‘Sister Wives’ star Christine Brown opens up about ‘devastating’ oxycodone addiction
More Sister Wives? With the Brown family still feeling the ripple effects from the fights and separations of season 16, it’s hard to imagine where they can go from here.
Christine Brown‘s decision to split from Kody Brown — and by extension, his three wives, Meri Brown, Janelle Brown and Robyn Brown — left the polygamous family and viewers in shock. “After more than 25 years together, Kody and I have grown apart and I have made the difficult decision to leave,” the TLC personality wrote via Instagram in November 2021. “We will continue to be a strong presence in each other’s lives as we parent our beautiful children and support our wonderful family.”
The duo, who “spiritually wed” in March 1994, share six children: son Paedon and daughters Aspyn, Mykelti, Gwyndlyn, Ysabel and Truely.
Following her decision to end her marriage, Christine confessed that she wasn’t sure what would happen to the rest of the family. “It’s not just a marriage I’m leaving,” she said during the Sister Wives: One on One tell-all special in February 2022. “It’s a whole family. And it’s Sister Wives. And what does that do to us? I don’t know.”
Though she worried that leaving the family was “selfish,” Christine ultimately realized, “I’ve got to live my life for me too. I wasn’t present. I wasn’t happy. It just wasn’t working anymore.”
Christine isn’t the only wife struggling in her polygamous relationship. Janelle revealed during a January 2022 episode of the show that she was also considering calling it quits with Kody. “I’ve had to really think. My children are almost grown and there’s not a huge necessity anymore to stay. It was a wonderful way to raise children,” she told cameras during season 16.
Janelle continued: “With Kody and I right now, our relationship is pretty strained. And you know, it’s easy to walk away.”
Both Kody and Meri have also been honest about their strained relationship, with the former even declaring during the tell-all that the pair are “just friends” and no longer have a romantic or intimate relationship. “I’m not ever going to be in a conjugal relationship with her because I’m not going to go through that emotional torture ever again,” he revealed. “I’m not trying to make Meri sound bad — it’s just a bad match.”
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Meri, for her part, explained that despite their rocky marriage, she felt a sense of loyalty to the plural family she has been a part of. “From where I am, it’s been 31 years now that we’ve been married [and] I’m still committed. I’ve made my choice. I’m still here. I do still have hope,” she said at the time. “I just feel peace when I think about staying in the family because it’s what I want. It’s what I know is right for me.”
With so many difficult relationships — and one divorce — it’s unclear what the future holds for the Sister Wives stars.
Keep scrolling to find out everything we know about season 17.
Credit: Courtesy of TLC
Filming Has Already Begun
After Christine’s son, Paedon, was asked on TikTok if she’ll still appear on the show “if there’s another season of Sister Wives,” the Army soldier revealed that production was already underway on season 17. “They are filming currently,” he wrote in January 2022, seemingly teasing that cameras have still been following Christine.
Christine Has a New Show
After season 16 wrapped up, one cast member announced a new ventur. “A taste of something new!” TLC wrote via Instagram in February 2022. “#SisterWives’ Christine will be bringing you some of her favorite recipes on the new digital series #CookingWithJustChristine, dropping every Sunday [on Instagram] and on TLC.com.”
Janelle is Not ‘In Sync’ With Kody
Viewers saw Janelle and Kody clash over their different rules regarding COVID-19 during season 16 and the pair haven’t managed to settle their disagreements yet. “Kody didn’t trust [sons Gabe and Garrison],” the mother of six explained during the tell-all, adding that “several of [Kody’s] children are at odds with him because of the way his COVID rules went down.”
Kody, for his part, confessed that he’s “not talking” to the two boys. “We need therapy. I need a sit-down with my boys and [to] get something straight,” he said at the time. “I’ve gotten to the point where I’m so angry about what happened that we’re not communicating. And I think they are too.”
Kody is ‘Done’ With the Drama
As a result of all of the tension between him and his wives, a source told Us Weekly exclusively in January 2022 that Kody was contemplating finding new partners. “He is not happy with the other wives threatening to leave,” the insider said. “He’s considering starting fresh with new wives. … He wants to be with women who can accept the fact that he’s most committed to Robyn and devoting his time to her.”
Kody and Robyn Are Still Going Strong
While his marriages to Janelle and Meri might be on the rocks, Kody and Robyn’s romance is stronger than ever. “He’s spending all his time with Robyn. The others are in their own world, living their own lives,” a source told Us in January 2022. “He spent the holidays with Robyn and her kids. He didn’t even try making plans with the others. All the wives were very much separated for the holidays, spending time with their own families.”
There’s Tension Between Everyone
It’s not just the wives who are upset with Kody. “Dad’s relationship has always [had] ups and downs with all of us,” Paedon told Us in February 2022, referring to his 17 siblings. “There are times when he’s the absolute best [and] there are times when he’s the absolute worst. … He’s always fluctuated, and people’s opinions of him have fluctuated.”
The construction worker also confessed that he and Robyn have a difficult relationship as well.
“Dad found the woman he loves. Robyn found the man she loves,” Paedon said. “Robyn found someone who wants to take care of her children. Yeah, I mean, I’m not super stoked about everything because you can’t be stoked about everything with everyone, but no, I don’t hold grudges against them for them finding love. And for [her kids] finding an amazing dad.”
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Kody and Robyn Are Still Going Strong
While his marriages to Janelle and Meri might be on the rocks, Kody and Robyn’s romance is stronger than ever. “He’s spending all his time with Robyn. The others are in their own world, living their own lives,” a source told Us in January 2022. “He spent the holidays with Robyn and her kids. He didn’t even try making plans with the others. All the wives were very much separated for the holidays, spending time with their own families.”
There’s Tension Between Everyone
It’s not just the wives who are upset with Kody. “Dad’s relationship has always [had] ups and downs with all of us,” Paedon told Us in February 2022, referring to his 17 siblings. “There are times when he’s the absolute best [and] there are times when he’s the absolute worst. … He’s always fluctuated, and people’s opinions of him have fluctuated.”
The construction worker also confessed that he and Robyn have a difficult relationship as well.
“Dad found the woman he loves. Robyn found the man she loves,” Paedon said. “Robyn found someone who wants to take care of her children. Yeah, I mean, I’m not super stoked about everything because you can’t be stoked about everything with everyone, but no, I don’t hold grudges against them for them finding love. And for [her kids] finding an amazing dad.”