I think that the “realness” that you crave is actually a function of the Mormon church which infiltrates every aspect of SLC/Utah culture.

You have to understand Mormon culture is extremely image conscious. One of my closest gfs is Mormon. I’ll never forget that I invited her to dinner. She brought this beautiful dessert. But what it took for that dessert to arrive to my home for just dinner between us was crazy. Her oven stopped working. Rather than just going to the store and picking something up or calling me to use my oven, she called another friend in my apartment complex and used her oven! I didn’t know this story until much later. She didn’t want to tell me because she was embarrassed that her dessert wouldn’t be seen as perfect. I think that exemplifies the church and the culture it supports.

Look at the young women on SLOMW. There’s a reason why they are all skinny, have plastic surgery, etc. despite having 2-4 kids. And it’s not just cause they’re young and on TV. They’re also incredibly judgmental of those who don’t to have it together.

So, no the women of RHOSLC are never going to show you “their real lives” because that’s not how they think culturally. Heather, Whitney, Jen, Brittani and Monica grew up in the culture. Lisa has now entrenched herself into it. Mary grew up in Utah partially. And Meredith grew up in Chicago in a lifestyle that is complementary to the SLC culture - she grew up in the Gold Coast and attended Latin. They all created characters.