Jen Shah (left) and Whitney Rose.Photo:Chris Haston/Bravo
Chris Haston/Bravo
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake Citycast is moving on withoutJen Shah.
On Tuesday’s episode ofTwo Ts In A Pod with Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge, guest co-hostWhitney Roseopened up about filming while Shah is serving afive-year prison sentencefor her role in a long-running telemarketing scheme.
“I will say that season 4 kind of goes back to the original OG Salt Lake City roots,” Rose, 36, explained. “It very much is like season one in that the fights are lighter. They’re just as dramatic but we’re not fighting over you know…,”
Tamra Judgeadded, “someone who’s going to prison.”
Monica Garcia, Meredith Marks, Heather Gay, Lisa Barlow, Whitney Rose, Angie Katsanevas.Gizelle Hernandez/Bravo
Gizelle Hernandez/Bravo
Rose admitted that “having Jen gone is like a breath of fresh air,” adding, “Honestly, it was so much easier.”
“I think it just felt weird not having her because she’s been an OG,” she explained. “We built the show with her. But I don’t think we missed her in the sense of toxicity — like we were able to all bond in a different way and get to know each other on a deeper level and that was nice. And I don’t know if that’s Jen or if it’s just season four, the dynamics of it.”
Despite the change of pace, Judge, 55, noted that Shah, 49, was “a good character on the show” and “entertaining” for audiences.
“She brought it for sure,” Rose responded. “And I think a lot of people are nervous about not having Jen but we brought it. It’s still everything.”
Jen Shah.Chris Haston/Bravo via Getty
Rose also revealed that new Housewife Monica Garcia has an unique tie to Shah after being asked if she knew her prior to filming.
“I will say I’ve never met her, but I’ve heard a lot about her,” she responded. “She was formerly friends and assistant to Jen Shah.”
She continued: “So I had heard about her because she worked for Jen and her name is brought up a lot on the streets.”
Monica Garcia of ‘RHOSLC’.Gizelle Hernandez/Bravo via Getty
Gizelle Hernandez/Bravo via Getty
Shahentered a guilty plealast July after shewas arrestedback in March 2021, along with her assistant Stuart Smith, for their roles ina long-running nationwide telemarketing scheme.
They both originally pled not guilty after they were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Shah’s legal teamattempted to have the charges dismissedin August 2021, but a judge denied the request.
Smithswitched his plea to guiltythat November, and Shah did the same at a hearing in July 2022. During her sentencing in January, she apologized for her actions.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake Citypremieres Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.
source: people.com
