Heather Gay
Heather Gay | |
|---|---|
| Born | Heather Jill Deans June 29, 1974 Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, U.S. |
| Education | Brigham Young University (BA) |
| Occupations | |
| Known for | |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Whitney Rose (third cousin) |
Heather Jill Gay (née Deans; born June 29, 1974)[5] is an American television personality, businesswoman and author. She is best known for appearing as a main cast member on the reality television series, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, since the show's inception in 2020.
Early life
Gay was born in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, to parents Susan (née Carver) and John Deans; the third of six children.[6] When Gay was five, her family relocated to Denver, Colorado. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Humanities.[7] Gay was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but left the Church in 2019 due to its treatment of gay people and women.[8][5]
Career
In 2017, Gay and co-owner Andrea Robinson, founded and launched a medical spa services company, Beauty Lab + Laser, in Murray, Utah. Beauty Lab + Laser opened a second location in nearby Riverton in 2022.[9]
Gay first gained notability after the premiere episode of the Bravo reality television series, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, in which she has starred since 2020. She has also been featured in the third season of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, alongside co-star and cousin Whitney Rose. In late 2022, she made a guest appearance on Below Deck Adventure.
In February 2023, Gay published her book, Bad Mormon: A Memoir, which made The New York Times Best Seller list.[10] She released her second book, Good Time Girl, in December of the following year.[11]
Personal life
In July 2000, Gay married Frank William "Billy" Gay III at the Laie Hawaii Temple.[12] Billy is the grandson of prominent business executive Frank William Gay and nephew of Robert C Gay, a general authority of the LDS Church and former CEO of Huntsman Gay Global Capital (HGGC).
The couple separated after 11 years of marriage, but their divorce was not finalized until 2014.[13]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–present | The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City | Herself | Reality show; main cast |
| Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen | Herself | Guest; 14 episodes | |
| 2022 | The Wendy Williams Show | Herself | Talk show |
| Below Deck Adventure | Herself | Guest | |
| 2023 | Sherri | Herself | Talk show |
| The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip | Herself | Main cast; Season 3 | |
| 2025 | Surviving Mormonism with Heather Gay[14] | Herself | Limited series; 3 episodes |
Bibliography
References
- ^ Willets, Melissa (February 1, 2023). "'RHOSLC' Star Heather Gay Is a Single Mom Whose Net Worth Is Pretty Impressive". Distractify. Engrost Inc. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
- ^ Stephan, Katcy (October 15, 2022). "'RHOSLC' Cast on Jen Shah's Guilty Plea, Friendship Fallouts and 'Tumultuous and Traumatizing' Season". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
- ^ Cuby, Michael (February 7, 2023). "Real Housewife Heather Gay on Jen Shah, Black Eyes, and Writing a Memoir". Interview Magazine. Brant Publications, Inc. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
- ^ Rissmiller, Mitch (February 7, 2023). "Heather Gay says it feels good to be a 'Bad Mormon'". TODAY.com. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
- ^ a b Safronova, Valeriya (February 2, 2023). "Heather Gay of 'Real Housewives' Knows She's a 'Bad Mormon'". The New York Times. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
- ^ "JOHN DEANS OBITUARY". The Salt Lake Tribune. April 18, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
- ^ a b Bad Mormon. Simon & Schuster. 7 February 2023. ISBN 9781982199531. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
- ^ Smyth, Tom (February 7, 2023). "Real Housewives Helped Heather Gay Actually Get Real". The Cut - New York Magazine. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
- ^ "Salt Lake Tribune". She’s known for ‘Real Housewives of SLC,’ but Heather Gay has built a booming business. September 27, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
- ^ "Best Sellers - Books". The New York Times. February 26, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
- ^ a b Kaplan, Ilana (December 3, 2024). "Now that 'Real Housewives' star Heather Gay has left the Mormon church, she has a lot to say". Los Angeles Times. LA Times Communications LLC. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
- ^ "Gay, Deans are married". The Park Record. Park City, Utah. August 9, 2000. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
- ^ Pierce, Scott (April 1, 2022). "One woman's exit from the LDS Church plays out on 'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City'". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
- ^ Witter, Brad (October 21, 2025). "Surviving Mormonism with Heather Gay Uncovers "Secrets and Sins" of the Church (TRAILER)". Bravo.