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'RHOSLC' Star Lisa Barlow Slams Whitney Rose: "She's Blocked on My Phone" (Exclusive)
Heather Gay has gained a new sense of self since shedding some pounds.
However, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star clapped back at claims her personality has changed since losing weight last year with the help of an Ozempic-like semaglutide medication.
During the Bravo series' Jan. 22 season five reunion episode, host Andy Cohen put Heather in the hot seat by reading a question from a fan who accused the Bad Mormon author of gaining an "edge" after her transformation, adding, "Can you see how you were giving mean girl energy this season?"
"That's just an interesting read," Heather fired back. "I guess when I was heavier, I was more of an underdog so it was okay when I stuck up for myself. Season one Heather had a lot more confidence than this girl sitting here. This show strips you of your ego, it strips you of your confidence."
The 50-year-old added that, prior to losing more than 20 pounds, "I had to fight a lot harder battles and I was a lot meaner and I brought a lot more anger and rage than this season for sure."
Costar Mary Cosby then chimed in to share some encouraging words of support with her longtime friend.
"I feel like Heather is different," Mary noted. "She likes herself more, she's pouring more love into herself. I feel like when I first met Heather five years ago she was very dark, she was not happy. She was trying to climb out of a really deep place that she had been left in from whoever ridiculed her or whoever tore her down and she's different now. Now she's more self-assured and if she feels like she's gonna come after somebody, now she's more confident to do it."
Bravo
Heather even reflected on how she didn't always feel 100 percent secure in her body during RHOSLC's early seasons.
"You have to have a lot more confidence to show up when no clothes fit," she admitted. "I'm wearing a stretchy jumpsuit, I'm next to all of these beautiful women. You have to have confidence in spades to do this whole show."
The mother of three even got emotional defending herself from negative commentors.
"Because I am happy and I am proud of myself," she continued, "and I don't want that to make me meaner. I am different, but it has nothing to do with the fact that I took medication to make me lose weight."
Heather has previously gotten candid about feeling criticized for using an injectable Type 2 diabetes drug to slim down, despite the Ozempic trend taking the world by storm in recent years.
"I've been shamed for just about everything and anything," she told E! News in September. "I got shamed for being overweight and I got shamed for being on medication. So, you can't win."
"I'm still the same," she added. "I'm feel the same. I feel like I liked myself then, I like myself now. It's just Ozempic became available and it worked for me."
See The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City reunion continue when part two airs Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 8 p.m. on Bravo.
And keep reading to see E!'s official ranking of every Housewife ever.
Adam Olszweski/Bravo
156-159. The Real Housewives of D.C.
Bravo's ill-fated attempt at highlighting our nation's capital brought together four women so forgettable you'd be forgiven for erasing them from your memory—though their names are Mary Amons, Lynda Erkiletian, Cat Ommanney and Stacie Scott Turner—and one so desperate for fame that she gate-crashed a party at the White House. More on her later.
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155. Kimberly Bryant, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Who?
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154. Tammy Knickerbocker, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Vaguely familiar, but...
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153. DeShawn Snow, The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Once upon a time, DeShawn starred on the same TV show as NeNe Leakes. Surprising, we know.
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152. Elizabeth Lyn Vargas, The Real Housewives of Orange County
This one-season Housewife brought nothing to the Orange County table.
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151. Jennie Nguyen, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City
Utah's newest season two Housewife went out with a bang (and not in a good way). In January 2022, Jennie was fired after "offensive" and racially insensitive old Facebook posts resurfaced online. Jennie later apologized but the damage was done.
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150. Quinn Fry, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Her defining trait was "cougar."
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149. Jen Armstrong, The Real Housewives of Orange County
The Orange County doctor was never a source of drama during season 16 and her brief marriage troubles with eternally shirtless husband Ryne (or Ryan?) were less than riveting. However, we will never forget Dr. Jen getting absolutely wasted on wine during the Dubrows' insanely awkward—yet wildly entertaining—dinner party.
Bravo
148: Annemarie Wiley, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
The nurse anesthetist's flop first season can be summed up in one cringe-worthy word we hope we never hear again: Esophagus-gate.
Tommy Garcia/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank
147. Katie Rost, The Real Housewives of Potomac
Katie loved to talk about her charity work, but...didn't do much else on screen. She was one and done, only to come back and not contribute much as a friend. Leaving the cast trip early? A Housewives no-no.
Tommy Garcia/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank
146. Charrisse Jackson Jordan, The Real Housewives of Potomac
Her marriage problems were on full display the two seasons she was a full-time Housewife...that and her champagne room are the two memorable things about Charrisse.
Alex Martinez/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank
145. Shamari DeVoe, The Real Housewives of Atlanta
A one-and-done Housewife, Shamari was at least fun?
Tommy Garcia/Bravo
144. Peggy Sulahian, The Real Housewives of Orange County
While it was nice to see some diversity in the lily-white O.C., Peggy ultimately proved to be a frustrating presence in season 12. The fights she chose to pick were bizarre, and often involving someone using a word she simply didn't understand, and her decision to simply hide out in her room for an entire day during the trip to Iceland proved that she wasn't really cut out for this Real Housewives life.
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143. Nneka Ihim, The Real Housewives of Potomac
Instead of bonding with fellow Nigerian costar Wendy Osefo during season eight, Nneka's first season storyline centered entirely around her allegedly accusing Wendy's mom of being a witch (yes, seriously). We wish we could have seen the two bond over their shared culture rather than fighting with no resolve.
Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank
142. Noella Bergener, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Noella spun through season 16 like a tornado of frantic energy. While her personal struggles were somewhat compelling (her husband James up and left the country and asked for a divorce right before filming started), it was her constant drama with queen bee Heather Dubrow that helped her not land completely at the bottom of the list. Maybe with more time and another season, we'll warm up to Mrs. Bergener.
Tommy Garcia/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank
141. Siggy Flicker, The Real Housewives of New Jersey
From peacekeeper in her first season to unrelenting complaints about a thrown cake and unfounded claims of anti-Semitism in her second (and last) season, we're not sure we've ever seen a quicker Real Housewives fall from grace than this one.
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140. Amber Marchese, RHONJ
Everything Amber and her husband Jim did seemed to reek of desperation. Plus, he was involved in more of the drama than she was. Not a good look.
Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images for Allied-THA
139. Karent Sierra, The Real Housewives of Miami
All we remember about Karent is that she was a dentist and none of her co-stars seemed to like her at all. Next!
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138. Cristy Rice,The Real Housewives of Miami
This was a real person with a show on Bravo. We promise.
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137. Jules Wainstein, The Real Housewives of New York City
As one of RHONY's more recent one-and-dones, Jules' tenure was too brief to rank any higher. However, she sure did deliver her fair share of drama.
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135-136. Teresa Aprea and Nicole Napolitano, RHONJ
So unnecessary they couldn't even get individual taglines.
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134. Nina Ali, The Real Housewives of Dubai
Much like co-star Sara Al Madani, Nina exemplified a multidimensional, successful Arab woman who is blending modern life with centuries-old cultural traditions. She avoided most of the season one drama and was sometimes overshadowed by her co-stars' bigger, louder personalities.
Bravo
133. Taleen Marie, The Real Housewives of Dubai
Taleen was a perfection addition to RHODubai's sophomore season and we look forward to getting to know her more.
Tommy Garcia/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank
132. Eva Marcille, RHOA
The America's Next Top Model veteran picked up a peach for seasons 11 and 12, but never really made an impression in the world of RHOA, aside from being pregnant for what felt like her entire tenure. Points for that epic read of Marlo Hampton while in Tokyo, though.
Bravo
131. Katie Ginella, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Per usual, we typically need to see more than one season to place a first-time Housewife higher on our list. But Katie came in swinging during RHOC's 18th season, immediately going up against veteran Housewife Heather Dubrow. It takes a brave woman to call B.S. on Ms. Fancypants.
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130. Sara Al Madani, The Real Housewives of Dubai
Sara's positive, enlightened outlook on life was certainly pleasant, but didn't provide for much drama (besides that one time she offered co-star Caroline Brooks some not-so-well received parenting advice). However, the tech entrepreneur shattered stereotypes of what it means to be a modern Muslim woman in the Middle East and for that we applaud her.
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128-129. Rachel Fuda & Danielle Cabral, The Real Housewives of New Jersey
RHONJ's season 13 newbies certainly fit the mold of your typical Garden State Housewife and quickly found themselves in a season-long fight over literally nothing that Andy Cohen deemed pointless at the reunion. The former friends unfortunately didn't bring much more substance during season 14.
Tommy Garcia/Peacock
127. Larsa Pippen, The Real Housewives of Miami
Larsa didn't make a big impression on season one before leaving the series. When Peacock revived RHOM for season four in 2021, her whole storyline was about being the ex-BFF of Kim Kardashian. (and selling sexy feet pics on OnlyFans...)
Jeff Daly/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank
126. Ana Quincoces, The Real Housewives of Miami
Ana followed up her one season as a Bravolebrity by competing on season 12 of Next Food Network Star in 2016. She didn't make it there, either.
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125. Joyce Giraud de Ohoven, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Unfortunately, she was nothing more than a punching bag for Brandi Glanville. Plus, her tagline celebrating the icky notion that you can never be too skinny was gross.
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