Exclusive

Will Mary Cosby Return for Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 5? She Says...

After abruptly leaving The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City after season two only to return as a "friend" this year, Mary Cosby revealed the one reason she'd return as a full-time cast member.

By Brett Malec Dec 04, 2023 5:29 PM
| Updated Dec 04, 2023 5:28 PM
Tags
Watch: Andy Cohen Channels RHOSLC Meredith Marks' Accent

Have faith, Bravoholics, because it sounds like Mary Cosby is here to stay.

After abruptly leaving The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City last year after two seasons only to return as a "friend of" on season four, the reality star revealed if she wants to return as a full-time cast member next season.

"Yeah, maybe," Mary exclusively told E! News Chief Correspondent Keltie Knight at the DIRECTV Celebrates Christmas at Kathy's event Nov. 28. "Only because I feel like I'm here for Monica [Garcia] and if I need to be full cast to make sure she gets where she's going, I'm here to support her."

Fans saw the bond between the RHOSLC O.G. cast member and series newbie grow even stronger on the show's Nov. 28 episode when Monica sought advice from Mary about her two explosive fights with costar Lisa Barlow.

"Don't ever lose your mind over no one, ever," the church leader urged Monica. "With Lisa, I feel like you both go back and forth. I feel like it's not just her. I feel like it's both of you." 

photos
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 4 Cast Photos

However, it sounds like Monica will still have to answer for her outbursts at the upcoming RHOSLC season four reunion, which filmed last month.

DIRECTV Celebrates Christmas at Kathy’s/Phillip Faraone/Greg Doherty

"It was good for me, I don't think it was good for them," Mary explained to E! of the dramatic taping. "It certainly wasn't good for Monica, but it was good for me. I was there for a little amount of time and then I was gone in the right amount of time. I poked in and poked out."

But despite trying to stay out of the cast drama as much as possible these days, the 51-year-old believes the show's shocking twists and turns—including series alum Jen Shah being sentenced to five years in prison for wire fraud and money laundering charges in connection with a telemarketing scheme—is what keeps fans tuning in.

"I think a lot of it is probably because we've been through the worst out of all the franchises," Mary noted. "We've gotten beaten up a lot. People bond with that and relate."

The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on Bravo. And keep reading to see E!'s official ranking over every Real Housewife in Bravo history.

164-167. 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.

163. Kimberly Bryant, The Real Housewives of Orange County

Who?

162. Tammy Knickerbocker, The Real Housewives of Orange County

Vaguely familiar, but...

161. DeShawn Snow, The Real Housewives of Atlanta

Once upon a time, DeShawn starred on the same TV show as NeNe Leakes. Surprising, we know.

160. Elizabeth Lyn Vargas, The Real Housewives of Orange County

This one-season Housewife brought nothing to the Orange County table.

159. 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.

158. Quinn Fry, The Real Housewives of Orange County

Her defining trait was "cougar."

157. 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.

156: 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

155. 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.

154. 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.

153. Shamari DeVoe, The Real Housewives of Atlanta

A one-and-done Housewife, Shamari was at least fun?

152. 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.

151. 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.

150. 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.

149. 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.

148. 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.

147. 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!

146. Cristy Rice,The Real Housewives of Miami

This was a real person with a show on Bravo. We promise.

145. 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. 

143-144. Teresa Aprea and Nicole Napolitano, RHONJ

So unnecessary they couldn't even get individual taglines.

142. 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.

141. Taleen Marie, The Real Housewives of Dubai

Taleen was a nice addition to RHODubai's sophomore season, but we only have one season to judge her on.

140. 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.

139. 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.

138. Stephanie Shojaee, The Real Housewives of Miami

We'll be honest: Stephanie is not our cup of tea. While her vast wealth had the makings of a great Housewife, the fact that she continuously used her private jet as leverage to hold power over her new costars during season seven left an icky raste in our mouth.

Maybe Steph can redeem herself if she returns for season eight.

137. 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. 

135-136. 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.

134. 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...)

133. 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.

photos
View More Photos From The Official Ranking of The Real Housewives

(E! and Bravo are both part of the NBCUniversal family)

Check out Peacock to binge your favorite NBCU TV shows and movies, live sports and more!