Mary Cosby’s Church EXPOSED in Shocking New TLC Docuseries ‘The Cult of the Real Housewife’
Mary Cosby’s Church EXPOSED in Shocking New TLC Docuseries ‘The Cult of the Real Housewife’
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Mary Cosby is once again under the spotlight — but it’s not for her sharp one-liners or lavish lifestyle.
On Wednesday, November 12, TLC announced a three-part docuseries titled The Cult of the Real Housewife, which will investigate the controversial church Mary, 53, shares with her husband, Robert Cosby Sr. “With claims of spiritual and financial misconduct circling Cosby and the church, The Cult of the Real Housewife unpacks the allegations behind the headlines and reveals the darker and more unsettling truth,” TLC said in a press release.
Mary’s late grandmother, Dr. Rosemary “Redmon” Cosby, founded Faith Temple Pentecostal Church in 1968. After her passing, Mary became first lady and evangelist, while Robert took on the role of bishop.
The network says the new series will feature investigative journalists and bloggers who’ve tracked Mary’s story for years, alongside “deeply personal and disturbing accounts” from family members, including Mary’s sister Denise Jefferson Odinaka and cousin Dan Cosby with his wife, Kim.
“Featuring access to recordings of controversial sermons delivered by Mary and Robert Cosby Sr., as well as extensive archival footage from the early days of Faith Temple, The Cult of the Real Housewife pulls back the salacious headlines and dives deeper into the enduring mysteries at the core of the scandal,” the statement continued. “How have Mary and Robert Cosby Sr. managed to avoid accountability for so long?”
Ever since helping launch The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City in 2020, Mary has opened up her life to Bravo cameras. After taking a break in Season 3, she returned as a “friend” in Season 4 and is now back as a full-time Housewife in Season 5.
Faith Temple Pentecostal Church — which was closed for more than two years for renovations — recently reopened with some services already underway. During its closure, the church became the center of legal and financial controversy, including a lawsuit filed by Mary against former executives.
Former members have described the church as a high-control environment and claimed they experienced “extreme religious trauma.” Some even allege that Mary referred to herself as God and warned followers they’d “go to hell” if they left.
Financial allegations have also surfaced. Several ex-congregants claim they were pressured to donate all of their savings and even mortgage their homes to give to the church. One member allegedly donated $300,000. Others say they were forced to work unpaid at church-owned businesses like salons and restaurants.
Despite the accusations, Mary has consistently denied any wrongdoing. In a 2021 interview with Entertainment Tonight, she addressed the “cult” allegations directly.
“They’ve been saying that since my grandmother started the church,” she said at the time. “They say that about pretty much every church. It’s no cult. I was taught church should be a place where love always flows.” “Once people know me — my church members — they know those are false allegations,” she continued. “It’s, like, ridiculous. Clearly I’m not going to get on national television, be a Housewife and be in a cult. Come on, no. I believe in my church.”
Mary also rejected claims that she lives off the donations of her congregation.
“I have intelligent church members … and they’re not just going to give me God’s money, and I’m not going to take it,” she said. “I would never do that. I’m so not in it for the money. I believe in what I do. I believe in what I’m saying. I love my church and I love what’s there.” Fans can expect even more from Mary this season. In the midseason trailer for RHOSLC, released November 11, the star is seen inviting castmates to attend a service at her church.
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo. The Cult of the Real Housewife premieres Thursday, January 1, at 8 p.m. ET on TLC, with all episodes streaming the next day on Max and discovery+.
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Avigail is an Entertainment blogger at All About The Tea, who specializes in The Real Housewives of Atlanta and The Real Housewives of Potomac. Avigail has a background in marketing. She’s a Brooklynite living in the Bahamas, with a passion for travel, writing, reality TV watching, pop culture and spoken word.