Jen Shah Gets Early Prison Release Date, But She’s Not Likely to Stage a Bravo Comeback
Jen Shah is headed home.
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City alum has been granted early release from prison, People reports. The Bravo personality turned felon is currently incarcerated at a federal prison camp in Bryan, Texas. She was expected to remain until August 2026. Instead, she’ll be freed on December 10.
Shah has been locked up since February 2023 after she received a 6½-year prison sentence for running a nationwide telemarketing scam. Since then, her sentence has been reduced several times for good behavior, participating in prison programs, and making progress on paying restitution to her victims.
Jen Shah is in a ‘positive, hopeful place,’ rep says
Shah hasn’t commented directly about her upcoming release. But her manger, Chris Giovanni, said his client was looking forward to spending the holidays as a free woman.
“Everyone’s very grateful for the BOP’s decision, especially because it means Jen will be able to reunite with her family for the holidays,” he told People. “It’s a gift she doesn’t take for granted.”
Shah is married to University of Utah football coach Sharrieff Shah. They have two sons, Sharrieff Jr. and Omar.
“Jen’s in a really positive, hopeful place mentally,” Giovanni added. “She’s done a lot of reflecting and real growth during her time away, and is genuinely not the same woman as she was before. Her focus is on her family and building a healthier, more grounded life. She understands the seriousness of the mistakes she made and is excited to put this chapter behind her so that she can show everyone the woman she’s worked hard to become.”
Could Jen Shah return to Bravo and ‘RHOSLC’?
So far, there’s no word on what’s next for Shah once she get out of prison. It’s also not clear if she’ll be able to head home immediately or will have to report to a halfway house to complete the remainder of her sentence.
But one thing that that probably isn’t in Shah’s immediate future is a Bravo comeback. She starred in the first three seasons of RHOSLC and provided plenty of juicy drama thanks to her legal troubles. But her contentious relationship with producer Andy Cohen means the odds are likely slim she’ll be invited back to the show.
In September, Cohen reportedly told audiences at a Watch What Happens Live taping that he “never” wanted to see Shah again. (Shah has previously claimed that Cohen hasn’t forgiven her for refusing his request for a one-on-one interview.)
Meanwhile, Frances Berwick, Bravo and Peacock’s head of unscripted programming, has hinted Shah would face serious challenges in attempting a comeback.
“For me personally, yeah,” she told Variety when asked if Shah’s crimes were less “forgivable” than those of some other Bravo stars. “But you know, again, I have no idea on the level of accountability. But yes.”
That said, serving time doesn’t automatically disqualify someone from returning to Bravo. That’s especially true if it makes for a good storyline, as anyone who’s watched The Real Housewives of New Jersey knows. Karen Huger from The Real Housewives of Potomac, was recently released after spending time behind bars on DUI charges. She received a standing ovation during her appearance at BravoCon 2025. She might be welcomed back if RHOP is renewed for season 11.
“It’s a variety of things, and it’s also about the level of accountability, the level of change that that person is going to make,” Berwick said when discussing which crimes Bravo is willing to look past. “The audience is with Karen, because they’re rooting for her, because they think and believe that this will profoundly change her. I took the standing ovation as a sign of support for somebody who’s now taken accountability. That’s borne out by what she says to Andy. And then I think that there are things that are less forgivable.”
For more news and exclusive interviews, follow Showbiz Cheat Sheet’s Instagram.
