Sister Wives patriarch Kody Brown has found himself at the center of a fierce backlash following his cringeworthy behavior during the show’s Season 19 Tell All special. The 56-year-old reality star shocked viewers when he shared intimate details about his relationship with his remaining wife, Robyn Brown, describing their physical relationship as “Mormon naughty” during his conversation with host Suki Krishnan.
The uncomfortable revelation that he and Robyn engaged in “kissing” and “hugging” before marriage, while stopping short of full intimacy, left many fans feeling disgusted and calling for his removal from television. Social media exploded with criticism, with viewers describing his comments as “cringe” and expressing their desire to see him “off their screens.”
Fan Outrage Reaches New Heights
The backlash was swift and brutal, with Instagram users flooding social media with negative comments. One user wrote “Cringe cringe cringe. Why does this keep popping up on my feed,” while another pleaded, “Please get and keep this man and his wife off of my screen.” The comparison of his intimate life to sports metaphors only added to viewers’ discomfort and solidified his reputation as tone-deaf and self-centered.
This latest controversy represents just the tip of the iceberg in what has become a complete unraveling of the Brown family dynamic that once captivated audiences when the show premiered in 2010.
From Polygamous Patriarch to Monogamous Pariah
The Great Exodus
Kody’s polygamous empire began crumbling when his favoritism toward Robyn became undeniable. Originally married to four wives—Meri, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn—he now finds himself in a monogamous relationship after the other three wives left him between 2020 and 2023. The COVID-19 pandemic served as the catalyst, with Kody imposing strict rules on his family while seemingly exempting Robyn and her children.
Christine was the first to officially leave in 2021, followed by Janelle and finally Meri in early 2023. Each departure was accompanied by revelations of Kody’s neglect, favoritism, and increasingly controlling behavior that prioritized his relationship with Robyn above all others.
Property Disputes and Financial Controversy
The family’s 2018 purchase of 14 acres known as Coyote Pass in Arizona has become a source of ongoing legal drama. Meri Brown accused Kody of attempting to unfairly divide the property, telling her she didn’t deserve an equal share because she “only has one child” compared to his other wives.
The property dispute escalated when Meri and Janelle threatened legal action, forcing Kody to eventually compromise and divide the property equally. In 2025, Kody sold Coyote Pass for $1.5 million, sharing the profits based on ownership shares. However, the damage to his relationships was already irreversible.
The Human Cost of Reality TV Fame
Tragedy Strikes the Brown Family
The most devastating blow to the family came in March 2024 when Kody and Janelle’s son, Garrison Brown, died by suicide. The 25-year-old had struggled with alcohol and isolation, conditions that family members and viewers couldn’t help but connect to the fractured family dynamics.
The tragedy raised uncomfortable questions about the role of reality television in the family’s deterioration and whether the constant cameras and public scrutiny contributed to the mental health struggles within the Brown household. Despite this profound loss, the show continued filming, forcing grieving family members to process their trauma in front of millions of viewers.
Estranged from His Children
Kody’s relationship with his children has deteriorated significantly, with several of his adult children publicly criticizing his behavior. He has lost contact with Gabriel, Paedon, and Gwendlyn Brown, among others, with many choosing to support their mothers over their father.
The estrangement has become so severe that Reddit users joke about strangers seeing Kody more than his own children do, highlighting the tragic disconnect between the once-large family patriarch and his offspring.
Living in the Aftermath
The New Normal
Despite the family chaos, Kody appears to be embracing his new monogamous lifestyle with Robyn. The couple has been spotted gambling in Las Vegas multiple times and visiting tourist attractions in Arizona, suggesting they’re attempting to move forward despite the ongoing drama.
In 2025, Kody and Robyn purchased a new $2.1 million house in Flagstaff, Arizona, indicating they’re committed to staying in the United States despite Kody’s previous claims about wanting to move to Europe for a fresh start.
The Show Must Go On
As Season 19 continues to air, the fundamental premise of Sister Wives no longer exists. What began as an exploration of polygamous family life has devolved into a study of family breakdown and dysfunction. The show now serves primarily as a source of income for the remaining participants, with cast members essentially being paid to engage in public self-reflection about their failures.
Robyn’s Controversial Comments
Adding fuel to the fire, Robyn Brown has made comments referring to herself and her children as the “core” members of Kody’s family, implying that the other wives and their children were somehow secondary. This attitude has only reinforced public perception that the couple views themselves as superior to the rest of the Brown family.
The Path Forward
Can Kody Redeem Himself?
Industry observers suggest that if Kody genuinely wants to repair his public image, he needs to demonstrate authenticity and sincerity rather than attempting forced humor. Critics argue he should focus on showing respect to his former wives and taking responsibility for his role in the family’s collapse.
However, given his recent Tell All performance and continued defensive behavior, many fans believe it may be too late for redemption. The man who once presented himself as a loving family patriarch now appears more interested in protecting his current lifestyle than acknowledging the pain he’s caused others.
The Future of Sister Wives
As Season 19 progresses with additional Tell All episodes scheduled, viewers continue to tune in despite—or perhaps because of—their frustration with Kody’s behavior. The show has become a cautionary tale about the dangers of reality television fame and the human cost of living life in the public eye.
Whether Sister Wives will continue beyond this season remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the Brown family as America once knew it no longer exists, leaving behind only fragments, lawsuits, and a patriarch struggling to understand how his kingdom crumbled around him.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did Kody Brown’s wives leave him? A: His wives left due to his obvious favoritism toward Robyn, increasingly controlling behavior during COVID-19, and neglect of his other relationships. All three ex-wives cited feeling unimportant and unloved.
Q: What was the “Mormon naughty” controversy? A: During the Season 19 Tell All, Kody described his pre-marital physical relationship with Robyn as “Mormon naughty,” sharing intimate details about kissing and hugging that made viewers extremely uncomfortable.
Q: How much money did Kody make from selling Coyote Pass? A: Kody sold the 14-acre Coyote Pass property for $1.5 million in 2025, sharing the profits with Robyn, Meri, and Janelle based on their ownership shares.