Zach's life had already been playing out on television screens across the United States for many years. This could potentially become Tori's life, too, if she pursued a relationship with Zach. Making the leap from farmhand to television star would have its perks, sure, but it was still a very weighty decision, and certainly not for everyone. It initially scared the bejesus out of Tori. The pressure was — and likely still is — intense.
In an interview with People, Tori shared what it was like to first star in Little People, Big World, saying, "We're such a unique pairing, and we have a really cool story to share, but it was terrifying." She continued, "But the show has helped me realize I shouldn't worry about what other people think."
She doesn't mind being taller than her husband
While Tori, as an average-height person, didn't have qualms about dating Zach, a little person, that doesn't mean others were automatically accepting. In an Instagram post, Tori shared a story about one such instance. While shopping at Target, Tori overheard a man tell his wife, "Well at least I'm taller than you." The wife responded, saying, "Well I would hope so."
Tori went on to explain how some people "have the idea of beauty and love so backwards." Her love for Zach extends far beyond looks and is, instead, measured by what kind of person he is on the inside. To overlook a person on account of their height certainly was not something that resonated with Tori and something she didn't feel she could really even imagine. Tori joked that her husband's height also gives her a good excuse to avoid having to wear heels and reminded her followers to "love people because of their minds. Not their bodies." Preach!
She wanted to be a parent no matter what
In May 2017, Zach and Tori welcomed their first child, son Jackson Kyle Roloff, into the world. Before becoming parents, the couple was aware that their child would have a 50 percent chance of inheriting dwarfism. During Tori's 34-week ultrasound, they learned their son would indeed have achondroplasia, the most common and same form of dwarfism as Zach.
In a clip shared by TLC, Zach explained some of the potential birthing complications. "The baby's an LP [little person]," Zach shared, "and its head's measuring a little big so, you know, natural birth... can be a dangerous thing." The couple knew that difficulties beyond birth would also arise. Nevertheless, they made the decision they felt was best. "We knew our chances of having a dwarf, but it didn't matter," Tori explained to People after the birth of her son, "We just knew we wanted to be parents, however God wanted it to happen."
She is close with her parents
Thankfully for the new mother, Tori has a great support system. It takes a village, as they say. On Tori's personal Instagram account, she's shared just what her family members mean to her. In a heartwarming and adorable post for Mother's Day in 2018, Tori addressed her mom, writing, "I would be one lost human being without you." Tori added, "Becoming a mother this year has only given me a glimpse of the amount of love you have poured into your kids and I'm so thankful for your patience and support."
Similarly, Tori thanked her father, and "all the important fathers" in her life, on Father's Day in 2017. "I wouldn't be who I am today without you," Tori shared. She explained that she grows even more appreciative of her dad when she watches him interact with baby Jackson. If you're wondering how you're going to top those endearing posts, it will be quite a feat!
She a diehard "12th man"
The Roloff family farm is located in the state of Oregon, about 30 miles west of Portland. This means the Roloffs live in one of several states that don't actually have its own NFL team. Nevertheless, Forbes reported that Oregonians — yes, that's a thing — in nearly half of the state root for Washington's NFL team, Seattle Seahawks, while the majority of Oregonians root for various different teams. Tori Roloff is part of the former, and her allegiance as a "12th man" is crystal clear.
In an Instagram post, the mother of one shared a photo of baby Jackson wearing a tiny little Seahawks onesie. "Because it's never too early to start 'em off right," she told her followers. Though it was only June when she shared the picture of her son, it was clear that Tori was already looking forward to the coming football season — and pumpkin season, too... right Tori?
She believes in the magic of Disney
Disney World is the most magical place on earth — just ask Tori. After she and Zach married, the couple set off for their "#disneymoon" wearing coordinating Disney-themed Mr. and Mrs. sweatshirts. Tori and Zach have since gone back to experience Disney together — though this time to Disneyland, and with the addition of a little one. In a throwback photo shared on her Instagram, Tori wrote that she was already missing Disney just after coming home. If you've been to either Disneyland or Disney World, you likely know that feeling.
"Disney has a way of resetting me for real life. I lost myself for a week in magic and fun and made the best memories with my family and friends," Tori elaborated on her love of the parks. Quite the experienced Disney-goer, Tori even offered to answer fans' questions about traveling to Disneyland and encouraged them to reach out on social media.
She's Etsy-level crafty
There doesn't seem to be much Tori can't do. From working on a farm to teaching kindergarten to even running her own online shop, Tori's got this career thing figured out. She offers printable posters in her Etsy shop, Z and T Creations by Tori, and as her Instagram proves, she even takes her show on the road every once and a while to sell her art at festivals.
While some digital calligraphed artwork out there is made using computer-generated fonts, that's not the case with Tori's craft. In a video she shared on her shop's Instagram page, Tori can be seen hand-lettering — and completely freehand! No stencils in sight. She explained to fans about her work, writing, "I haven't taken any formal classes, I've just always been into calligraphy and my background as a teacher has definitely helped." Tori has been practicing for six years and considers calligraphy her "zen place." Props, girl!
No, she's not pregnant with baby number two
As it (unfortunately) happens, almost as soon as Tori had her son, fans were asking about baby number two. Tori shared a picture of her with baby Jackson on social media in April 2018, some fans began speculating that she was pregnant again. The reason for their suspicion? Her hands were resting on her stomach in the snap — gasp!
Tori decided to, once and for all, put an end to the constant questions involving her uterus. In an Instagram story (via Good Housekeeping), Tori wrote, "No I am not pregnant. That is just my burrito from yesterday. Kthanksbye." Savage! Whether Tori plans to have more children or just more burritos, you can rest assured that fans will be tuning in to see how the lives of the Roloffs unfold — at least for as long as they are willing to let us.