Las Culturistas: "The Protagonist" (w/ Heather Gay)

Podcast: Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers & Bowen Yang
Date: November 26, 2025
Guest: Heather Gay (RHOSLC)
Network: Big Money Players / iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

In this highly anticipated episode, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang are joined in-studio by Heather Gay, star of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (RHOSLC), author of "Bad Mormon," and fan-favorite Bravo personality. The conversation is a deep, humorous, and heartfelt look at reality television, friendship, leaving one’s past behind, and the transformative power of culture. They also reminisce about their forming friendship in Cannes, the Culture Awards, and Heather’s place as the “protagonist” of her franchise.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. RHOSLC, Authenticity, and the Structure of Housewives

• Heather’s Role as the Protagonist ([32:24]):
  • Matt and Bowen celebrate Heather’s centrality to the show’s narrative and the refreshing authenticity RHOSLC brings to the Bravo universe.
  • Quote (Bowen, 32:39): "From the beginning, very much the—and I think that everyone would agree—very much the protagonist of the show."
• Cast Dynamics & Consistency ([46:42]):
  • The group discusses the true ensemble energy of Salt Lake City, the importance of showing up as their real selves, and why the cast has a 'can’t change' chemistry.
  • Quote (Heather, 46:52): "We all think that we can evolve and change. We all think we're improving, and we just are exactly who we are. And there's so much comfort in that to me."

2. Heather’s Departure from Mormonism & Writing 'Bad Mormon'

• Personal Growth & Catharsis ([37:14], [39:50]):
  • Heather reflects on leaving the Mormon church and how writing "Bad Mormon" was both painful and freeing; she draws parallels between leaving a faith and other forms of self-liberation, like coming out.
  • Quote (Heather, 39:50): "The only way I've seen it happen for people like me is if something bigger comes along... Housewives came along and offered me more than I ever anticipated I could have, and the book gave me the opportunity to explore that."
• Boundaries, Transformation, and Visibility ([40:32], [40:43]):
  • The group explores how self-judgment and boundaries influence identity, with Matt equating “Bad Mormon” to the coming-out experience.

3. The Impact of Reality TV & Housewives on Heather’s Worldview

• Reality TV as Inspiration ([41:40], [42:24]):
  • Heather credits reality TV with showing her there were other ways to be a woman besides what her culture prescribed.
  • Quote (Heather, 42:25): "Watching a woman say something that I could never say. It penetrated my heart... Watching that just became… a way to, like, you know, suddenly see beyond the world you were expected to live in forever."
• Giving Back by Being Vulnerable on TV ([42:55]):
  • Heather feels a duty to authenticity, feeling indebted to the genre that showed her another world.

4. Behind-the-Scenes: Friendship & Filming

• Friendships Old and New ([33:32], [33:54]):
  • Heather discusses her long history with Angie K., addressing viewer misconceptions and how friendships shift on and off camera.
• Living Authentically On and Off Show ([49:08], [49:41]):
  • She shares how being local celebrities has “no currency” in Utah and how that tightens her friendships with castmates.
  • Quote (Heather, 49:41): "Being on the show doesn't have a lot of currency in our community... They don't give us any currency for the fact that we're on this show, that has changed our lives so fundamentally."

5. BravoCon, Crossover, and Bravo Universe

• BravoCon Encounters ([18:16], [19:02]):
  • Stories from BravoCon, including run-ins with Jersey and Salt Lake housewives, insights into cast drama, and Heather’s contagious Bravo enthusiasm.
  • Quote (Heather, 34:18, about Angie K.): "She represents such a huge part of Utah and of Salt Lake City, specifically the Greek community. And she has been exactly who she is since she was fifteen."
• Below Deck Adventure & Crossover Moments ([75:52]):
  • Heather’s experience on "Below Deck Adventure" is highlighted as a surreal, bucket-list crossover.

6. Heather’s Approach to Life, Friendship & Letting Go

• Friendship Philosophy & Boundaries ([97:32], [98:03]):
  • Heather’s openness to challenging friendships, the pain and humility of letting people go (including her break with Jen Shah).
  • Quote (Heather, 98:47): "I've closed the door on that for good reasons, you know... my whole arc on Housewives—maybe Jen is coming back, and that's my perfect exit."
• Growing Pains, Letting Go, and Change ([99:49], [100:38]):
  • Discussing whether she might exit the show, her readiness to move forward without needing to hold onto every friendship.

7. Cultural Formative Moments & Heather's Personal Awakening

• Heather’s 'Culture' Moment ([85:53]):
  • The first song that pierced her cultural bubble was “Blister in the Sun” by Violent Femmes, which changed her chemistry and opened her to new worlds.
  • Quote (Heather, 86:47): "Every part of me lit up... I understood none of it and I understood all of it, and it changed my chemistry."
• Queer Resonance & Representation ([91:11]):
  • Heather expresses that her journey, while not queer in the sexual sense, is one of breaking societal boxes and has a kindred energy.
  • Quote (Heather, 91:22): "I feel like my books have quite a queer perspective, if I'm allowed to say this at a program."

8. Culture Awards, Cannes & Housewife Culture

• Formation of New Bonds ([56:42], [57:45]):
  • Emotional stories of Heather reconnecting with her past in Cannes, and the symbolic journey from her Mormon mission to her new life as a public figure.
• The Culture Awards Night & Housewife Camaraderie ([66:14], [67:58]):
  • Reflections on the joy and surreal honor of attending the Culture Awards, and Mary Cosby's memorable approval.
  • Quote (Heather, 67:23): "I've known her for years. Never have I received such honor." (on Mary Cosby)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Becoming a Protagonist:
  "I think that everyone would agree, very much the protagonist of the show." – Bowen, [32:39]

• On Reality TV as Escape and Blueprint:
  "Watching a woman say something that I could never say... It penetrated my heart." – Heather, [42:25]

• On Letting Go of Jen Shah:
  "I've closed the door on that for good reasons, you know... my whole arc on Housewives—maybe Jen is coming back, and that's my perfect exit." – Heather, [98:47]

• On Living in Her Truth:
  "I never thought I would be there, and they never thought I would be there. And then when I was there, everyone was just like, what the fuck?" – Heather, [73:06]

• On Her First Culture Moment:
  "Every part of me lit up... I understood none of it and I understood all of it, and it changed my chemistry." – Heather, about hearing "Blister in the Sun" by Violent Femmes, [86:47]

• On Queer Energy and Breaking Boxes:
  "I feel like my books have quite a queer perspective, if I'm allowed to say this at a program." – Heather, [91:22]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time | Segment/Topic | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | 32:24 | Heather’s role as RHOSLC protagonist | | 39:50 | Writing "Bad Mormon" and leaving the church | | 41:40 | Watching reality TV as an escape | | 42:55 | Giving back to the medium through authenticity | | 46:42 | Realness and cast chemistry on RHOSLC | | 49:41 | Local celebrity “having no currency” in Utah | | 56:42 | Cannes memories and transformative return | | 66:14 | Culture Awards, camaraderie, Mary Cosby picture | | 73:06 | On being the 'unexpected' central figure on RHOSLC | | 75:52 | Below Deck Adventure and Bravo crossovers | | 85:53 | Heather’s "culture was for me" moment – Violent Femmes | | 97:32 | Heather's friendship philosophy, breaking away from Jen Shah | | 98:47 | Closing the chapter on Jen Shah | | 104:19 | Coming up this season: Greece trip, costumes, Captain Jason | | 115:38 | I Don't Think So, Honey segment (skiing anxiety) |

Tone & Language

The episode is playful, bright, honest, and deeply reflective. Heather brings humor and warmth, Matt and Bowen are their usual earnest, slightly irreverent selves, and all three move fluidly between pop culture, personal milestones, and wider philosophical musings. There’s a notable mutual respect and genuine affection between the hosts and Heather, and the conversation feels like a true meeting of cultural minds and friends.

Summary Table: Key Moments & Quotes

| Speaker | Moment / Topic | Time | Quote | |-------------------|----------------------------------------|-----------|----------------------------------------------------------| | Bowen | On Heather’s centrality | 32:39 | "Very much the protagonist of the show." | | Heather | On reality TV as blueprint | 42:25 | "It penetrated my heart... I could never say." | | Heather | Letting go of Jen | 98:47 | "I've closed the door on that for good reasons..." | | Heather | On being herself | 73:06 | "I never thought I would be there, and they never..." | | Heather | First pop-culture awakening | 86:47 | "Every part of me lit up... changed my chemistry." | | Heather | Queer energy and art | 91:22 | "My books have quite a queer perspective..." |

Closing Thoughts

This episode stands out as a thoughtful, behind-the-curtain look at what it means to upend one’s history, helm a cultural phenomenon, and thrive against the odds. Heather Gay’s vulnerability and humor combine with Matt and Bowen’s incisive yet affectionate questioning for a must-listen, especially for Bravo fans, but with plenty of resonance for anyone fascinated by reinvention, pop culture, and the stories we tell about ourselves.

For more, follow Matt, Bowen, and Heather, listen (or re-listen!) for the I Don't Think So, Honey rants and the giddy Culture Awards stories, and catch RHOSLC Tuesdays on Bravo.