Kody Brown Opens Up About Polygamy Challenges and His Journey on Special Forces
In a revealing episode of Fox’s competition series “Special Forces,” Kody Brown of TLC’s “Sister Wives” fame shared candid insights about his polygamist lifestyle and the significant personal challenges he has faced. Speaking with fellow contestant Andrew East, Brown reflected on his experiences with multiple marriages, the subsequent divorces, and how these relationships have affected his family dynamics. His appearance on the show has given viewers a more intimate glimpse into the reality of plural marriage beyond what was portrayed on “Sister Wives.”
Brown’s polygamist journey began long before television cameras started following his family. Growing up in a culture where plural marriage was accepted as part of the belief system, Brown followed in his father’s footsteps, who himself had three wives. This foundation led Kody to eventually have four wives – Meri, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn – and father eighteen children across these relationships. However, the reality has been far less idyllic than perhaps initially portrayed on television. “I had 18 kids with four wives,” Kody explained during the episode. “It has been three divorces and I would never do that again — I would never marry again.” This stark admission reveals the emotional toll his lifestyle choices have taken, leading to a complete shift in his perspective about relationships.
The Brown family’s dynamics changed dramatically in recent years, with three of Kody’s four marriages ending in succession. Christine was the first to leave in November 2021, followed by Janelle in December 2022, and finally Meri in January 2023. These separations have created ripple effects throughout the family, particularly affecting Kody’s relationships with his children. “There ended up being some bad blood with family over the divorces. In some cases with my children, communication has ceased,” Kody admitted during the show. This fractured communication with his children represents one of the most painful consequences of his failed marriages. While acknowledging his disappointment in these strained relationships, Kody seems to maintain some boundaries around personal responsibility, stating, “When you don’t have a deep connection with your children, that is a disappointment. But there are probably certain things I won’t own. I will own where I should.”
Now married only to Robyn Brown, whom he legally wed in 2014 primarily to adopt her three children from a previous relationship, Kody appears to be in a period of significant personal reflection. His participation in “Special Forces,” a physically and mentally demanding competition show, seems to be part of this journey. When approached about joining the cast, Kody recalled telling Robyn, who initially suggested they would need to discuss it. After months passed without that conversation, Robyn ultimately acknowledged the inevitability of his participation, saying, “I know you’re going to do it. There’s no way I can stop you.” For Kody, the challenge represented more than just a television opportunity – it offered purpose and motivation for physical improvement that he described as “almost spiritual,” suggesting he may be seeking redemption or renewal following the dissolution of most of his family structure.
The show has also provided an unexpected platform for deeper connections with fellow contestants, particularly with former NFL player Andrew East. East described having “fascinating theological discussions” with Kody, spending hours exploring Brown’s biblical understanding and the path that led him to plural marriage. These conversations reflect the curiosity many people have about polygamist lifestyles, while also humanizing Brown beyond the controversial figure he’s often portrayed as in media. East noted that these discussions fostered empathy and understanding, even when their perspectives diverged. This suggests that despite the public judgments often directed at Brown’s lifestyle choices, there remains space for meaningful human connection and mutual respect across differing worldviews.
As viewers continue to watch Kody’s journey on “Special Forces,” which airs Thursdays on Fox, they witness a man at a crossroads – someone who once firmly believed in and practiced plural marriage but now definitively states he “would never do that again.” His evolution from a polygamist patriarch of a sprawling family to a man experiencing broken relationships and seeking new purpose reflects a deeply human story of belief, consequences, and adaptation. While Brown doesn’t express regret for his past choices explicitly, his acknowledgment of the pain and disconnection that resulted from them offers a nuanced picture of a controversial lifestyle rarely seen with such candor. Whether viewers support or criticize his former lifestyle, Kody’s willingness to share these vulnerable reflections provides valuable insight into the complex reality behind polygamist families that television shows often simplify or sensationalize.
