Fans were curious about the status of Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Johnston and Brice Bolden’s newborn daughter—specifically, whether she was a member of the little people community or not. The speculation arose due to Liz’s dwarfism and the prevalence of shows like 7 Little Johnstons, The Little Couple, and Little People, Big World. However, it seems that their daughter, Leighton Drew, is not a dwarf, as her length at birth was confirmed to be 19 inches. Typically, newborns with dwarfism tend to measure between 12 to 13 inches on average.
This topic sparked controversy in the comments section of the family’s Instagram accounts. Some viewers questioned whether it was inappropriate or offensive to ask such a question. In response, Jen Arnold from TLC’s The Little Couple took to social media during Dwarfness Awareness Month to address the appropriate terminology and discussions surrounding individuals with dwarfism. She clarified that terms like “munchkin” and “midget” are offensive, while “dwarf” and “little people” are more appropriate.
Jen Arnold also shared that having a parent with dwarfism is not a prerequisite for a child to be born with the condition. Two average-sized parents can have a child with dwarfism, and in fact, 80 percent of children with dwarfism have average-sized parents.
As for whether it is appropriate for fans of 7 Little Johnstons to ask about the baby’s dwarfism, opinions are divided among viewers. Some feel that it is an intrusive question to ask about a newborn, while others believe that if the baby is healthy, it shouldn’t matter. Unfortunately, Liz Johnston has become overwhelmed by the influx of questions and comments regarding her daughter, prompting her to limit comments on Instagram.
Ultimately, while “dwarf” itself is not considered offensive, some fans agree that it was inappropriate to inquire about the newborn’s dwarfism.