Heather Gay Speaks Out on Whitney Rose’s Divorce Filing: “I Was Surprised”

Heather Gay is opening up about the emotional and unexpected news that her Real Housewives of Salt Lake City costar and cousin Whitney Rose has filed for divorce from her husband, Justin Rose. The 52-year-old Bravo star didn’t hold back when asked about her reaction during the Wednesday, October 7, episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, revealing that the legal filing caught her completely off guard.

“I was surprised, I really was,” Heather shared on the late-night talk show. “I really thought it was a chapter of estrangement, but I was surprised.” Her comments came hours after news of Whitney’s divorce filing broke, and it was clear the reality star was still processing the development. Heather went on to explain that she had already reached out to Whitney directly to offer her support, knowing from personal experience just how painful divorce can be. “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.”

Heather’s candid remarks on WWHL were just one part of a busy day of interviews. Earlier in the day, she had already spoken about the surprising turn of events during a live appearance on SiriusXM’s Reality Checked with host Kiki Monique. At that point, Heather admitted she was still trying to wrap her head around the news. “I’m a little shocked,” she said live on air. “I thought that they were just separating and working on it. … It’s sad to me.” The reality star made clear that her concern for Whitney and Justin went beyond what viewers see on television, especially because of her close relationship with both of them.

“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,” Heather said. “I can’t imagine having to deal with that with every person I see at the grocery store and with my kids.” Those words carried extra weight coming from Heather, who has been through her own highly personal divorce. She and her ex-husband, Billy Gay III, separated in 2011 and finalized their divorce three years later. Together they share three daughters: Ashley, Georgia, and Annabelle. Heather has spoken openly over the years about how difficult that period of her life was, and on Wednesday she reflected on how differently she chose to handle her own separation compared to Whitney.

“I divorced so secretly and slowly, molasses slow,” Heather 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 resonated with fans who have watched Heather navigate life as a single mother on camera, and they helped illustrate why she was so quick to sympathize with Whitney rather than speculate about her costar’s personal choices.

The news of Whitney and Justin’s divorce filing was first confirmed by Us on Wednesday, when court documents obtained by the outlet revealed that Whitney, 39, had formally filed for divorce in Utah. The filing marked the end of a 16-year marriage between Whitney and Justin, 58. According to the documents, Whitney also submitted a proposed parenting plan for the former couple’s two children: daughter Bobbie, 16, and son Brooks, 13. The legal filing brought a conclusive end to months of speculation about the state of their marriage, following earlier reports that the couple had separated.

Us had confirmed in July that Whitney and Justin had actually split two months earlier, meaning the separation began around May. But even after that news broke, Whitney remained tight-lipped about the specifics of their relationship, and she later revealed that she and Justin were still living in a way that allowed their children to maintain a sense of normalcy. In September, Whitney opened up to Us about the unusual arrangement, explaining that she and Justin were still “nesting” with their kids despite being separated. Nesting, a co-parenting arrangement in which children remain in the family home while parents rotate in and out, was working surprisingly well for their family, according to Whitney.

“[Our kids] have so much love and support around them that their life hasn’t really changed much because we’re nesting,” Whitney shared at the time. “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 further explained that she and Justin “share two places” and “rotate between the two” so their children never have to leave their “primary home.” That careful attention to their kids’ well-being was something Whitney made clear she and Justin were prioritizing even as their marriage came to an end.

But while Whitney and Justin were actively working to keep life stable for Bobbie and Brooks, the decision to file for divorce still appeared to be a significant step. Just weeks before the filing, Whitney had hinted that viewers of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City would get a front-row seat to the events that led up to her and Justin’s breaking point. During the upcoming seventh season, Whitney suggested, the cameras would capture more than just the aftermath of the split; they would show the real-time unraveling of a marriage that had been strained for some time.

“Everything that you see unfold this season happened in real time,” Whitney told Us in September. “I didn’t hold anything back. I shared everything that I felt was safe to share and that would protect my children.” That comment hinted at just how much of Whitney’s personal life would be exposed on the show, and it also explained why she was so deliberate about the way she and Justin handled their separation behind the scenes. For Whitney, protecting her children and maintaining a cooperative relationship with Justin appeared to be the top priorities, even as the legal realities of divorce began to take shape.

Heather’s reaction to the news also underscored how intertwined the two women’s lives have become, both on and off the screen. As cousins, Heather and Whitney have shared a complex and sometimes rocky relationship over the years, with their family ties adding an extra layer of tension to their appearances on the show. Despite their ups and downs, Heather made it clear that her feelings for Whitney and Justin remain rooted in love and concern. Her decision to text Whitney immediately after the news broke showed that, when it comes down to what really matters, the two are there for each other.

Fans of RHOSLC will likely have many questions in the coming weeks about what the divorce means for Whitney and Justin, their children, and the dynamic of the group as a whole. The show has always thrived on the personal lives of its cast members, but Whitney’s divorce is shaping up to be one of the most heartfelt and complicated storylines yet. With Heather already offering her support and Whitney hinting that the cameras captured the truth of what happened, audiences can expect an emotional and revealing season.

For now, Heather is choosing to focus on being there for her cousin in whatever way she can. “I’m just rooting for her and thinking of her,” she said, a sentiment that echoes the empathy she has shown throughout the day. Having gone through divorce herself, Heather knows that the road ahead for Whitney will not be easy — especially under the glare of reality television. But she also seems confident that Whitney has the strength and support system to get through it. As Whitney and Justin officially begin the legal process of ending their marriage, the world will be watching, but Heather’s message remains simple: she is on Whitney’s side.

The news of the divorce filing is still fresh, and more details are likely to emerge as the legal process moves forward. In the meantime, Whitney’s focus appears to be on her children and on navigating this new chapter with grace and honesty. With the support of her family, including Heather, and the cooperation she and Justin have already shown as co-parents, she is taking the first steps toward a new beginning. And as the seventh season of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City unfolds, viewers will finally see for themselves how Whitney and Justin got to this point — and what comes next.