Heather Gay exposes dark side of Mormon church in confronting new docuseries
Heather Gay is stepping far beyond reality television drama in a confronting new documentary series examining abuse, secrecy and power within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Premiering on 7Bravo this weekend, Surviving Mormonism with Heather Gay is a three-part investigation led by the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star and author of the bestselling memoir Bad Mormon.
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The series first screened in the United States late last year and marks its Australian premiere on 7Bravo and 7plus.
Known to viewers for her outspoken personality and “good time girl” image on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, Heather Gay takes a far more serious and personal approach in the new series.
Across three hour-long episodes, she speaks with abuse survivors, former church leaders and ex-Mormons while reflecting on her own departure from the church.
Rather than focusing on reality television conflict, the series examines broader issues connected to the LDS Church, including allegations of abuse, victim silencing and high-control practices.
In the opening episode, “A Bad Mormon”, Heather Gay discusses her own experience leaving the church and interviews David Matheson, a former advocate of conversion therapy who has since come out as gay.
The second instalment, “The Highest Level of Heaven”, examines obedience culture within the church and includes testimony from a man who says church leadership ignored abuse he suffered as a child.
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The final episode, “Change Is Gonna Come”, centres on two sisters sharing their experiences of sexual abuse while exploring healing and calls for systemic reform.
The series also delves into what Heather Gay describes as the modern “Mormon 2.0” image on social media, touching on influencer culture and highly curated online personas linked to the faith.
According to the series, this polished online aesthetic can mask more restrictive elements of church life behind the scenes.
The documentary is produced by The Intellectual Property Corporation, the company behind Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, giving the series a similar investigative tone focused on survivor experiences and institutional accountability.
A major thread throughout the series is Heather Gay’s own personal reckoning. She openly discusses moments where, because of her upbringing and indoctrination within the church, she failed to believe abuse survivors in the past.
The program positions her journey as both an investigation into the church and an examination of her own growth after leaving the Mormon faith.
Surviving Mormonism with Heather Gay premieres 10.30pm Sunday, 17 May on 7Bravo and 7plus.
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