Heather Gay ‘Surprised’ by Whitney Rose Divorce Filing: ‘I’m Rooting for Her’
Heather Gay is opening up about the emotional and unexpected news that her Real Housewives of Salt Lake City costar Whitney Rose has officially filed for divorce from her husband, Justin Rose. The Bravo star, who has been candid for years about her own painful divorce, admitted that she did not see this particular moment coming, even after learning that her relative and castmate had separated from her husband months earlier.
Gay, 52, appeared on the Wednesday, October 7, episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, where she was asked directly about Whitney’s divorce filing. The reality star did not hold back, telling host Andy Cohen that she was genuinely taken aback by the news. “I was surprised, I really was,” Gay said. “I really thought it was a chapter of estrangement, but I was surprised.”
Gay went on to explain that she has already reached out to Whitney, 39, since the filing became public. She spoke with empathy and care, acknowledging how painful divorce can be at every stage. “I’ve texted with Whitney. Divorce is very, very difficult. It was horrendously difficult for me. I can’t imagine now navigating it with the public and the personal and the kids and all of it. I’m just rooting for her and thinking of her,” Gay shared.
Her comments came after Us Weekly obtained court documents confirming that Whitney had formally filed for divorce in Utah. The filing brings an end to a marriage that lasted 16 years. Justin Rose is 58. According to the court papers, Whitney submitted a proposed parenting plan for the couple’s two children, daughter Bobbie, 16, and son Brooks, 13. The documents mark the latest development in a split that has been playing out publicly for several months, with fans of the show watching closely as the couple navigated their separation in real time.
Earlier in the day, before her appearance on Watch What Happens Live, Gay learned about the divorce filing while appearing on SiriusXM’s Reality Checked with host Kiki Monique. During that live interview, Gay admitted that she was taken off guard. “I’m a little shocked,” Gay said. “I thought that they were just separating and working on it. … It’s sad to me.”
She continued by expressing her affection for both Whitney and Justin, making it clear that her concern goes beyond the drama of the show. “I love Justin. I love their family. I know how hard divorce is and this sucks. I can’t imagine doing it on this platform, publicly. … I can’t imagine having to deal with that with every person I see at the grocery store and with my kids,” Gay said.
Gay’s reaction is particularly informed by her own experience with divorce. She and her ex-husband, Billy Gay III, separated in 2011, but their divorce was not finalized until 2014. Together, they share three daughters: Ashley, Georgia, and Annabelle. Gay has spoken openly over the years about how long and painful that process was, and she reflected on that again in light of Whitney’s news.
“I divorced so secretly and slowly, molasses slow,” she recalled. “I did that to protect how difficult it was. I can’t imagine ripping the bandaid off like that. It would be really hard, really difficult.”
Her comments highlight the unique pressure of navigating a divorce under the glare of reality television cameras. Whitney and Justin’s relationship has been a central storyline on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City for years, and their separation has only intensified interest from fans. But for Gay, the situation is deeply personal, not just because Whitney is a friend and costar, but because they are family. The two have often referred to each other as cousins on the show, and their bond has been tested and strengthened through various seasons of drama.
The news of Whitney and Justin’s split first emerged in July, when Us confirmed that the couple had separated two months earlier. At the time, fans were shocked to learn that the pair, who had appeared to be working through their issues on camera, were living apart. Whitney later offered more details about their living situation in September, revealing that she and Justin were “nesting” with their children despite the separation.
In her September interview with Us, Whitney explained that the arrangement was designed to put their kids first. “[Our kids] have so much love and support around them that their life hasn’t really changed much because we’re nesting,” Whitney shared. “Justin and I work together. We coparent. We do everything together. So, from the kids’ perspective, I would imagine, I mean, based on their feedback, it’s more peaceful. It’s better.”
Whitney also explained the logistics of the nesting arrangement, noting that she and Justin maintained two homes and split their time between them so that their children could remain in their “primary home.” Per Whitney, they “share two places” and “rotate between the two,” ensuring that Bobbie and Brooks would not have to constantly move back and forth between separate residences.
During that same conversation, Whitney hinted that the upcoming seventh season of RHOSLC would offer viewers a deeper look at what led to her and Justin’s breaking point. She made it clear that she did not hide the truth from the cameras, even as she remained mindful of her children’s wellbeing. “Everything that you see unfold this season happened in real time,” she told Us. “I didn’t hold anything back. I shared everything that I felt was safe to share and that would protect my children.”
That level of openness is something Heather Gay seems to appreciate, even as she expresses concern for her cousin’s emotional wellbeing. Gay’s repeated comments about the difficulty of divorce suggest that she understands exactly what Whitney is going through. She has been there herself, and she knows that the legal process is only one part of the struggle. There are also the emotional challenges, the co-parenting negotiations, and the constant feeling of being watched and judged by the public.
Gay’s comments on Watch What Happens Live also underscored a broader theme: divorce is hard enough when it happens in private, but doing it on a reality show carries an entirely different weight. She made a point to mention the everyday interactions that become overwhelming when you are going through a public split, like seeing people at the grocery store who have opinions about your marriage. It is a reminder that reality stars are still human beings, navigating real pain in front of millions of viewers.
As for what comes next for Whitney, it remains unclear how the divorce proceedings will unfold. The court documents include a proposed parenting plan, which suggests that Whitney is focused on establishing a stable arrangement for Bobbie and Brooks. Whether Justin will respond with his own filing or agree to the terms remains to be seen. Fans will likely get more answers as the new season of RHOSLC airs, especially since Whitney has already promised that the show will depict the lead-up to her separation honestly and in real time.
For now, Heather Gay is offering support and compassion. She made it clear that she is not taking sides in the divorce, expressing love for both Whitney and Justin. Her focus is on their family, especially the children, and on being there for her cousin during one of the most difficult periods of her life. “I’m just rooting for her and thinking of her,” Gay said.
The story is still developing, and both Whitney and Justin will likely have more to say in the coming weeks. But one thing is certain: with Heather Gay in her corner, Whitney has someone who truly understands the pain of divorce and who is willing to speak up in support, even when the cameras are rolling.
