Courtney Stodden Thanks God for Virginity, Doug Hutchison

Courtney Stodden, 16, and Doug Hutchison, 51, swear their marriage is not a publicity stunt. To prove it, they went on a national talk show this week.

The couple, whose marriage in May created quite the stir due to their age difference, appeared on Good Morning America yesterday and said the relationship was "totally innocent" at first, focused on business.

Stodden made the first flirty move over email, Hutchison said, adding that he then sensed "a struggle inside my heart... because I had already started falling for her."

Hutchison called Stodden's mother, who is on record supporting the couple, and said: 

"I said, Krista, I don't know if you know this or not, but your daughter and I are falling in love.... If you and [Courtney's father, Alex Stodden] have any misgivings whatsoever about this... I will respect you, and Courtney will respect you. And we will step back."

Doug was given his now mother-in-law's blessing, which thrilled Courtney.

"I was a virgin," said Stodden. "I knew that if I kept that, I would really be blessed with a beautiful gift. And God did. He blessed me with my soulmate. So I'm really thankful for that." 

Regarding the backlash over their ages, Hutchison says "I've been called worse than a pedophile in my life," making us wonder what people have called him.

He also says the most painful criticism has come from those closest to him. He's been dropped his manager as a result of the marriage and isn't talking to his brother or mom.