Kody Brown, the prominent figure in Sister Wives season 18, inadvertently caused emotional distress to three of his wives due to his overwhelming affection for Robyn Brown. Now, the question arises as to which of these women endured the most significant impact from this situation.
Sister Wives patriarch, Kody Brown, has gained a reputation as one of the worst reality TV husbands due to his failed relationships with multiple wives. While it may be assumed that Meri Brown suffered the most, the truth is that another wife, Janelle Brown, endured even greater pain. Although Meri faced humiliation and Christine Brown dealt with extreme jealousy, it is Janelle who has been left the most heartbroken. There are valid reasons why Janelle received the harshest treatment from Kody and arguably deserved it the least.
In the world of crime, individuals who commit three offenses often face “LWOPPED,” meaning life without the possibility of parole. While Kody is not a criminal, his treatment of his rejected wives bears similarities to this concept. Despite already striking out three times, he still has one wife remaining, Robyn Brown, who continues to stand by his side. Kody’s actions towards his wives have been questionable at best, showing only half-hearted concern, an obsession with Robyn, and extreme egomania. After being abandoned by wives he largely ignored, Kody expressed optimistic hope for healing with his exes. However, this may be a naive belief on his part.
It is clear that Janelle Brown, one of the Sister Wives, did not deserve to be treated this way by Kody.
In Janelle’s personal life, she is a single woman. In the past, she met Kody and felt a strange familiarity with him, even though he was a stranger. While meeting Kody may not have been the main reason for her divorce from Adam Barber, it did happen after she was introduced to Kody. It’s possible that Janelle fell in love with Kody at first sight and couldn’t forget about him. In season 18, Kody has been open about Janelle finding him attractive.
Although Janelle was likely instantly attracted to Kody, who had a much happier demeanor back then, it took them a while to enter into a true spiritual union. They courted for many years before making things official, which can be seen as a red flag because it doesn’t reflect a passionate, reckless love. In contrast, Kody moved quickly with Robyn and couldn’t wait for their wedding.
From the beginning, Janelle didn’t experience the same intense passion from Kody that Robyn received. However, she didn’t know what Kody was like when he was truly in love because Robyn wasn’t there yet. When Robyn arrived, the other wives realized that Kody became a different man with his fourth wife.
Despite not having the same level of romantic connection as he has with Robyn, Janelle and Kody have their own unique chemistry, which is likely why he wants to reconcile with her. Their conversations are filled with energy, whether positive or negative, indicating a bond between them. However, it may not be as romantic for Kody as it is for Janelle. It seems that Janelle may not fit Kody’s ideal type, as he fell hopelessly in love with someone who had different physical attributes. Nevertheless, they entered into a spiritual union and had children together.
Kody and Janelle have multiple children together, including Logan Brown, Madison Brush, and Hunter, Robert, Gabriel, and Savanah Brown. The fact that they share so many children is what makes their situation so sad. While Christine also has many children with Kody, she was mentally ready to leave and quickly found happiness after the split. Janelle, on the other hand, was more hesitant, sometimes leaning towards leaving but then drifting back emotionally. She is nostalgic for the past, while Christine wants to move forward.
Because of these reasons, Janelle is likely suffering the most, although she has transformed her appearance with a significant weight loss since the split. Losing 100 pounds seems to have lifted a psychological burden from her, as if her body changed due to reduced stress and pain.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further strained the relationship between Kody and Janelle.
The relationship between Kody and Janelle took a permanent turn due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Janelle and her children found it challenging to adhere to Kody’s strict rules and instead followed the guidelines provided by the CDC. This led to resentment from Kody towards Janelle and Christine when they traveled to Utah during the crisis, as he believed they were disregarding his rules and putting him, as well as Robyn and their children, at risk.
The pandemic and Kody’s stringent rules caused a physical separation that ultimately led to an irreparable rift between them. It took some time for Janelle to come to terms with the fact that their problems couldn’t be resolved, but she eventually reached that point, which may be for the best. However, it’s important to note that she still loves Kody, potentially making his years of neglect particularly challenging for her. Despite being a strong woman who tries not to complain, Janelle reached a breaking point in season 18 after displaying immense patience.
In 2022, Kody openly expressed his difficulties with Janelle, stating that they were not truly in sync as a couple. While they remained in the relationship, their lack of alignment became evident. As time went on, Kody’s doubts about polygamy only grew stronger. It is possible that he stayed in their plural marriage to please Robyn, as he didn’t want to lose her respect. This situation is genuinely saddening, as staying with multiple women to satisfy another woman guarantees unhappiness for all parties involved. The irony lies in Robyn’s desire for monogamy, although she may not have been entirely honest about it.
When Kody expressed his desire for his wives to conform to patriarchy, Janelle made a surprising statement, mentioning that she didn’t sign up for that. This comment may seem odd, considering that being in a polygamist relationship implies agreeing to live in a situation where the man has control. Kody firmly believes that Janelle knew exactly what she was getting into. However, the comparison to Ken from Barbie and the patriarchy highlights the uncomfortable nature of this dynamic. The outdated notion that women should be inferior or subservient no longer applies, as women are capable of incredible achievements. Whether it be excelling in music like Bjork or holding positions of power such as prime minister, women no longer need to feel inferior. Equality should be the norm for everyone, and Kody must break free from years of indoctrination.
There were indications that this spiritual union would not survive. For instance, in 2022, Kody missed spending Thanksgiving with Janelle and her children. Although this may appear insignificant, such small instances often reveal a more significant story. Each slight, no matter how minor, accumulates and intensifies the bitterness. By the time Season 18 of Sister Wives aired, Janelle had accumulated considerable anger. She had been Kody’s companion for a long time when what she truly desired was a lover. Kody was unable to provide her with the passion that Robyn received, which was insufficient for Janelle or any woman.
Janelle has undoubtedly faced many challenges and heartbreak throughout this journey. Underneath all the anger lies profound sadness. However, she is a courageous woman who is moving forward. While thoughts of Kody may still cross her mind occasionally, Janelle possesses the resilience to overcome this. She is actively seeking ways to enhance her life and does not require a patriarch telling her what to do. Kody used to criticize her for living like a single woman, but she had no other choice since he was always with Robyn. Meri Brown also experienced her fair share of pain.
Although Janelle’s pain may have been the most evident, it should not undermine the suffering that Meri endured. Meri was the epitome of meekness and gentleness, surpassing even Janelle in her ability to turn the other cheek. She endured countless humiliations inflicted upon her deliberately by Robyn and Kody. It’s worth noting, however, that Meri herself was not completely faultless in this situation. She had engaged in an act of infidelity, mistakenly believing she was flirting with a man, only to discover it was a woman. This revelation deeply upset her, as she identified as straight. While acknowledging that she was deceitfully fooled, Meri must also bear some accountability for succumbing to temptation while trapped in a loveless marriage. Consequently, she had to face the consequences of her actions.
An additional point to consider is that Christine Brown no longer relies on Kody Brown for her happiness.
Christine is currently experiencing one of the happiest phases of her life. She has numerous hopes and dreams that have started to come true. Unlike some people, Christine did not find monogamy to be a good fit for her. While being in a plural marriage had its perks due to the children involved, Christine found it exhausting to share her husband, Kody, with another wife, namely Robyn. Her jealousy prevented her from thriving in a situation where her husband preferred someone else.
Luckily, Christine made the decision to leave, and her transformation has been remarkable. She looks incredible and is constantly wearing a smile. She happily posts videos of herself baking, sans makeup, and completely comfortable in her own skin. Unlike Meri and Janelle, Christine does not feel the need to constantly please others. She is unapologetically herself. Although she does enjoy glamming up occasionally, her confidence remains unwavering. It has been truly inspiring to witness her self-growth. Taking that risk when she left Kody has paid off, despite the possibility of negative consequences like losing her fanbase’s support.
Christine is now seen as a hero. Her bold exit paved the way for a subsequent departure, leaving Robyn as the only wife left standing beside Kody. Now Robyn is stuck with a grumpy and bitter partner who mopes about being abandoned, even though their separation was orchestrated by him. Yet, he tries to depict his ex-wives as villains. In contrast, he has expressed a willingness to reconcile with Janelle.
Janelle, having become healthier and slimmer, can now move forward. She should never consider going back to Kody, as he is toxic and detrimentally affects her well-being. Christine, being more of a risk-taker than Janelle, found it easier to transition out of the marriage. Taking such a bold step into the unknown likely excited her. Although Christine desired a partner and eventually found one, she would have been content without one as well.
The ex-wives of Season 18 of Sister Wives are all kind women who were trapped in loveless plural marriages. While Robyn received royal treatment, the other wives couldn’t even get Kody to show them intimacy. The entire situation was a charade that the Browns maintained for years. While the ex-wives are finding their authenticity, Kody continues to play to the public. He struggles to accept the consequences of his actions and hold onto his polygamist image. He desperately needs to do some inner work and find grace and forgiveness.
What’s done is done, and there is no way to undo the past. Although Janelle suffered the most from the situation, the best thing she can do is focus on other aspects of her life. The world does not revolve around Kody, and she should keep that in mind.
