From the first moment it hit television screens, the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City has been one of the most dramatic shows in the popular franchise. So far, cameras have captured the wild on-screen arrest and subsequent prison conviction of Jen Shah, the unveiling of cast member Monica Garcia as a secret online troll and Heather Gay sporting a mysterious black eye after a physical fight.
The current season, its seventh, is no less tumultuous as it sees Mary Crosby dealing with unspeakable grief after the untimely death of her 23-year-old son Robert Jr as well as two marriage breakdowns.
"Utah's always been a little vibe that no one really knew about and then we always capture the craziest, wildest real-life moments," Salt Lake City housewife Whitney Rose in this exclusive interview with HELLO!. "I feel like we bare our heart and soul, we give it our all and we are a dynamic cast and group of friends together."
And it's these friends who helped Whitney, 40, navigate the end of her nearly 17-year marriage to husband Justin, with whom she shares daughter Bobbie, 16, and son Brooks, 13.
© Griffin Nagel/BravoSpeaking to us just before revealing she had filed for divorce, she admits it was a "difficult decision" to address these issues on the show.
"At the beginning of the season, knowing what I was going through with my marriage, I didn't know if I wanted to do it," she says. "I have children at home and I wasn't sure how this was going to impact them. But I decided that I am strong and I have shared so much on this show about my life, so I would talk about it - but it was scary and it was hard."
Bonding together
What helped her get through it? "Focusing on my health, making sure that my body and mind were healthy and really leaning into the family,” she says.
Splitting from Justin also strengthened her friendships with Bronwyn Newport and Angie Katsanevas, who are also navigating the end of their marriages. "The fact that we're all going through this together has bonded us and we are able to support each other because it's one thing to be going through separation or divorce but it's another to be doing it on camera," she adds. "The three of us really know what that feels like, and we can lean on each other and help protect each other."
© Alise King/BravoThey have also come together to support their castmate, Pentecostal pastor Mary Crosby, whose son passed away in February after a reported overdose; his battle with addiction was featured on past episodes of the show. Filming on the show paused for a week after his death and Mary has subsequently been praised for her grace and dignity on screen as she navigated his passing.
"I think in the beginning, we put our differences aside and just supported and grieved together," Whitney says. "When someone passes, there's a lot of outpouring of love and support in the beginning and I think it's important for us to continue to show up for her and check on her.
"Mary is so strong and inspiring and she truly has changed a lot of the way that I view strength, faith and higher power because watching her has been inspiring. I have never seen someone go through grief like this. She truly is so strong and she's led with love. In fact, when I message her to check on her, she checks on me. Her strength is empowering and I think it has a lot to do with her faith."
Best-kept secret
The unique mix of the religious influence of the city – which is the worldwide headquarters for the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, aka the Mormon Church – and the luxury lifestyle of the women has made it a unique watch.
"I've always said Salt Lake City is the best-kept secret," Whitney says. "Our culture is so unique with the impact of the LDS church, and then we have the beautiful landscape of the mountains. We have a little bit of everything - our personalities blend perfectly because we all adore each other but then we all can't stand each other.
"The dynamics are always shifting but even if we don't like each other in the moment, we still love each other."
For now, as she navigates the end of her marriage, Whitney – who runs skincare range Wild Rose Beauty - is looking forward to this next chapter. "I still have a lot of decisions to make, there's a lot of change, but I'm excited," she muses. "This next year is going to be a big year for me and for my business and new life changes. I've been married my entire life, so we'll see what happens."
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City is streaming now on Hayu.com
