‘Sister Wives’ Star Janelle Brown Shocks Everyone by Labeling Her Relationship as ‘Friends With Benefits’

Over and over again, two of Kody Brown’s first three wives have mentioned a lack of intimacy in their marriages. It was pretty easy to assume that Janelle Brown, although reluctant to speak about it on Sister Wives, was also experiencing a dead bedroom following Robyn Brown’s entrance into the family. Apparently, that was not and has never been the case. Janelle Brown shocked viewers by describing her relationship with Kody as a “friends with benefits” situation. While Janelle never came out and overtly said it, the description suggests the intimate side of their relationship didn’t suffer. Clearly, every other part of it did. 

Janelle Brown reveals she and Kody Brown were ‘friends with benefits’ for years 

The Sister Wives cast can still surprise viewers, even after 18 seasons. Over the last few seasons, each cast member has delivered a bombshell revelation or two. Janelle delivered one in the most recent episode of the series when she described her and Kody Brown’s relationship over the last several years as “friends with benefits.” 

Her admission shocked many Sister Wives viewers. Considering the mother of six’s reluctance to broach the topic of sex, it was a surprise to hear her refer to their relationship in such certain terms. Still, if you think about it, it makes a great deal of sense. 

The ever-independent Janelle has always required less overt attention from Kody Brown and likely felt perfectly comfortable with a situation where she had a part-time partner. Likewise, Kody probably felt comfortable maintaining the intimate side of their relationship because Janelle asked for little else from him. 

Things appear to be falling apart now because Janelle no longer sees Kody bringing a great deal of value to her life. It’s clear that their “friends with benefits” setup worked for years, though. Kody is hardly her friend now. Janelle appears to be mourning the loss of that dynamic rather than the death of a full, robust marriage. 

Sex wasn’t on the table for Meri and Christine Brown 

Before ending their marriages to Kody Brown, both Meri Brown and Christine Brown revealed they had lackluster sex lives. A lack of physical intimacy led to Christine walking away from Kody. It appears to have factored much less into Meri’s decision despite the long dry spell. 

While Meri hung on to her troubled marriage longer than Christine did, the bedroom issues seem to have been a bit more extreme for Meri Brown. In a season 16 tell-all episode, she revealed there had been no intimate moments with Kody for more than a decade. More recently, she again confirmed that she and Kody had not shared a private moment for years. In a recent confessional interview, she questioned why he suddenly cared what bed she slept in. 

Christine Brown took Kody at his word when he said sex wasn’t really on the menu during a season 16 episode. Shortly after the admission, she boxed up his things and sent him on his way. Christine has given multiple reasons for the end of her marriage since that moment. Still, a lack of intimacy certainly seems to have lit the fuse.