Here is all the information fans should know about Bravo’s Real Housewives of Salt Lake City season 4. The third season of The RHOSLC ended on January 25, 2023, marking an end to one of the most dramatic seasons in the series’ history. There were several talking points from the season, including Heather Gay popping up with a mysterious black eye, which some side talks linked to one of her co-star’s elbows. However, much of the drama surrounding this season came from Jen Shah’s fraud and money laundering scandal.
After initially claiming innocence, Jen pleaded guilty in July 2022 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Earlier this month, a judge sentenced her to 6.5 years in prison during a ruling at a Manhattan courthouse. Jen’s sentencing meant she had to miss the season 3 reunion, which left many fans disappointed as they would have loved a reaction from her following her conviction. Also, there were rumors that Jen had scheduled a one-on-one interview with Andy Cohen, but the disgraced star later shut down the story with a brief statement via her Instagram account.
While reacting to Jen’s canceled interview, RHOSLC star Lisa Barlow described the situation as “complicated.” Lisa also claimed she felt conflicted between hearing Jen’s side of the entire drama and not “rewarding bad behavior” by giving her more media attention. However, despite all the drama, the cast is already preparing for another season of drama and entertainment. Here are all the details fans should know about RHSLC season 4.
Jen Shah’s Absence Will be Noticeable
Image credit: @therealjenshah via Instagram
According to reports, the authorities expect Jen to begin her 6.5-year sentence on February 17 at a yet-to-be-disclosed federal facility. Unsurprisingly, there has been a lot of talk surrounding her future on the show, but her jail time has effectively ruled her out of season 4 for RHOSLC. According to reports, the producers understand her absence would leave a massive gap, but they are already on the hunt for “over-the-top” women who can bring new energy into the show following what many describe as a “dark” season. The reports claim producers plan to replace three women in the series, including the embattled TV star Jen Shah. It was revealed that auditions were held in the fall of last year and fans will get to know more about the cast shakeup in the coming weeks.
Will UnderRHOSLCgo a Cast Shakeup
Jen’s fraud scandal cast a dark shadow over the show, but it is not the only reason the producers have decided on a major cast shakeup. A source exclusively revealed to PageSix that the series held auditions in the fall to recast three housewives. The source said:
“They were looking to replace three of them. They hadn’t decided if some of the ‘friends of’ would be promoted or if they’d find new talent.”
The source further revealed that the intended shakeup is a result of how “dark” the show became last season. This may be associated with the recent controversy that trailed the series after Heather mysteriously came about a black eye. Heather refused to reveal the origin of the black eye, leaving fans to come up with various theories. Some even claimed it was a result of a physical fight between some of the housewives and the deteriorating friendships between the cast members only fueled such rumors.
RHOSLC Season 4 Will Have a Different Tone
Amidst all the rumors making the rounds about a possible cast shakeup, Bravo has remained mum on the casting details for season 4. However, PageSix revealed Heather, Meredith Marks, Lisa Barlow, and Whitney Rose are “safe” — which all but confirmed the exit of season 3 “friends” Angie Harrington, Angie Katsanevas, and Danna Bui-Negrete. The negative press from Jen’s legal woes, coupled with the controversy surrounding Heather’s black eye and the frosty relationship between several of the cast members has led producers to take the series in a new direction for season 4.
The network believes the injection of new faces would help lighten up the series coming from a “dark” third season. However, one thing that would not change is the caliber of housewives, with the source revealing the network wants the new cast to be just as over-the-top as the current and past housewives. Jen’s exit from the show is certainly not what the producers would have anticipated going into the third season. A year ago, no one would have pictured her heading to jail instead of returning for a fourth season. Nevertheless, it allows producers to mix things up ahead of The RHOSLC season 4.
