Angie Katsanevas is opening up about how she is navigating her split from Shawn Trujillo while prioritizing their daughter, Elektra.
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star spoke with Us Weekly while promoting Season 7 and admitted that, after years of staying quiet about what she was going through, she is now trying to be more honest about her life.
“I think for a long time I was quiet about things that I was going through, so I could show up for other people,” Angie said. “And I’ve gotten to the point where I’m being more open about what’s going on, and sometimes that can make it — it can be harder because I’m trying to show up for my daughter right now.”
Angie shares 15-year-old daughter Elektra with estranged husband Shawn. According to Angie, her focus right now is being fully present for her daughter as their family goes through this major change.
Angie explained that trying to show up “as a mom” and be “solely present for Elektra” has made it more difficult to answer phone calls and show up for everyone else in the same way she normally would.
“I’m kind of really just, like, in self-preservation mode right now,” Angie admitted.
Since news of her and Shawn’s split broke in July, Angie said she and Elektra have spent the entire summer together.
“We spent every day together from, you know, waking up at 4:30 to go to lessons for her horse — she’s an equestrian, as you know — and then we go to Pilates and we go swimming, we do activities,” Angie said. “So I filled my entire summer when we wrapped RHOSLC with spending every waking minute with my daughter.”
Angie called motherhood the “most important role” in her life and made it clear that she is okay with friendships taking a back seat right now if it means her daughter feels supported.
“You don’t have as much time to sit on the phone or spend time with friends. But this is very important to me right now with what’s going on in my life,” Angie explained. “Is just showing up for her, letting her know that I’m here and to feel safe and that my mom’s by my side.”
Angie also addressed what fans can expect to see on RHOSLC this season when it comes to her marriage.
According to Angie, viewers will see the ups and downs between her and Shawn play out, but she feels more comfortable sharing it because this time, it is her real story and not rumors being spread by other people.
“What happened when I came on the show was just a lot of lies and rumors about my business and marriage. What I am talking about right now is real and it’s the truth,” Angie said. “So I feel more confident in sharing that.”
Angie admitted that being open on reality TV is never easy, especially because cast members have to relive everything when the season airs. But she said the difference this time is that the story is coming directly from her.
“It’s never easy being open not only on the show, but we rewatch it when it airs, but it’s my story and it’s coming from me,” Angie explained. “And I’m telling it versus people making up rumors or telling stories of untruths so I think that’s the difference and that’s why it feels safer.”
Angie and Shawn’s marriage has been discussed on RHOSLC before, but this season appears to be different. Instead of defending herself against whispers or speculation, Angie is choosing to speak openly about what is actually happening.