As a fan of the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, I wasn’t surprised to learn that Lisa Barlow knows everyone. As the self-proclaimed “Sundance Queen,” I imagine she rubs her elbows with the rich and famous. She might even have a little black book of numbers. But it was shocking for Bronwyn Newport to learn that her good friend had connections to her daughter’s father. Sadly, I think the newbie got a bit more than she bargained for when she signed up for the Bravo series.
Who is Bronwyn Newport’s ex?
During the October 16 episode of the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, Bronwyn opened up about her daughter, Gwen’s absent father. She told cameras that while attending the very Mormon Brigham Young University, she had become pregnant. The newbie noted, “I got pregnant with Gwen when I was 19, turning 20 and her biological father was not involved and passed away shortly after when she was turning 2.” The story was heartbreaking as viewers watched Bronwyn become emotional. But the story deepened as the fashionista opened up to Lisa during their spa day.
First, Brownwn was surprised to learn that Lisa was actually close friends with Gwen’s grandparents. But Bronwyn shared that her ex’s family immediately shunned her. The non-costume wearer noted, “It wasn’t a pleasant conversation with them. I took a fair amount of the blame, which is words that I won’t repeat, but you know what the connotation is, right? They were not supportive, I can just say that. But it was a conversation that deeply hurt me. I think that what they would have preferred was if I said I was doing a study abroad and went and just quietly had my pregnancy and had the baby adopted.”
Lisa Barlow shocks Bronwyn Newport with a family connection
Bronwyn kept herself composed as she shared with her friend “I left there knowing I was going to have to do this by myself,” Bronwyn added. “I think he decided this was something that he wasn’t gonna be a part of.” The newest RHOSLC star revealed her parents were also embarrassed, but her ex-in-laws made her feel “damaged and disgraced and shameful.” And for 18 years Gwen and Bronwyn have not had contact with them.
The story didn’t end there as Bronwyn shared how she learned about Gwen’s father dying. She recalled, “When Gwen was 18 months or 2 at the time, I found out on Facebook. “I saw someone had commented on an obituary with a picture of Gwen’s dad on it.” During the foot massage, Lisa shared that she had contacted Gwen’s paternal parents. The Vida Tequila owner stated that the grandmother noted, “It’s time” to meet finally. But Bronwyn isn’t a dummy and tells her friend, “I’m having a hard time reconciling this wonderful family that you know with the family that has not made time in 18 years to get to know my child.”
How does Lisa Barlow know Gwen’s grandparents?
Lisa and Bronwyn opened up more about the connection on the RHOSLC: Aftershow. Lisa revealed, ”Every time I would run into his mom, I would just have an overwhelming feeling of, like, prayer for her and sadness that she lost her son. So for me, it was like, this is unreal. But I wouldn’t say anything to them because I’m like, ‘This is such a touchy situation.”
But Bronwyn continues to have her doubts. She stated, “I’m very protective of Gwen, and anybody who is not interested in her can jump up my a** and die, to put it bluntly. But I have days where I think maybe I should’ve done more to foster it. Maybe I should’ve made it easier for them or maybe I should have continued to try on her behalf. As a parent, you always want what’s best for your kids, even if it’s not what’s best for you.”
