Heather Gay and Whitney Rose Heal Their Friendship Rift
Surprising Reconciliation:
Whitney Rose, a star from “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City,” was taken aback, just like the viewers, when Heather Gay reached out to mend their strained relationship. However, Whitney is glad that Heather made the effort.
“At the end of the day, we’re family and we love each other,” Whitney, 36, told Us Weekly exclusively while promoting Season 4 of the Bravo series. “And I think that you take things out on the people you love most.”
Whitney admitted that she had believed their friendship was over before Heather suggested a meeting at a family park they considered a “neutral zone” to discuss their issues.
“A Surprising Turnaround:
“I didn’t want to move forward. I was very hesitant because the trust had been broken, and we’re both heartbroken,” Whitney explained. However, they managed to make amends. “It felt good just to have an apology [from her and] for me to apologize and move forward. It’s so much easier having her [in my life].”
Despite their very public disagreements, Whitney considers Heather family. She acknowledged that they both have passionate personalities and sometimes engage in playful teasing. However, their relationship is now “solid,” and Whitney appreciates having Heather’s support.
“A New Chapter:
Whitney also teased that during Season 4, fans will see how Heather proved herself as a friend. Their journey from estrangement to reconciliation is set to unfold in the upcoming episodes of the show.
Background of Their Friendship:
Heather Gay and Whitney Rose were close friends when “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” premiered in 2020. They share a deeper connection as third cousins and bonded over motherhood, entrepreneurship, and more.
Their friendship took a hit during Season 3 when Whitney claimed that Heather had heard a rumor about Lisa Barlow exchanging sexual favors for Utah Jazz tickets. Heather denied hearing the rumor, and Lisa denied the allegations. The fallout strained Heather and Whitney’s relationship.
“Ups and Downs:
Although they appeared to mend their friendship during the filming of “Ultimate Girls Trip” in summer 2022, their feud reignited at BravoCon in October 2022. Heather claimed that Whitney “reaches the most” while filming, which led to further tension.
Strained Relations:
Whitney admitted that Heather’s comment had caused damage, and in November 2022, she revealed they were not in a good place at that time. Despite the difficulties, she remained hopeful for a resolution.
Heather, on the other hand, felt that her friendship with Whitney had suddenly vanished and wasn’t sure how to repair it, as she confided to Us in December 2022.
The Road to Reconciliation:
In the Season 4 premiere, which was filmed in early 2023, Heather and Whitney managed to reach a truce. Whitney confirmed that their reconciliation remains intact, expressing how much she missed Heather’s upbeat personality.
“A Much-Needed Reunion:
“When things get crazy and people are fighting, Heather and I would always be commentary, and that comedic relief I really missed in life in general,” she added.
“The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” airs on Bravo on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET.