Credit: Bravo
Jen Shah is reportedly being eyed by Dancing With the Stars producers for a potential role on the ABC dancing competition’s upcoming 35th season.
As both Frances Berwick, the chairman of Bravo and Peacock Unscripted, and Andy Cohen, 57, shot down the idea of a Real Housewives of Salt Lake City return, a production source suggested that Jen, 52, could be featured on DWTS after she’s released from prison on December 10, since ABC is allegedly “not afraid of backlash.”
“DWTS is eyeing Jen Shah for next season,” an insider told The U.S. Sun on December 1. “They know, they know. They know the backlash will be loud, but frankly, they aren’t scared of it. They’ve cast Sean Spicer. Bristol Palin. Anna Delvey. They aren’t afraid to make a splash.”
As RHOSLC fans well know, Jen was found guilty of fraud in July 2022 and began serving a 6.5-year prison term in February 2023. However, after a number of reductions to her sentence, she is now headed home after less than three years behind bars.
While Jen has served her time and has begun to pay back the money she owes, Bravo doesn’t want her back on their show, which leaves room for another network to reach out.
“They know Bravo isn’t going to touch Jen anytime soon, they’ve publicly said that they aren’t. Which gives fans that both love and hate her the hunger to see how post-prison life is,” the source continued. “There will be a hole there that ABC can step in and fill in. Obviously, nothing is for sure yet since she hasn’t even been released yet. But people on the show’s side have been in touch with members of her team.”
Last month, around the time of Jen’s latest sentence reduction, Frances was asked if her crimes were “less forgivable” than other Real Housewives who have returned to their shows.
“For me personally, yeah. But you know, again, I have no idea on the level of accountability. But yes,” she confirmed during a November 19 interview with Variety.
She then said that when it comes to allowing talent back, a “variety of things” come into play.
“It’s also about the level of accountability, the level of change that that person is going to make. The audience is with [Karen Huger], because they’re rooting for her, because they think and believe that this will profoundly change her. I took the standing ovation as a sign of support for somebody who’s now taken accountability. That’s borne out by what she says to Andy.”
As for Andy, he made it clear that Jen would never again be seen on RHOSLC on the December 2 episode of SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen Live.
“I just want to say once again, for anyone who is asking. I think I’ve said this before: She’s not coming back to [RHOSLC]. She’s not,” he declared. “I wish her all the best in her next life. I would assume she’ll wind up on a reality show of some kind. But it won’t be anything that I’m working on. I don’t know that I could see Bravo working with her again. So, there you go. Let’s just, can we put a period on the end of that sentence?”
“And kudos to the [RHOSLC cast], who have not only survived, but thrived in the years following her incarceration,” he added.
@just_bookin_around When asked why Jen won’t be coming back to RHOSLC, Andy states it’s because you have to draw the line somewhere. 🎧: Andy Cohen Live, December 2 📸: Deadline #fyp #bravotv #bravo #peacock #rhoslc ♬ original sound – Just Bookin’ Around
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City season six airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on Bravo.