“The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” has become one of the most popular shows in the Housewives franchise because each season brings the drama that viewers love. The show has given fans a look into the luxurious lives of these women in Salt Lake City and exposed them to the city’s culture.
When the series first started, Jen Shah was seen as the main character because she was friends with most of the cast and brought them together. Jen was known for speaking her mind and always keeping the other ladies on edge because no one ever knew what she might say next.
Jen highly values loyalty, which is a positive trait, but she expects her friends to show extreme levels of loyalty towards her. In the first episode, Jen became upset when the other women were polite to Mary Cosby, who had offended Jen earlier by saying she smelled like a hospital. Jen didn’t like that her friends were talking to Mary, and she had an outburst at the event they were attending.
It was interesting for viewers to see how quickly Jen’s mood could change, but her behavior got worse as the seasons went on. Initially seen as the main character, Jen quickly became the villain because she started causing problems for each cast member, which did not reflect well on her. Meredith Marks was the only one brave enough to confront Jen about her outbursts regarding Mary Cosby.
Jen was surprised by this because she considered Meredith one of her closest friends, so she retaliated by spreading rumors that Meredith was having an affair. Jen began to speak negatively about most of the women, but her reign ended when she was arrested in Season Two for fraud. Although Jen was going through a tough time after her arrest, it didn’t justify her treating everyone poorly.
Still from the season (Peacock)
Whenever someone from the cast tried to ask Jen about her life, she took it personally and would start yelling. She couldn’t have calm conversations, and everyone feared her reactions. If Jen had not been arrested and stayed on the show, she might have made viewers stop watching because she always wanted to be the center of attention.
Jen would have continued trying to make everyone side with her unfairly, which could have ruined this popular franchise. Although Jen was at the center of most conflicts in “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City,” the women proved they did not need her as they continued the show without her. To be part of “The Real Housewives,” the women need personalities that make viewers want to watch them every week. Their personalities have to be big so that viewers can relate to them and be interested in their lives.
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City offered a fresh perspective because it challenged the stereotype of women from Utah. These women showed how Utah’s culture has slowly changed over time. Jen Shah was at the center of the show in 2020 because she already had relationships with all the women before the show began. Jen was the one who connected everyone, making this unique group of women possible.
Although Jen was the central figure, her personality was very extreme, both positively and negatively. After just one episode, viewers saw how intense Jen could get when she felt wronged. She threw a party for Meredith Marks, and during the party, she got angry when she saw Mary Cosby because Mary had made a rude comment about Jen’s smell, knowing she had just come from the hospital.
While Mary’s comment was inappropriate, Jen’s reaction—yelling and making a scene—was embarrassing. Fortunately, she had her friend Heather Gay there to try and calm her down, but it often took a lot of effort to settle her.
For Jen, loyalty was everything, and she always wanted her friends to support her. Heather demonstrated this well, but it wasn’t enough when Meredith got closer to Mary. Jen always needed to be right, and seeing Meredith, one of her best friends, not being loyal upset her deeply. To retaliate, Jen spread rumors that Meredith was cheating on her husband, which Meredith did not appreciate.
Jen slowly began spreading rumors about her friends whenever she felt betrayed. Whitney Rose got involved when she tried to warn Jen that Meredith and Lisa Barlow were afraid of her. It was clear that the cast feared Jen. Whitney even said in her Season One confessional that she was open with Jen because she feared her reaction if the truth got back to her. Whitney’s attempt to be loyal backfired when Jen reacted explosively and threw drinks at her husband’s birthday party.
Jen’s actions not only pushed viewers away but also upset her own family. After the birthday party incident, Jen’s husband, Coach Sharrieff Shah, had to take a break from her because he was embarrassed by her behavior. Viewers criticized him for enabling Jen and not bringing her back to reality. In the Season Two premiere, Jen said about Sharrieff, “Sharrieff felt like he wasn’t a positive influence in my life, like he couldn’t help me.”
Jen’s outbursts were so extreme that Sharrieff even considered divorce. Jen didn’t understand how her actions were affecting her and those closest to her, and her bad behavior was not a good look. After Jen left the show, there was uncertainty about whether the remaining women could still deliver the drama. However, Season Four showed that they never needed Jen, as they managed to bring excitement and entertainment without her.
The core four—Heather Gay, Meredith Marks, Whitney Rose, and Lisa Barlow—brought new energy to Season Four, alongside Monica Garcia and Angie Katsanevas. Each had their own storylines, with Heather emerging as a standout by revealing Monica as Reality Von Tease. The women proved they could carry the season with their drama and without petty arguments.
As they prepare for their fifth season, Mary Cosby will return as a full-time cast member, and alliances in Salt Lake City will shift once again. Changes are always happening for these Housewives, and this season is no different as they deal with past conflicts involving Reality Von Tease.
Jen Shah is now serving her 5-year jail sentence, but it’s clear that RHOSLC has moved on from her drama, and she is now just a part of the show’s history. “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” premieres on September 18 and is available to stream on Peacock.
Still from the previous season (Peacock)
“The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” has moved significantly since its debut, and the exit of Jen Shah marked a turning point for the franchise. While Jen’s dramatic presence initially drove much of the storyline, her erratic behavior and eventual legal troubles cast a shadow over the show.
However, the remaining cast members have shown resilience, stepping up to fill the void and proving that the series does not rely on one person to succeed. With new and returning faces like Monica Garcia, Angie Katsanevas, and Mary Cosby, the Housewives are more dynamic and engaging than ever.
As the show moves into its fifth season, the focus is on the growing friendships, shifting alliances, and personal growth of the women. The Housewives of Salt Lake City continue to challenge stereotypes and provide a look into the complexities of their lives.
They bring a mix of humor, heart, and unfiltered drama that keeps fans coming back for more. The ability of the cast to adapt and thrive without Jen Shah demonstrates the strength of the franchise. As new storylines unfold and old tensions resurface, viewers can expect the unexpected, ensuring that “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” remains a must-watch series in the ever-expanding Housewives universe.