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Heather Gay is exploring the “secrets and sins” of the Mormon church in a new limited series for Bravo titled Surviving Mormonism with Heather Gay.
In a just-released sneak peek at the three-part special, the 51-year-old Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star admits that she was left shocked by what she discovered amid the creation of the series as she spoke to people who, like her, grew up in the Mormon church, and learned of their dark pasts with the religion.
“The things I learned while we were filming this shocked me to my core. The real secret lives are much darker, deeper, and more tragic,” Heather says at the start of the trailer for the series.
“This is still going on. This has to stop,” she continues.
As Heather engages in deep conversations with a number of people in regard to their experiences with Mormonism, she becomes understandably emotional.
“I spent my life being someone I wasn’t,” a man tells her.
“My earliest memories are of abuse,” a woman shares.
“Had they taken action, could it have saved me?” wonders another man as Heather wipes away tears.
Then, as she drives off, Heather admits to feeling “overwhelmed and horrified.”
In an October 21 announcement shared by Bravo, it is noted that Surviving Mormonism with Heather Gay “fractures the church’s seemingly perfect veneer to expose the secrets that have been kept behind closed doors,” and that Heather “uncovers the dark history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
“In each hourlong episode, Heather has impactful conversations with abuse survivors, ex-Mormons and former LDS church leaders,” the release states. “As Heather reflects on her own departure from the church, Surviving Mormonism delves into outdated and controversial practices and empowers victims to share their experiences to bring awareness and enact change.”
The Bravo release also shared a breakdown of each episode.
Part 1: “A Bad Mormon”
“The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star and bestselling author Heather Gay explores the journey of her exodus from the church of Latter-day Saints, uncovering the dark truths that lie behind the religion’s idyllic facade. Heather meets with David Matheson, a former Mormon who has been called the godfather of conversion therapy. Now out and living as a gay man himself, David details the harmful teachings he once practiced and believed in.”
Part 2: “The Highest Level of Heaven”
“Heather struggles with guilt for turning her back on an old friend who was critical of the Mormon church. When she sits down to hear Ben’s story for the first time, his story of abuse rocks her to her core. As Heather digs deeper, the stories of more survivors convince her his experience is the tip of the iceberg. A former Bishop reports on his experiences inside the church itself.”
Part 3: “Change Is Gonna Come”
“In the final chapter, Heather has the chance to hear from two sisters, Jennie and Lizzy, who suffered indescribable abuse at the hands of their father. Despite reporting the abuse multiple times to their Bishop and high-ranking church leadership, they were consistently ignored. Heather decides it’s time to take action.”
Surviving Mormonism with Heather Gay premieres on Tuesday, November 11, at 9:15/8:15c p.m. on Bravo, with all three episodes dropping on Peacock the following day, Wednesday, November 12.