Bronwyn Newport may be new to the Bravo universe, but she’s already got the formula for being a successful Real Housewife down to a tee. Only 10 episodes into the fifth season of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, Newport has conducted difficult and honest conversations about her personal life, engaged in quarrels with her castmates, attempted to make amends with those she hasn’t gotten along with, and, most importantly, she has shown off some iconic fashion. But, perhaps the one part of her life garnering the most attention on social media is her marriage with Todd Bradley, who has been critical of their new drama-fueled environment.
Some may say Bradley is curmudgeonly and overpowering, while others would argue he’s protective and no-nonsense. As we’ve seen in The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, Bradley has threatened to kick Lisa Barlow and her husband off the Palm Springs cast trip if she didn’t dial back the arguing. He also shut down a conversation about Newport’s daughter, Gwen, in front of the entire dinner table, leaving his wife feeling “embarrassed.”
According to Newport, her husband wasn’t upset when he saw her say that in her confessional.
“His willingness to be the bad guy to protect Gwen and I, I really appreciate. But it does create a little bit of an awkward situation at the dinner table, and that is embarrassing,” she told DECIDER. “But he didn’t take that any kind of way when he saw that. He was like, ‘Yeah, I probably did embarrass you. But it’s what needed to be said.’”
The reality star, who has become an instant fan favorite, also laughed off the notion that they have somewhat of a father/daughter dynamic in their relationship. “I have never thought of Todd as my dad,” she said, before adding, “What it feels like to be in our relationship is very different than what it looks like to other people, and I’m okay with that.”
Despite Bradley’s apparent disdain for the contentious nature of reality TV, Newport promises that he would never stop her from coming back for another season. “It would definitely be my decision if Bravo wanted me to come back, if it was something I felt like was the right thing,” she told us.
Newport paid a visit to the DECIDER studio this week, where she also opened up about her friendships with Barlow, Heather Gay, and Christian Siriano. Check out the full interview below.
I think I speak for the entire Bravo fandom when I say you are such a great addition to The Real Housewives universe. How are you handling this newfound fame?
It’s been a wild ride. It’s so fun, and honestly, it’s been really positive. So many people have reached out and said such kind things, and everybody resonates with a different part of what I’m saying. A lot of people tell me they’re going to start wearing inflatable costumes to the airport now, so I love that that’s going to become [a trend]. You’re welcome, Amazon, for blowing that up for you. They’ve never sold more inflatable costumes. And of course, the story with my daughter, so many people have reached out to me and said different things, that they’ve been adopted or didn’t know their parents when they were younger. It’s been so amazing to have that kind of overwhelming feel of just everybody adoring her and thinking the highest of somebody who, of course, I love and adore.
One thing I love about The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City is how real and honest everyone is about their upbringing and things they’ve encountered in their lives. You and your daughter had this very raw conversation about her father’s family on the show and whether she was ready to meet them. Was that difficult for the two of you to do in front of cameras?
We were very surprised that came up. I’ve known Lisa a long time, but I guess not long enough to know how much she knew about me or how much we had in common. Gwen was just so brave to be willing to talk about that on camera, of course. Where my story and hers intersect, I want to be really careful that I’m only ever sharing my experience and not veering into talking about her problems and her history and her hopes and dreams for herself. But her willingness to sit down and be really honest that she wants this relationship and hopes that this happens for her, but it’s been hard that it hasn’t, is just really beautiful and really raw. Everyone was really so sweet to her, to hear that exactly as she said it.
I love your dynamic with her, too. It’s so nice.
Everybody that has a mother or is a mother knows it’s a work in progress. Parenting is a different beast every single day. Gwen and I really evolved. I kind of parented Gwen at first the way I wish my parents had parented me. As Gwen got older and older, I realized who Gwen was and who I needed to be as a parent for her. So we’re in a sweet spot right now. This is a good time for the camera to be there. We’re good buddies right now.
While we’re speaking about family, I do want to talk a little bit about Todd. A lot of people online seem to think there’s a very father/daughter dynamic with the way he kind of puts his foot down with certain things. What do you say to those people?
[Laughs]. I have never thought of Todd as my dad. I love my real dad very much and he doesn’t look like Todd, doesn’t act like Todd. Actually, my dad has Alzheimer’s and of very few people my dad remembers all of the time, Todd is one of them. So I can tell you, of course, I love Todd. I’m obsessed with him. What it feels like to be in our relationship is very different than what it looks like to other people, and I’m okay with that. But even my dad, who oftentimes does not remember who I am or what our history is, has always known who Todd was. And it really upsets my siblings because Todd is the newest member of our family. Their spouses and kids have been in the picture a lot longer than Todd. So Todd must be doing something right, because he is even deeply in my dad’s psyche.
I really liked the scene when you were like, “Todd’s embarrassing me right now.” I love that you were able to say that, because we should all be able to say when our significant others are annoying or embarrassing us and not have to sugarcoat it. It’s so real of you.
You’ll definitely get that from Todd and I in that episode and in other episodes, I’m sure. Todd and I are very much ourselves. We have a relationship that’s incredibly comfortable and very honest. There’s really nothing Todd couldn’t say to me or vice versa. I want to be clear that Todd does not ever embarrass me. His willingness to be the bad guy to protect Gwen and I, I really appreciate. But it does create a little bit of an awkward situation at the dinner table, and that is embarrassing. But he didn’t take that any kind of way when he saw that. He was like, “Yeah, I probably did embarrass you. But it’s what needed to be said.” So yeah, we’re very comfy with each other in that way. And it’s very realistic. Your spouse does irritate you sometimes, I’m sorry. They do embarrass you occasionally.
When people are like, “Oh, it’s just their sense of humor, it’s fine,” I’m like, no, sometimes, you get annoyed. It’s okay to be annoyed.
Shadily as possible, we’re not a couple that just goes, “I love that” about each other — if you catch my drift.
I don’t know if it’s just me picking up on this but it doesn’t really seem like this reality TV world is Todd’s favorite thing, which is totally understandable! How would he feel about you doing another season? Because I know the people are hoping you’re here to stay!
I mean, it’s definitely my decision. Todd has his work projects and I have a lot of opinions on them, but ultimately, how Todd handles himself at work is his call. I support whatever he thinks is best. Privately, I’ll tell him when I think he’s wrong. But it would definitely be my decision if Bravo wanted me to come back, if it was something I felt like was the right thing. I’d love for Bravo to want me back. I’d love to explore a deeper relationship with all the ladies on the show that I think we only get into the more we spend time together. But Todd is definitely not telling me I can’t. Todd is not my dad, no. I am not told what to do. Of course not.
I want to talk about Lisa. You guys have been good friends for a long time. When you joined the show, did you ever expect that you’d be feuding with her? And how is your relationship today?
No, I did not expect to have a problem with Lisa. I have known her for a long time and I love Lisa. I really care about her. I care about the boys. I love John. So it’s a real sadness that I still carry right now because I think our relationship is probably in the worst place it’s ever been in right this second. I don’t think that’s a place we’re going to be in forever. I’m really hopeful that there’s a very workable situation here. I think as I watch the episodes back, I see us kind of missing each other. I don’t see this really deep cut that’s happened between us. And if there is something on Lisa’s side that does feel like a deep cut, I really respect the longevity of our friendship, and I’d like to apologize. I’d like to work it out. I need to understand what that is so it could be a genuine apology, but I’m happy to give it to her. Whatever it takes to work things out with Lisa, I’m willing to do. And I really hope that she comes to the reunion feeling the same way about me.
How surprised were you by Lisa’s meltdown when she found out she’d be flying coach? And when was the last time you flew coach?
Okay, I’m not totally surprised that Lisa didn’t want to sit in coach. That feels very on-brand for “baby gorgeous.” “Baby gorgeous” needs a full-size, first-class seat at all times. I fly coach pretty regularly. I flew to New York in coach a couple of weeks ago because I waited until the last minute and that’s what was available. I fly Delta a lot. I don’t fly private every single time. I’m a 360 member, so sometimes I also just book coach knowing they’re going to upgrade me because I’m the highest Delta whatever. So I’ve never had a meltdown like that. But every once in a while, I mean, I was in 37F a couple months ago. I did send Todd some texts like, “You will not believe what this feels like.” I understand it’s not ideal, but I could’ve taken about five less minutes of that rant we got.
I do want to talk a bit about you and Heather because you two obviously got off on the wrong foot. How will we see this play out the rest of the season? Have you been able to make amends since filming?
I think you’re going to see that part two of this season, a lot of friendships shift. I was just thinking earlier as I watched the preview and I see this craziness that’s to come on the last cast trip. I think we all went into it feeling differently than we left Palm Springs. I feel much closer to Angie and Whitney. I was struggling with Lisa. Heather and I definitely have a moment where we try to work things out. I’ve always thought Heather and I were alike enough that we could be good friends, and I think we’re getting there. I’m hopeful. If Heather says something different, then shocking news for me. I’ll have to deal with that. But from what I think, we’re on the right path. I have read that wrong with her before, though.
Hey, listen, as long as one person’s willing to move forward, I’m sure we all can.
It’s my first reunion. I’m going in wanting to make it work with everyone.
Christian Siriano sung your praises on WWHL. What can you tell us about your friendship?
Well, this is my turn to sing his praises then, I guess. I love Christian. He is a dear friend of mine and he makes quite a bit of my clothing. He makes clothes for my daughter. Christian is a wonderful, wonderful friend. Whenever I’m doing a charity event or anything, Christian is the first person I go to for an auction item or experience. He has never, ever told me “no.” He’s very generous and I really appreciate that. But more importantly, he is one of very few people in my life who will tell me when I am out of pocket, or my outfit is not flattering, or that I need to be nicer to my husband. Christian’s a very honest friend. I appreciate someone who can tell me when I’m wrong and still get dinner with me after.
We’re a site that celebrates all things streaming. What are you streaming?
Oh my gosh, okay. Things I love. I love House of Villains because you have my girl Kandy Muse on there. I’m a huge Drag Race lover. I love every iteration of it, so I’m always streaming that. I’m into Shrinking right now. That’s on its second season, and I was obsessed with the first season. It feels like therapy. I need a lot of therapy. I have a lot of issues I still have to work out and evolve from. But it feels like fun therapy. So I love watching Shrinking, Drag Race. I used to love Traitors. Alan Cumming in all the plaid. I’m into Traitors.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City airs on Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo. New episodes are available to stream the next day on Peacock.
The post ‘RHOSLC’ Star Bronwyn Newport Laughs Off Speculation That There’s A Father/Daughter Dynamic In Her Marriage: “I Have Never Thought Of Todd As My Dad” appeared first on Decider.
