Jen Shah is Busy Hosting ‘Barbie’ Themed Fashion Shows in Prison

Jen Shah is Busy Hosting ‘Barbie’ Themed Fashion Shows in Prison

Jen Shah is actively engaging in prison life by organizing ‘Barbie’ themed fashion shows behind bars.

On February 17, 2023, the ex-Real Housewives of Salt Lake City personality commenced a 5-year, 6-month prison term at FPC Bryan Prison in Texas for participating in a widespread telemarketing fraud.

Exactly a year into her sentence, Jen Shah, 50, offers a reflection on her transformative year in an exclusive piece for PEOPLE.

Jen shared the significant impact of therapy, her religious beliefs, and the support from her fellow inmates. Furthermore, she shares wisdom imparted by her husband, Sharrieff Shah, with whom she has been married to for almost three decades and has two sons, Sharrieff Jr., 29, and Omar, 19.

Accompanying Jen’s narrative is the debut official photograph of her, captured in September at a Barbie-themed hair contest.

In the image, Jen, alongside fellow inmate Ashley Rhea Johnson (“AJ”), 37, stands in front of a Barbie box backdrop. They are dressed in themed attire, with Shah embodying “Adventure Barbie” and Johnson representing “Slumber Party Barbie.” Johnson, hailing from Houston, Texas, consented for her image to be featured in this article.

Below, find Jen’s open letter as shared with PEOPLE:

“I have been away from my family for one year. The depth of my pain is unrelenting and indescribable. However, throughout this painful process, God has substantially increased my humility, gratitude, and courage. Upon entering FPC Bryan, I wholeheartedly believed that no one was suffering as badly as I was. I quickly recognized that so many women are here battling and overcoming circumstances far worse than mine. Their resilience inspires and truly humbles me.”

She continued, “Recognizing that God continues to bless me not withstanding my wretched and unpredictable surroundings; expressing sincere gratitude has been my most effective coping mechanism. Despair and depression are companions that strive to capture my undivided attention every single day. Praying five times a day helps keep these and other emotional serpents at bay. I am most grateful for the aspects of my life that have never left me: My Family and Faith. Thank you God.”

She added, “In my daily prayers, I ask God for the courage to realize I am worthy of a second chance. Through the countless therapy sessions and classes I have taken, I am finding the courage to set my fear and guilt aside. My husband tells me every morning that I have to fight for my happiness. He said it takes unimaginable courage to smile, and find joy and laughter despite my circumstances. This photo was taken nearly eight months after I surrendered. My husband’s advice finally settled into my heart and I found the courage to smile, find genuine joy and laughter by participating in a Barbie Hair Show Competition as “Adventure Barbie”. My Barbie team and I razzle-dazzled the Real Hair Updo category with a fully choreographed routine to Latto’s “Big Energy!” It brought me so much joy to put smiles on my fellow inmates faces. (And yes, we won our category.)”

Jen concluded, ” There is still so much I must learn while I am here at FPC Bryan, I am grateful God has given me a better foundation to appreciate his unwavering love and blessings to fight for that moment of happiness each day.”

In March 2021, Jen, alongside her assistant Stuart Smith, was apprehended and faced charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud related to telemarketing and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Initially, Jen maintained her innocence before federal prosecutors, even attempting to get the charges dropped in August 2021, a request that was ultimately denied. However, by July 2022, Shah reversed her stance, entering a guilty plea. Originally sentenced to 6.5 years in prison, her sentence was reduced by a year in the following March.

During her sentencing, Jen expressed remorse, stating, “I am sorry. My actions have hurt innocent people. I want to apologize by saying, I am doing all I can to earn the funds to pay restitution.”

Jen’s decision to plead guilty surprised her Real Housewives of Salt Lake City co-stars, who had previously supported her. Despite her absence from the cast, they have continued to talk about Shah in the show’s fourth season.

Throughout these challenging times, Jen’s husband has remained a constant source of support. For her 50th birthday in October, he reached out to 50 of Jen’s closest friends and family to orchestrate a celebration that deeply moved her to tears.

In a heartfelt video posted on his Instagram, Sharrieff expressed gratitude, stating, “Just know that Jennifer was showered with love and she was comforted today on this special day. We appreciate every single person who’s praying for us, who has sent beautiful thoughts our way and who continue to love us unconditionally. We love you right back.”

Priya Chaudhry, Jen’s attorney, has stated that Jen is “determined to make restitution to those whose lives she has impacted.”

“Jen Shah’s resolve to make her victims whole and to turn her life around is unyielding,” read a statement to PEOPLE given in February 2023. “She is committed to serving her sentence with courage and purpose, fueled by her desire to make amends for the hurt she has caused and to help others in her new community.”

Chaudhry added: “Her path ahead will be filled with challenges, but with the unwavering love and support of her family and friends, Jen is prepared to face these challenges head-on and emerge from this experience a better person who makes a positive impact on others.”

The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City can be streamed in full on Peacock.

 

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