Heather Gay, a cast member of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (RHOSLC), spoke about the recent news that her costar Whitney Rose has filed for divorce from her husband, Justin Rose. In an interview on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen on October 7, Heather expressed her surprise over the development.

"I was surprised, I really was," Heather, 52, said during the live show. "I really thought it was a chapter of estrangement, but I was surprised." This sentiment is likely due to Whitney and Justin's initial decision to separate while continuing to co-parent their two children, Brooks and Bobbie. However, court documents obtained by Us Weekly confirm that Whitney formally submitted a proposed parenting plan in Utah, indicating a shift towards formalizing their separation through divorce proceedings.

When asked about her relationship with Whitney, Heather emphasized the difficulties of navigating a high-profile divorce. "Divorce is very, very difficult. It was horrendously difficult for me," she stated. Heather also reflected on her own experience with divorce, having separated from her ex-husband Billy Gay III in 2011 before finalizing their divorce three years later. She noted that her decision to keep her divorce private was motivated by protecting her family's well-being during a challenging period.

In contrast to her own past experiences, Heather expressed empathy for Whitney, acknowledging the challenges of publicly dealing with such personal issues. "I love Justin. I love their family. I know how hard divorce is and this sucks," she said. Heather went on to describe the emotional toll of facing public scrutiny alongside family responsibilities: "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."

This reaction highlights the significant impact that RHOSLC viewers may see unfolding throughout Season 7. As Whitney mentioned in a prior interview with Us, "Everything that you see unfold this season happened in real time." Heather echoed this statement when speaking to Us, saying, "I didn’t hold anything back. I shared everything that I felt was safe to share and that would protect my children." By sharing these genuine moments, both women aim to provide authenticity to the reality TV series, allowing audiences to witness the intricacies of their relationships and lives.