Roxanne 
Meredith Marks is opening up about how difficult it was to film The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City while Mary Cosby was grieving the devastating loss of her son, Robert Cosby Jr.
Season 7 of RHOSLC is expected to be one of the most emotional seasons in the show’s history, as cameras follow Mary navigating life after Robert Jr. died in February at just 23 years old following a suspected overdose.
Mary’s relationship with Robert Jr. had already become one of the most vulnerable parts of the series. In previous seasons, viewers watched Mary speak candidly about her son’s addiction struggles, with many praising her for allowing such a painful and personal part of her life to be shown on camera.
Now, Meredith says fans will see Mary handle the unimaginable with strength.
While appearing on Nova’s Jase, Lauren and Clint on Thursday, August 13, Meredith was asked how the cast continues filming a reality show when someone is dealing with such raw emotion and real-life tragedy.
“Mary, you’ll see, her strength is so inspirational,” Meredith said. “She handled the whole situation so beautifully, and I think it will be really incredible to watch.”
“I think it will be very tough for her,” Meredith shared. “I think that … the show, I think, gave her another focus during a very difficult time.”
Meredith also spoke about one of the hardest parts of doing reality television: having to experience painful moments more than once.
“That’s the downside to reality TV,” Meredith admitted. “You relive things later.”
Real Housewives of Miami star Alexia Nepola, who appeared alongside Meredith during the interview, agreed and said the public reaction can make that process even harder.
“That makes it worse,” Alexia said.
Alexia explained that once a painful moment airs, it does not just live on the show. It gets reposted, discussed and judged by viewers online.
“So that thing will happen, we all see it play out. Some blogger will do it, you know, post it on their social media, and then the whole world tunes in,” Alexia explained.
She added that everyone watching will have their own opinion, which can be incredibly difficult for the women actually living through it.
“Not everybody is going to see it the same,” Alexia said. “And I think that’s what makes it so hard for us.”
Alexia continued, “Not only that we relive the moment months later, but then after it comes out on social media, then everybody weighs in and gives their opinion, and I think that’s really hard. I think that you really have to have that thick skin.”
Mary confirmed Robert Jr.’s death in a statement to Us Weekly on February 25.
“Our beloved son, Robert Jr., has been called home to the Lord,” Mary said at the time. “Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in God’s promise and in knowing he is finally at peace. We are grateful for your prayers and trust in the Lord to carry us through this time of sorrow.”
RHOSLC has never shied away from heavy real-life moments, but Mary’s grief is different. This is not typical Housewives drama. It is a mother dealing with the most devastating loss imaginable while also choosing whether to continue showing up in front of cameras.
