RHOSLC's Jennie Nguyen Reacts to Husband Duy Suggesting They Get a Sister Wife
"It was shocking to me," The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City cast member said on WWHL.
The October 17 episode of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City ended with an emotional conversation between Jennie Nguyen and her husband, Duy Tran.
Jennie and Duy continued to discuss the future of their family while getting in some couple's time with a skiing excursion in the episode (clip above). Though Duy wants to expand their family beyond their three kids, Jennie has expressed that she doesn't want to have more children due to where she is in her life right now and the fact that it could be dangerous since she previously experienced several miscarriages and a pregnancy that resulted in a stillbirth.
"Both Jennie and I are immigrants. I'm the youngest of five, and we've always wanted a big family. And now with what life has dealt us, I understand where my wife is coming from," Duy said in an interview during the episode. "But deep down inside, yes, I still want more children. So I struggle with this."
Duy brought up the possibility of using a surrogate to carry their child or adopting, but Jennie said that she didn't think they would be able to raise a toddler at this stage of their lives. So, Duy then suggested that they bring a sister wife into the family. "This is not about our family; this is about what you want. You're not thinking about me," Jennie told her husband, appearing to be taken aback by the proposition. "I don't want to talk to you about it. I'm pissed."
Jennie then got up out of her seat and walked away from her husband as the episode came to a close.
During her debut appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on October 17, Jennie reflected more on these conversations with her husband about having more kids. "You know, with every family, we have family planning, and we have discussed about having a big family and what we wanted. He's still stuck in that moment, but you know, life dealt me and him a different hand," Jennie shared in the below clip. "So, I'm trying to deal with it and moved on; he has not."
Jennie also revealed that was the first time Duy ever proposed they get a sister wife. "Yes, and it was shocking, if you can imagine sitting there," she said. "It's like, are you serious? Are you just gonna bring this up now and not discuss this with me prior?"
Host Andy Cohen noted, "Because he's not only bringing it up for the first time; he's bringing it up on camera."
"Exactly. And it was shocking to me," Jennie added in response. "I didn't know what to say."
In addition to Jennie and Duy both noting in the episode that this is a familiar concept in their culture, Jennie said on WWHL that it's also "not something new in Utah." "There's been other families that have a sister wife," she explained. "So we're used to the idea. So it's not something new for us."
Jennie was also asked on WWHL why she didn't ask her husband to not talk about his desire to have more children on-camera. "So, for me, it's reality TV, and it has to be my life, and I have to be open about it," Jennie said in the below clip. "And I feel like I need to express and talk to the world how I live my life because people can relate. There's a lot of people relating."
Andy, who is an executive producer of The Real Housewives, said that "they are supposed to live their lives as they would," before applauding Jennie for her candor this season, "You did the right thing."
Some of Jennie's fellow Salt Lake City Housewives also praised her for being so open this season, including and Lisa Barlow, who tweeted that Jennie "is an amazing mom with three beautiful children," and Whitney Rose, who wrote on Twitter, "Thank you for being brave and sharing your story."
Jennie showed her gratitude for all of the kind words she has received and also lent her support to others who have gone through a similar experience in a post on Instagram on October 17. "Thank you everyone for your support and love. Sharing my story is the hardest thing I’ve ever done," Jennie captioned a photo of herself and Duy from their day out skiing. "I want to send a message to women that are dealing with this that you are not alone. I love you, stay strong!"
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