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Courtesy of Josiah Duggar/Instagram

The Duggars May Be a Super Tight-Knit Family, but They’ve Still Got Their Other BFFs Behind the Scenes

Reality TV

Jun 20, 2019 12:39 pm·

By Chelsea Duff

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You’d think when you’ve got 18 siblings, you’d never need a BFF outside of your immediate family, but the Duggars are still pretty popular. Over the years, they’ve introduced us to all kinds of friends — and some of those friends have even become relatives over the years after courting couples have tied the knot, turning the Swansons, Caldwells, and Forsyths from family friends to family. But who else are the TLC stars tight with? Check out the gallery below and let the Duggars introduce you to their pals.

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Laura DeMasie

Lately, Laura is the Duggar friend. She’s not just BFFs with Jana, she’s tight with the whole crew, frequently helping out with the younger kids and hanging out with the older ones. But before you get it twisted, both Jana and Laura have shut down those “secretly dating” rumors, and Laura is just as eager for her pal to find a man as anyone else.

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Lawson Bates

Another one of Jana’s rumored suitors, Lawson fueled the flirty rumors rather than confirming they’re “not a thing” like his friend finally did, but he and the Duggars go way back. He may have been dropping heart eye comments on Jana’s Insta for a moment there, but you can frequently spot him sending love to the Duggars on social media.

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Nathan Bates

Nathan is also tight with the fam. In fact, he and John David even partnered up to take two of the younger Duggar couples out for a double date to Byrd’s Adventure Center. All six of them enjoyed a meal out after a short jot over in one of the family’s planes.

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Carlin Bates

Joy’s tight with her sisters, but when it comes to picking a BFF, it’s all Carlin. The Duggar daughter has posted all kinds of glowing messages on social media for her friend’s birthday and wedding, getting all dressed up to the nines to celebrate the special occasion.

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Jill and Derick Dillard Sit Across a Table From Chad and Erin Paine

Chad Paine and Erin Bates

The Counting On kids can usually be found heading out for double dates with their siblings and their partners, but every now and then they mix it up with some friends. Back in 2014, Jill and Derick headed out with Chad and Erin for a fun night.

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Trace Bates

Jeremiah and Trace practiced their smolder while hanging out during the Texas Family Conference, one of many events both the Duggars and the Bates make sure to hit up. Jer may be the “hot” Duggar, but Trace is giving him a run for his money here.

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Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard In Front Seat Taking Selfie with Bates Kids in Back Seat

Tori Bates

Tori may be all grown up and with a kid of her own these days, but the star and her siblings spent their childhoods with the TLC family, frequently filming special episodes together as the Bates family came to visit.

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Josh Duggar Takes Selfie With Jana, Jinger and Bates Siblings

The Bates

The two families have always been tight, and there are several sets of Duggar-Bates BFFs. Though some fans consider the UPtv clan to be the cooler version of their slightly more conservative counterparts, it’s clear they’ve always had plenty in common.

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Sierra Jo Dominguez

Practically family, Sierra is more likely to be the next Michelle than any of the reality star mom’s actual daughters. She’s also had a hand in planning pretty much every party the Duggars have thrown, including their weddings.

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Kayla Whaley

Kayla and Jinger linked up in early 2018 when the Duggar daughter was visiting for a conference. The two also hung out with Jana and Laura while they were in Atlanta, all cracking up as they grabbed coffee.

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Jonathan Hartono

Jonathan is pretty much one of the Duggar boys at this point. He’s always spent a lot of time at their house, even helping to mow the lawn or fix a tin roof. Any pal that chips in when there are chores is one guaranteed to last for life.

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Jennifer Hartono

Jonathan’s sister, Jennifer, is also tight with the Counting On clan. Anna called Jenni her “adopted sister” all the way back in 2012, and when she picked her up at the airport in 2018, she brought a whole crew. Tons of family members showed up with signs to welcome Jenni home.

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Daniel and Josh Walsh

Jessa and her husband made a point of catching up with the brothers back in 2015. “Always fun hangin’ out with the Walsh bros!” she wrote on Instagram as they grabbed coffee in Birmingham, Alabama.

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Cade Foehner

Lately, Jeremy’s been buddying up with the former American Idol contestant. The two were pretty much inseparable for a few weeks there with Jeremy writing that he’s “thankful for [Cade’s] friendship; grateful for his life.”

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Gabby Barrett

The Vuolos have also gotten tight with Cade’s fiancée and fellow American Idol contestant. The couples make quite the handsome foursome, and we’re hoping for more double dates in their future.

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Rachel Tuuk

Jill helped her BFF celebrate her wedding back in January 2018, grabbing a selfie with the blushing bride before she walked down the aisle. “So super happy for my bestie!” she wrote on Insta. “You’re a beautiful bride!”

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Josh Buice

Pastor pals! Jeremy and Jinger spent the weekend with the Buice family back in 2018, and they caught up again at a conference in February 2019. As Jeremy’s been traveling for work, he’s made all kinds of new friends.

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Austin Duncan

That includes the Duncan family, too, who actually live in Los Angeles, California. Think the reverend and his wife will be good pals for the Vuolos once they move to L.A. and settle down?

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Herald and Deborah Gandi

Maybe they can meet up with the Gandis, too. Last time Jeremy and Jinger were in L.A., the two couples checked out the Getty Villa for a “a wonderful time” and “artistic vantage point.”

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Hannah De La O

Hannah and her hubby are good pals of Jessa and Ben. The foursome headed out for a fun looking double date a while back, grabbing a frozen custard treat before hitting up the basketball court for an Arkansas Razorbacks game.

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Nawon Losli

Jinger was by her friend’s side as she got ready to tie the knot back in 2017. “Can’t believe you are getting married today,” the star told Nawon. “💕I am so excited for you and Cole!”

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Mandie Query

Mandie is tight with at least a couple of the Duggar girls. Back when Jinger and Joy were still living at home, she and Jana would join them for regular Sunday afternoon walks.

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Jeremy Vuolo and James Song Wear Coats While Sitting on NYC Subway

James and Seung Song

Jeremy gave a speech at James’ wedding, and James flew to Arkansas for Jeremy’s bachelor party, so you know these two are the real deal. Seung helped out at Jinger’s bachelorette, too — and was even there for that awkward kiss tutorial Jessa tried to give her little sister.

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Mia and Ellie Rothman

Sisters hanging with sisters! Anna, Jill and Joy made sure to spend some time with the Rothman sisters while they were in the area in 2014. “Great to meet up with friends!” Anna wrote on social media.

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Law School Friends

Of course, Derick also has his law school friends — and he surprised pretty much all of his fans when he even dressed up with them for one of the spirit week days on campus.

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Law School Friends

The star got his ‘fit on for a decade-themed day and a high school stereotype themed-day where he and his pals looked straight out of Riverdale. How fun is that?

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Uncle Jim

They call him Uncle Jim, but he’s not technically family. However, the 19 Kids & Counting crew member has been part of the Duggars’ lives for so long that he may as well be a relative.

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'Counting On' Producer Holds Felicity Vuolo As Another Crew Member Works Camera

‘Counting On’ Crew

The whole crew has become close with the family — and it looks like baby Felicity is even ready to join their ranks. She’s been a crucial member of the show’s staff on more than one occasion.

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The Chick-Fil-A Cow

But perhaps the most important Duggar friend of all is the Chick-Fil-A mascot. We all know how much the Duggars love the restaurant, and when Jill and her family got all dressed up for Cow Appreciation Day, they made sure to snap a shot with their #1 bud.