Mary Cosby

Last updated

Mary Cosby
Born (1972-10-17) October 17, 1972 (age 51)
OccupationTelevision personality
Known for The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City
Spouse
Robert C. Cosby
(m. 1998)
Children1

Mary Martha Cosby (formerly Harris; [1] born October 17, 1972) [2] is an American television personality. She is best known as an original cast member on the Bravo reality television series The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City .

Contents

Early life

Mary Cosby is the youngest of her siblings. [1] [3] Her grandmother, Rosemary "Mama" Cosby, founded Faith Temple Pentecostal Church in 1968. [4] Following Rosemary's death in January 1997, [5] controversy arose between her widower, Bishop Robert C. Cosby, and her children—specifically Rosalind Cazares, Mary's mother—over the division of Rosemary's assets, which included a printing company, day care, beauty salon, record store, and Gospel radio station. [6] [7] This controversy was exacerbated after Robert married Mary, his step-granddaughter, in September 1998. [8] [9] Because of the marriage, Mary Cosby is estranged from her mother. [1] [3]

Career

In September 2020, Cosby was announced as a cast member of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City . [10] Noah Samton, an executive at NBCUniversal, stated that the show was conceived after they discovered Cosby, and eventually found other personalities for a full The Real Housewives installment in Salt Lake City. [11] In addition to The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, she has also appeared on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen . [12]

Having missed the second season's reunion special, she did not return for the show's third season. [13] [14] She returned as a friend of the show in its fourth season, and returned as a full-time cast member in the fifth season. [15] [16]

Personal life

She married Dana Harris, but was later divorced. [3] She married Bishop Robert C. Cosby, her step-grandfather, in September 1998. [1] They have a son, Robert Jr. [17] Cosby has described her marriage as an "arranged marriage" and has stated, "It was kind of in my grandma's will for us to marry." [18] Through her marriage, she became the First Lady of Faith Temple Pentecostal Church. [19] [20]

Controversies

Cosby has been the subject of allegations that Faith Temple Pentecostal Church is a cult, particularly from former church members and several of her fellow The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City cast members. [13] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] She has denied the allegations, calling them "false" and "ridiculous". [26]

In April 2021, she was charged with unlawfully providing shelter to a runaway and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. She pled not guilty to the charges in August 2021, and the charges were dropped in September 2022. [27] [28]

In December 2021, she issued an apology for racist comments she made on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, having stated, "When I think about Jen [Shah], I see heartless, I see a thug. Like, you know, those Mexican people that make all those drugs." [29] [30]

In September 2024, she sued two executives of United Security Financial, accusing them of embezzlement. [19]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</span> Largest church in Mormonism

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is the largest Latter Day Saint denomination, tracing its roots to its founding by Joseph Smith during the Second Great Awakening. The church is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, and has established congregations and built temples worldwide. According to the church, as of 2023, it has over 17.2 million members of which over 6.8 million live in the U.S. The church also reports over 99,000 volunteer missionaries and 350 temples.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warren Jeffs</span> American sex offender and cult leader (born 1955)

Warren Steed Jeffs is an American cult leader who is serving a life sentence in Texas for child sexual assault following two convictions in 2011. He is the president of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a polygamous cult based in Arizona. The FLDS Church was founded in the early-20th century when its founders deemed the renunciation of polygamy by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be apostate. The LDS Church disavows any relation between it and the FLDS Church, although there are significant historical ties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minerva Teichert</span> American painter of Western and LDS art (1888–1976)

Minerva Bernetta Kohlhepp Teichert was a 20th-century American artist who painted Western and Mormon subjects, including murals of scenes from the Book of Mormon. She received her art education from the Art Institute of Chicago and the Art Students League of New York, and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Religious-themed artwork by Teichert includes Christ in a Red Robe, Queen Esther, and Rescue of the Lost Lamb. She painted 42 murals related to stories in the Book of Mormon which reside in Brigham Young University's (BYU) Museum of Art. Teichert was the first woman invited to paint a mural for an LDS Church temple.

Mary Ellen Wood Smoot was the thirteenth Relief Society General President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1997 to 2002.

The Real Housewives is an American reality television franchise that began on March 21, 2006, with The Real Housewives of Orange County. Each installment of the franchise documents the personal and professional lives of a group of affluent women residing in a certain city or geographic region. Eleven different series have been produced in the United States, and there are 21 international adaptations in addition. The American series is broadcast on Bravo; previously the Miami installment aired for a time on Peacock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cynthia Bailey</span> American model, reality television star, and actress

Cynthia Denise Bailey is an American model, reality television personality, and actress. Born and raised in Alabama, she moved to New York City at the age of 18 to pursue a modeling career. There, she signed a five-year contract with Wilhelmina Models, and subsequently appeared as a model in various magazines and advertising campaigns. She worked as a runway model in Paris and Milan.

Mormon feminism is a feminist religious social movement concerned with the role of women within Mormonism. Mormon feminists commonly advocate for a more significant recognition of Heavenly Mother, the ordination of women, gender equality, and social justice grounded in Mormon theology and history. Mormon feminism advocates for more representation and presence of women as well as more leadership roles for women within the hierarchical structure of the church. It also promotes fostering healthy cultural attitudes concerning women and girls.

<i>The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City</i> American reality television series

The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City,, is an American reality television series originally developed and cast by Los Angeles-based production company InventTV and then Shed Media. It is broadcast on Bravo. The Salt Lake City series is the tenth installment of The Real Housewives franchise, and it follows the personal and professional lives of women who live in or near Salt Lake City, Utah. It has aired four seasons in total; with the first season having premiered on November 11, 2020, and the most recent season, fourth season, premiered on September 5, 2023.

<i>The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City</i> season 1 Season of television series

The first season of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, an American reality television series, is broadcast on Bravo. It premiered on November 11, 2020 and was primarily filmed in Salt Lake City, Utah. Lisa Shannon, Dan Peirson, Sergio Alfaro, Michaline Babich, Luke Neslage, Lori Gordon, Adam Karpe and Andy Cohen.

<i>The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City</i> season 2 Season of television series

The second season of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, an American reality television series, is broadcast on Bravo. It premiered on September 12, 2021, and was primarily filmed in Salt Lake City, Utah. Its executive producers are Lisa Shannon, Dan Peirson, Lori Gordon, Chaz Morgan and Andy Cohen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lisa Barlow</span> American television personality

Lisa Brandine Barlow is an American businesswoman and television personality. She is best known as a cast member of the reality television series The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.

Jennifer Shah is an American television personality. She is a former cast member of the reality television series The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. Shah pleaded guilty to a criminal conspiracy charge in 2022, for which she is serving prison time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heather Gay</span> American television personality (born 1974)

Heather Jill Gay is an American television personality, businesswoman and author. She is best known for appearing as a main cast member on the reality television series, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, since the show's inception in 2020.

<i>The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City</i> season 3 Season of television series

The third season of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, an American reality television series, is broadcast on Bravo. It premiered on September 28, 2022, and was primarily filmed in Salt Lake City, Utah. Its executive producers are Lisa Shannon, Dan Peirson, Lori Gordon, Luke Neslage and Andy Cohen.

<i>The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City</i> season 4 Season of television series

The fourth season of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, an American reality television series, is broadcast on Bravo. It premiered on September 5, 2023, and was primarily filmed in Salt Lake City, Utah. Its executive producers are Lisa Shannon, Dan Peirson, Lori Gordon, Luke Neslage and Andy Cohen.

<i>The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City</i> season 5 Season of television series

The fifth season of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, an American reality television series, is broadcast on Bravo. It premiered on September 18, 2024, and is primarily filmed in Salt Lake City, Utah. Its executive producers are Lisa Shannon, Dan Peirson, Lori Gordon, Luke Neslage and Andy Cohen.

Meredith Marks is an American television personality. She is best known as an original cast member on the Bravo reality television series The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, in which she has starred since 2020.

Whitney JoAnne Rose is an American television personality. She is best known as an original cast member on the Bravo reality television series The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, in which she has starred since 2020.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Mims, Bob (November 7, 1998). "Marriage of Faith Temple Leader To Step-Granddaughter Fuels Feud". The Salt Lake Tribune . Vol. 257, no. 24. p. C-1. Retrieved September 25, 2024 via Newspapers.com.
  2. @Mary_M_Cosby (October 17, 2020). "I am a Libra. Happy Birthday to all the Libras out there. 💋 💕 ♎" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  3. 1 2 3 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW | Mary Cosby's Parents Tell All! #RHOSLC. Up and Adam!. January 19, 2022. Retrieved September 27, 2024 via YouTube.
  4. Manson, Pamela (March 9, 2007). "Mama Cosby estate feud reopens". The Salt Lake Tribune . Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  5. "Dr. Rosemary Redmon Cosby, "Mama"". Indianapolis Recorder . Vol. 102, no. 3. January 18, 1997. p. D7. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  6. "Death Notices" . The Indianapolis Star . Vol. 94, no. 215. January 11, 1997. p. B-6. Retrieved September 27, 2024 via Newspapers.com.
  7. Mims, Bob (August 4, 1998). "Church Split By Feud For Fortune" . The Salt Lake Tribune . Vol. 256, no. 112. p. B-1. Retrieved September 25, 2024 via Newspapers.com. In a probate dispute pitting two children of the late church founder, Rosemary "Mama" Cosby, against her widower and current Faith Temple leader, Bishop Robert C. Cosby, Thorne said he would appoint a special administrator to oversee a complete inventory of the late preacher's estate. The judge also said Monday that he will issue a restraining order preventing Cosby from selling property or transferring assets that Mama Cosby's daughter, Rosalind Cazares, and son, Ernest Walton, believe their mother owned.
  8. Mims, Bob (December 1, 1998). "Mama Cosby's Children Switch Lawyers". The Salt Lake Tribune . Vol. 257, no. 48. p. B-4. Retrieved September 25, 2024 via Newspapers.com.
  9. Mims, Bob (February 20, 1999). "Suit Disputes Faith Temple Founder's Property Transfer". The Salt Lake Tribune . Vol. 257, no. 129. p. D-2. Retrieved September 25, 2024 via Newspapers.com.
  10. Hearon, Sarah (September 9, 2020). "'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City': Meet the Cast, Watch the Trailer". Us Weekly . Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  11. Keegan, Rebecca (January 19, 2024). "'The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' Is Having a Moment". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  12. Nolfi, Joey (October 11, 2023). "Disgusted 'RHOSLC' star Mary Cosby refuses Ziwe's fish sandwich gift". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  13. 1 2 Aurthur, Kate (January 7, 2022). "Mary Cosby Ditches 'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' Reunion, and Presumably Quits the Show". Variety . Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  14. Gajewski, Ryan (February 5, 2022). "Mary Cosby No Longer Involved in 'The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City'". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  15. Aurthur, Kate (August 19, 2024). "After Wild Fourth Season, 'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' Sets Season 5 Premiere Date, Bravo Releases First Trailer". Variety . Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  16. Strause, Jackie (August 19, 2024). "'The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' Sets Cast and Season 5 Return Date". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  17. McCormack, Aly (September 20, 2022). "RHOSLC: Mary Cosby Celebrates Charges Against Her Being Dropped". Screen Rant . Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  18. Costabile, Sabrina (November 12, 2020). "RHOSLC: Mary Cosby's Marriage To Step-Grandfather Was 'Arranged'". Screen Rant . Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  19. 1 2 Means, Sean P. (September 19, 2024). "'Real Housewife' Mary Cosby is suing the people who ran the finances of her church". The Salt Lake Tribune . Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  20. Fox, Derick (September 20, 2024). "'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' star sues executives of her church's business firm". KTVX . Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  21. Felbin, Sarah (January 17, 2022). "'RHOSLC' Star Mary Cosby Says She Isn't Running A Cult". Women's Health . Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  22. Lylo, Madeline (January 18, 2022). "RHOSLC: Mary Cosby's Church Reportedly Shut Down". Screen Rant . Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  23. Witter, Brad (September 24, 2021). "Former Church Members Allege 'RHOSLC' Star Mary Cosby Is Running A Cult". Bustle . Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  24. Monteil, Abby (September 16, 2021). "'The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' Star Mary Cosby Accused of Running A Cult by Ex-Congregation Members". Decider . Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  25. Roundtree, Cheyenne (September 16, 2021). "Is This 'Real Housewives' Star Really Running a Cult? Ex-Church Members Say Yes". The Daily Beast . Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  26. Sander, Brice (January 27, 2021). "'RHOSLC': Mary Cosby on Internet Allegations & Going MIA From Season 1". Entertainment Tonight . Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  27. Pierce, Scott D. (September 13, 2022). "Charge of harboring a runaway dismissed against ex-'Real Housewives of SLC' star Mary Cosby". The Salt Lake Tribune . Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  28. Schonfeld, Alexandra (September 19, 2022). "Criminal Charges Dropped Against Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Star Mary M. Cosby". People . Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  29. Towers, Andrea (December 13, 2021). "'RHOSLC' star Mary Cosby apologizes for racist comment about Jen Shah". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  30. Brockington, Ariana (December 13, 2021). "'Real Housewives' star Mary Cosby apologizes for controversial comment". Today . Retrieved September 25, 2024.