‘Real Housewives’ star ran a cult-like church, family members claim
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Reality star Mary Cosby’s television fame is now colliding with serious allegations in a new TLC docuseries examining allegations of cult-like behavior at the church she runs with her husband.
The three-part series “The Real Housewife Cult” investigates Faith Temple Pentecostal Church and allegations of spiritual manipulation, financial coercion and emotional control that former members say occurred behind closed doors.
The docuseries traces the roots of Faith Temple to its founding by Mary’s grandmother, Rosemary “Mama” Cosby, who was highly respected in the congregation.
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A former church member took out a $300,000 second mortgage on his home and gave the money to Mary Cosby, underscoring the financial entanglements involved. (Koury Angelo/Bravo via Getty Images)
Following “Mother” Cosby’s death, leadership of the church passed to her husband, Robert Cosby Sr., Mary’s step-grandfather. This man’s subsequent marriage to Mary sparked controversy and signaled what critics described as a dramatic shift in church culture.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Mary Cosby for comment.
Dan Cosby, Mary’s cousin, told Fox News Digital that what he witnessed at Faith Temple fundamentally changed his trust in church leadership.
“How he was going to do this, how he was going to use his authoritarian leadership style and how he was going to talk to other brothers and sisters in the church…turning them against me or other members,” Dan said, referring to Robert Cosby Sr. “I wasn’t the only one. There were others who left because they saw the writing on the wall.”
Dan said the behavior was unpredictable and deeply disturbing, especially since it often seemed calculated.
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“There are two sides to Robert…almost a double personality,” Dan said. “You see his true form come out – a total Jekyll-and-Hyde… He would preach to people in church, actually call them out and mock them… it was just embarrassing.”
Over time, this behavior escalated to public humiliation during church services, Dan said.
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Mary was born to her step-grandfather, Robert Cosby Sr., in 1998. He married. (Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images)
“You were just afraid to leave. People were afraid to leave,” he said. “This is hurting people.”
For Dan, his time at Faith Temple revealed what he called a troubling pattern of abuse masquerading as spiritual guidance. He said church leadership often exploits members’ faith to ensure obedience and loyalty.
“You were just afraid to leave. People were afraid to leave. It hurts people.”
In the documentary series, Dan claimed he endured corporal punishment as a child and witnessed abuse, including kneeling on pins and watching another child being beaten. Robert Cosby Sr., a former military man, is accused of pushing Dan during a prayer session, and Dan said this was the turning point that led him to leave the church.
“To understand, I think the ‘Real Housewife Cult’ points out that trauma is real and people will manipulate that and make you think God is a certain way,” she told Fox News Digital. “They will add their own righteousness to what they believe.”
He warned that such manipulation can be subtle and make it difficult for members to realize they are being exploited.
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“I think this sheds light on the fact that people can be in a cult and not even realize they’re in a cult,” he said.
Dan said members were embarrassed for not giving and financial pressure was at the heart of the alleged control.
“People can be in a cult and not even realize they’re in a cult.”
“It wasn’t clear what was going to happen to you… but the pressure and the pressure that you knew you had to give more [being told] “You’re cheap,” he said.
Scripture was used to reinforce guilt and make members feel condemned.
In “The Cult of the Real Housewife,” former members described the emotional toll allegedly imposed by church teachings that required impossible choices. (Natalie Cass/Bravo via Getty Images)
“They would put all kinds of pressure on the scriptures,” he said, adding that it made members feel condemned. “But when you bring your faith into it and you think you’re doing the right thing, they put guilt on you that you’re going to hell, damn you, if you don’t do it.”
Dan said one of the most damaging tactics was to invoke the legacy of the church’s beloved founder, “Mother,” whose teachings emphasized personal faith and moral action.
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“One of my mother’s messages was, ‘Know God for yourself,'” Dan said. “But then they began to worship this man and this woman as their God.”
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The second season of “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” introduced a former church member named Cameron in what was described in the docuseries as a deliberate attempt to expose Mary and show viewers “who she really is and what she’s all about.”
He noted the financial entanglements involved, saying he took out a $300,000 second mortgage on his home and gave the money to Mary.
Mary Cosby and Robert Cosby Sr. appeared during the “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” reunion. (Heidi Gutman/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
This storyline played a significant role in revealing the tensions and debates around Mary’s character and her relationships within the social circle depicted in the series.
Dan’s wife, Kim Cosby, told Fox News Digital that she, too, has endured a complicated journey filled with faith, family struggles and painful divisions within her religious community.
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In “The Cult of the Real Housewife,” she described the emotional toll imposed by church teachings that required impossible choices, even between her husband and God.
“Extremely,” Kim told Fox News Digital when asked how damaging it was to be told to choose between her husband and God. “If I say I’m going to go home and cook…then I’m putting it above God.”
“It’s always been a competition… if I don’t do what they say, I’m putting my husband above God.”
She added: “It’s always been a competition… if I don’t do what they say, then I’m putting my husband above God.”
Kim said “Mama” Cosby’s approach is focused on unity and support; This was in stark contrast to the divisive tactics he claimed emerged following leadership changes within the church.
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Meredith Marks, Mary Cosby, Bronwyn Newport, Angie Katsanevas, Lisa Barlow, Heather Gay and Whitney Rose are pictured on Season 6 of “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.” (Koury Angelo/Bravo via Getty Images)
No matter how painful the past, Dan and Kim see signs of healing and hope in the present.
Recalling two tumultuous years, Dan said: “20 years later… this year, it’s 2025 and with the help of the ‘Real Housewife Cult’… my family – Kim, my daughters, my grandchildren – I’m in their lives and we’re stronger than ever.”
However, Dan emphasized that recovery is not simple or quick.
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“That doesn’t mean the pain isn’t there… Our past, those examples come back to us and that pain, that would only be enough for God to forgive,” he said.
TLC’s “The Cult of the Real Housewives” series is available to stream on HBO Max and Discovery+.
