Fans of the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City will be hearing a lot from Jen Shah, 47, during the second season of the hit Bravo reality show. A source close to production told HollywoodLife exclusively that Jen “kept it real” while filming, after she was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. “Jen didn’t hold back at all when talking about her legal issues on the show,” the insider told HL. “She kept it very real and is maintaining her innocence to the ladies. She filmed full-time and this season will focus heavily on Jen.”
The source also emphasized that her co-stars had no prior knowledge of Jen’s alleged activity. “The ladies really had no idea. They found out when the rest of the world did and were shocked. They feel she should be treated like anyone is in court which is innocent until proven otherwise,” the insider explained, adding, “They’re really hoping it’s not true, but they’re staying out of it and not discussing it past a surface level. Her friends on the cast are still talking to her and doing their best not to let this effect their friendship with her. They love Sherrief, her husband, and the boys are the nicest, most respectful guys.”
Jen made headlines when she was arrested on March 30 and later pleaded not guilty to the charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. She called in from Utah for her Manhattan federal court arraignment and remains free on a $1 million bond. Her alleged co-defendant, and personal assistant, Stuart Smith, also pled not guilty.
A source close to the reality show previously told HL that Jen always appeared confident and people “respected her privacy,” noting that the cast were still stunned. “When it came to her money and lifestyle, they believed everything that Jen ever said because she’s such a confident and secure with herself woman but they also respected her privacy and nobody ever pushed back on what she said, Andy [Cohen] included,” the insider dished.