After the lackluster The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City season 3, producers are reportedly gearing up for a cast shakeup ahead of season 4. The drop in viewership and fan complaints have clearly reflected the decline of RHOSLC. The new franchise show has taken viewers on a rollercoaster ride of scandals, feuds, and removals in just three seasons. The show has lost a housewife in each season since season 2. While many expected Jen Shah to leave the show to complete her six-year prison sentence, there are other housewives that are also on the chopping block.
Amid the end of season 3, it's being reported that show producers are looking to recast for The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City season 4. “They held auditions in the fall,” a RHOSLC source told Page Six. “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.” When it comes to why producers decided to recast the show, season 3 feuding got too "dark" between the ladies, insiders claim. “They’re trying to bring in new women to lighten it up," and bring on more “over-the-top” cast , source share. With Jen gone, there is plenty room for a new face who can bring the drama like she was known to do.
Which RHOSLC Housewives Are 'Safe?'
As for which RHOSLC housewives will be returning, Meredith Marks, Heather Gay, Lisa Barlow, and Whitney Rose are reportedly all “safe,” the source told Page Six. Jen is among the three housewives set to be replaced, along with the two friends who made their debut in season 3. Angie Harrington, Angie Katsanevas, and Danna Bui-Negrete were the new faces who ed the cast in season 3 to add to the pre-existing drama. Jen is out after three seasons. Her exit follows Mary Cosby, who left after skipping the RHOSLC season 2 reunion, and Jennie Nguyen who was fired for her racist social media posts. How much more "over-the-top" are producers hoping to get?
Mary and Jen both brought their fair share of drama to the show. Meredith and Lisa's fallout carried over into season 3. But the feud didn't produce any standout moments in season 3. Heather and Whitney's "bad weather" came to an end after the real-life cousins disagreed over feuds that didn't necessarily involve them. However, aside from a light shoving match, Heather and Whitney's feud wasn't a storyline that reeled in viewers. With Jen leaving the show, there are growing concerns about the cast dynamic and if the remaining housewives are able to carry the show. It's likely why producers are on the search for a new "over-the-top" housewife to fill in for Jen.
The disgraced "Shah Squad" CEO battled it out with all the newbies as well as the returning housewives. While she and Heather made it through the season as friends, there was speculation that Jen was the culprit behind Heather's mysterious black eye. There are suspicions that Jen is the one who assaulted Heather during the cast trip and Heather's reluctance to reveal the cause of her black eye is only to save face for Jen. The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City season 3 reunion is set to address the black eye and find out the attacker once and for all. With Jen already receiving her six-year prison sentence, if she is the one who gave Heather the black eye, it wouldn't chance her current fate.