Jill Dillard, Jessa Seewald Open Up about Scandal Surrounding Josh Duggar Ahead of New TLC Special: 'We Were Devastated'

By Leah Marieann Klett
Jill Dillard
Jill (Duggar) Dillard weeps as she discusses her brother's molestation scandal: "I still cry a lot" TLC

Former "19 Kids and Counting" stars Jill Dillard and Jessa Seewald emotionally discussed the aftermath of their brother Josh Duggar's decade-old molestation scandal in a preview of their upcoming new series.

As reported by the Gospel Herald, the two Duggar daughters will return to reality TV in December when their show "Jill & Jessa: Counting On" premieres on the TLC network. A teaser video released on TLC's website shows the sisters recalling the moment when Josh's past actions were made public.

Earlier this year, both Jill, 24, and Jessa, 22, identified themselves as two of the five victims that 27-year-old Josh molested when he was 14.

"You're angry and hurt and like all those emotions all mixed together, I still cry - a lot,'" Jill said of the scandal that broke in the summer, as she dabbed her eyes.

The second-oldest Duggar daughter, who has a six-month-old son with husband Derick Dillard, continued: 'The whole world was shocked. You're angry and hurt and all those emotions all mixed together.'

Jessa, who is expecting her first child with husband Ben Seewald, added: "Here I am, the most joyful time of my life, newly married, baby on the way and then ... We were devastated. Like, we couldn't believe it. You have to wonder like how did this happen."

During its run, "19 Kids and Counting" was TLC's most watched series, averaging 3.2 million viewers. However, the network cancelled the show in May after Josh's past actions were publicized.

More recently, Josh publicly apologized for a pornography addiction and cheating on his wife, Anna, and is currently seeking treatment at a faith-based rehab center.

"I have been the biggest hypocrite ever," Josh wrote in a statement at the time. "While espousing faith and family values, I have secretly over the last several years been viewing pornography on the Internet and this became a secret addiction and I became unfaithful to my wife."

While TLC has said Josh will not appear on any future programming, the Duggar family has said they have forgiven him and they are now focused on moving forward.

In August, Jill and Jessa took part in a TLC documentary titled "Breaking the Silence" which highlighted sex abuse.

Their upcoming special will include more lighthearted material, such as Jill and her husband Derrick's journey through Central America and Jessa's pregnancy and her and her husband Ben's journey into parenthood for the first time.

"Even with all the difficulties my family has walked through, there's still a lot of milestones ahead and Ben and I are excited to welcome our first little one into the world very soon," said Jessa.

Jill added: "We're excited about what the future holds, we will come out of this fire stronger as a family unit."