If Lisa Barlow is going to do anything, it’s set the record straight. This time, there are no easels, posterboards or big red letters involved, but it’s exactly that type of creative thinking that earned her a coveted spot in Us Weekly’s annual Reality Stars of the Year issue.
In just six seasons, Barlow has cemented herself among the ranks of most iconic Housewives, so much so that when she was (very noticeably) absent from the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City season 6 premiere last month, the episode was still all about her and her alleged legal issues. Now, the Bravo star says she finds it “disgusting” that some of her RHOSLC costars raised questions about her money situation and ongoing lawsuit when she wasn’t there to defend herself.
“It was one thing to hear about it, and it was another thing to watch it. I watched it with the audience, so that was the first time I saw it,” she tells Us Weekly exclusively, praising both Britani Bateman and Heather Gay as “great” friends in that moment. “Angie [disappointed me]. I’m like, ‘I have fought for you. I’ve defended you. I’ve been a great friend to you. I helped prep you for things that you needed help with.’ When I’m your friend, I’m really your friend. I know some people don’t think I’m capable of being a friend. I’m a great friend, and I’m very, very loyal.”
While Barlow is back in the center of the action where she belongs, Us was — to quote Barlow herself — shaking, physically shaking when rumors swirled during filming that her premiere absence was due to contract negotiations with the network. Barlow, however, is quick to debunk that narrative.
“You think I’m gonna negotiate with Bravo for more money? I mean, come on,” she tells Us. “I know what is appropriate for my pay grade and not — and that’s not it.”
In what might be one of her most relatable moments ever, Barlow explained that she had to take a minute for herself.
“I needed to feel like me again. I think we all sacrifice different things for the show,” she explains. “It was super important that I am always being true to myself. I feel like over the last six years, I’ve given up things that I love to do.”
RHOSLC’s Lisa Barlow and Meredith Marks Preview All the ‘Lies’ in Season 6
Barlow made the decision to be very “hands-on” with her brand while filming, even as her businesses continue to be a topic of conversation among all the women. What better way for Barlow to “deny, deny, deny” any issues than with a cowboy-themed “Litigation by Lisa Barlow” luncheon featuring easels displaying printed-out posters of her lawsuits? (And don’t forget the hard-to-miss “dismissed” stamps placed over the court documents.)
To recap: Costar Bronwyn Newport claimed Barlow and her husband, John, were facing “multiple” legal issues. The women then referenced a 2024 Salt Lake Tribune article that alleged Barlow hadn’t paid back $400,000 in loans. (Angie Katsanevas faced backlash in the moment for a “bad analogy” where she compared Barlow’s situation to that of Jen Shah, who is currently in prison for fraud.)
Barlow denied these allegations to Us, and in typical Barlow fashion, she used the denial to take a shot at Newport, 40.
“We’re working towards ending this one case. There’s only one case against us since I’ve been filming, there were not five cases against me. Bronwyn misspoke,” Barlow says. “She’s not a legal expert. She’s not a lawyer. She is very nosy, and she’s very committed to retaliation and trying to expose me when there’s nothing to expose.”
Barlow confirms to Us that she “filed for a dismissal” before noting that “the public loves to criticize” all of the Housewives — especially when lawsuits come into play.
“I’ve only had civil cases, and we own a lot of businesses, and we’ve been doing it for a very long time. Litigation is part of it,” Barlow explains. “Sometimes people think allegations are evidence. Allegations are what you do in a lawsuit. You throw everything in and the kitchen sink. You allege anything and everything you can think of, especially when you have a case where you don’t have a document.”
Another point she wants to clarify is Katsanevas’ claim that Barlow has been using “another man’s credit card” to pay off outstanding loans.
“I don’t spend another man’s money. In fact, I make my own money. I don’t need to spend another man’s money,” Barlow tells Us. “I’ve owned multiple businesses across multiple platforms, and they all work together.”
She adds, “I don’t need to spend another man’s money. My husband’s an amazing provider. I am an amazing provider, and I don’t need to spend anybody else’s money.”
The ‘RHOSLC’ Cast Breaks Down the ‘Sisterhood’ That Keeps Them Together
While John is still very much Barlow’s person, the two have experienced a rough patch over the past year. It’s not always yachts and courtside seats at Utah Jazz games for the couple, who have been married since July 2003 and share sons Jack, 20, and Henry, 13.
“No marriage is perfect, right?” she tells Us, noting that there was “a major disconnect” between them which fans will see unfold as RHOSLC season 6 continues.
“I feel like John felt disconnected from me. I felt disconnected from him, not out of love, not ending anything — we are each other’s person,” she says. “We love each other, but all relationships are hard, especially when you have a million other things going on.”
The Barlows are often seen as the most solid duo on RHOSLC, rarely sharing anything but love, but John let his guard down and got “super vulnerable” with his feelings as they navigated this rough patch.
According to Barlow, she and John had to get “to the root” of their disconnect. “It was like a feeling that we had to address,” she adds, confirming that she will “fight” for her marriage to John, no matter the circumstances.
Despite the seriousness of this conversation, Barlow still got her jokes in, referring to herself as the “bartender” in her household.
“I think there [are] easy outs like, ‘Oh, she’s not a good listener.’ I’m a great listener. That’s how the house functions. I hear everything,” she notes. “I know the needs of my kids, I know the needs of my husband.”
And don’t worry: The word “divorce” was never uttered between them.
“Everybody’s relationships are different. For us, it was more like we don’t want it to go further, because we do love each other. We love each other’s company,” she explains. “We love each other as people. We have a strong foundation together. He has the moral compass of a saint. So, I feel lucky I’m with him.”
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City airs on Bravo Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET. Stream old episodes anytime on Peacock.
For more with Barlow and the other Reality Stars of the Year, pick up the new issue of Us Weekly, on stands now.
