Why Heather Gay Isn’t Worried About ‘Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives’

There’s clearly competition between Heather Gay‘s “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” and the cast of Hulu’s hit reality show “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.” In fact, Gay is a supporter of the show and the women, revealing in a new interview that she’s more than happy to have two successful series set in the heart of Utah.

In an interview with PEOPLE, Gay revealed that she’s not as close to the women of “SLOMW,” but she does cheer them on from afar. “We have mostly parasocial relationships online, but we see each other at events and stuff,” she said, adding, “I love them. I champion them.”

The “RHOSLC” star then shifted to speaking about the identities of the “SLOMW” cast—many of whom are young, practicing Mormons with husbands and multiple children. In Gay’s mind, their lives look eerily similar to hers in her 20s, but she believes they’ll evolve over time.

“I think they are Salt Lake City housewives, 20 years ago. Their Mormonism will change the more they are introduced to things outside of our bubble and the more that they have independent thought and independent income,” she said. “That’s what was true for me, and I was as devoted as they come. So I’m interested to watch their journeys.”

Hulu’s “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” first debuted in September 2024 and quickly became the streaming giant’s most-watched unscripted series of the year. Still, Gay isn’t concerned about their shows competing against one another.

“Truly, we’re all each other’s got, and so we really need to champion each other,” she said. “There are not a lot of women business owners and thriving, outspoken, beautiful, strong women, and I think they represent all of that. I’m proud they’re calling themselves Mormon wives. I identify with it.”

Indeed, she does. Throughout her six years on Bravo, Gay has spoken openly about her struggles with the Mormon church and where she stands with religion today.

In addition to releasing her memoir, “Bad Mormon,” Gay recently hosted a moving three-part docuseries on Bravo titled “Surviving Mormonism,” in which she spoke with abuse survivors, ex-Mormons, and former LDS leaders about the “church’s seemingly perfect image that’s been hidden behind closed doors for so long.”

In a separate interview with PEOPLE, Gay reflected on how her life has changed since joining the Bravoverse and becoming one of the franchise’s breakout stars.

“Oh, I’ve completely changed,” she said in 2024. “I’ve unburdened myself from a lot of heavy baggage I’d been carrying for years, from my life before. And it’s allowed me to really evolve, not just as a woman, but also as a mother.”

Since the show’s debut in 2020, Gay has been living her best life by growing her medspa business and taking on exciting new opportunities.

“It’s an exciting time,” she said. “And I’m no fool; I know none of this would have been possible if it weren’t for ‘Houswives.’”

According to Gay, her new reality has also given her a sense of power and a new mindset. “I feel like, now, I’m totally a feminist,” she said.