'Vampire Diaries' actor Ian Somerhalder breaks silence on birth control controversy with wife Nikki Reed

The INSIDER Summary:

• Ian Somerhalder and Nikki Reed shared the story of how they conceived their child on a podcast.
• Reed revealed Somerhalder thrown away her birth control pills after the couple decided to have children.
• The story sounded like reproductive coercion to some people.
• Now Somerhalder and Reed put out a statement clarifying their position.
• "If this somehow sheds a light on a topic that definitely needs some mainstream attention, then we are grateful for the unintended consequence [...] We are two happily married people who chose TOGETHER to have a baby."

Husband and wife actor duo Ian Somerhalder and Nikki Reed have found themselves in the middle of a contentious news cycle after the couple told a controversial story about how their first child was conceived.

Somerhalder and Reed appeared on Dr. Berlin's Informed Pregnancy podcast, as first noted by Women's Health, and said after they decided together it was time to have children, Somerhalder threw away Reed's birth control.

"[He] threw out all my birth control pills," Reed said.

"We decided that we wanted to have children together, and it was just time. But unbeknownst to poor Nikki, she didn't realize that I was going to go in her purse and take out her birth control," Somerhalder said. "By the way, it was the beginning of the pack, so I had to pop all those suckers out."

As my colleague Kristin Salaky wrote on Friday when the news broke, this was concerning to many who believed the story made it sound as if Somerhalder was really making the decision for Reed. 

Reed and Somerhalder have now since released statements defending Somerhalder's actions and saying the story was being misinterpreted by media outlets. When they both told the story, it was in a lighthearted tone. 

On Friday, Reed posted a screenshot of a note she typed out, which was peppered with sarcasm and anger at the way certain people had reported the story.

Here's the full message:

Quote from an article this morning claiming my husband tried to "force (me) into pregnancy?!" Oh and my favorite line "That is some unconsented bulls--- right there."

My response: Yep. When you actually listen to the podcast (which I'm sure you didn't) you'll hear how UNFORCED I felt. Also, "unconsented" bulls--- is you speaking on my behalf in a story admittedly taken out of context for the purpose of stirring up drama WITHOUT my approval. Don't talk about consent to me.

And lastly, how dare you try to cast a dark shadow over one of the happiest most memorable days of my life — you're not only disrespecting me but my baby. Oh and next time you try to stand up for women by writing an article "about women's rights," try properly conveying the way I felt. It's a shame that this was your way in. You have a platform, write about things that matter by using truthful stories, not gossip. Thanks and goodbye.

— Nikki.

Then on Saturday, both Somerhalder and Reed tweeted and Instagrammed a joint response. This one had a much different tone.

Here's the full message:

To anyone who has been affected by reproductive coercion, we are deeply sorry. That is an extremely serious issue, and women's rights is something that is incredible important to both of us. It is something we've been very vocal about, and something that is very close to our hearts.

We never expected a lighthearted interview we did poking fun at EACH OTHER and how WE chose together to get pregnant, a goofy moment in Barcelona with our two best friends and the anticipation of the start of our journey together as we went from two to three, to turn into something representing a very serious matter.

However, if this somehow sheds a light on a topic that definitely needs some mainstream attention, then we are grateful for the unintended consequence. It's a shame that outlets chose this as their way into a very serious discussion, as we are certainly not qualified to be the faces of this topic. We are two happily married people who chose TOGETHER to have a baby. The end.

Love,

Nikki and Ian

You can listen to Dr. Berlin's Informed Pregnancy podcast episode featuring Reed and Somerhalder's story to hear the full tale.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here are all the major changes coming to your iPhone September 19