Surviving Mormonism with Heather Gay Docu

Heather Gay, star of “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” and bestselling author of “Bad Mormon,” brings her raw journey of leaving the Mormon church to TV in a powerful new documentary series. “Surviving Mormonism with Heather Gay” is a three-part limited series that premiered on Bravo on November 11, 2025, pulling back the curtain on controversial practices and secrets inside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

This series doesn’t just stick to Gay’s own story. She sits down with abuse survivors, former church members, and ex-Mormon leaders who open up about their experiences.

Each hour-long episode chips away at the church’s polished public image. The show reveals the struggles many faced behind closed doors.

Gay uses her platform—and honestly, her own pain—to create space for tough conversations about faith, control, and healing. The series aired right after “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” and hit Peacock the next day.

This documentary feels like a big moment for ex-Mormons who’ve long wanted their voices heard.

Key Takeaways

• Heather Gay’s three-part Bravo docuseries exposes controversial practices and hidden stories inside the Mormon church, all told through survivor voices.
• The series dropped November 11, 2025, with interviews featuring abuse survivors, former members, and ex-church leaders.
• Victims finally get a platform to share what they’ve gone through and raise awareness about issues in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Overview of Surviving Mormonism with Heather Gay

This three-part documentary dives into controversial practices within the LDS church using personal stories and expert interviews. It premiered on Bravo in November 2025 and quickly landed on Peacock.

Show Concept and Purpose

Heather Gay, reality TV star and author, leads a deep investigation into the Mormon church’s shadowy past. She wants viewers to see what she calls the church’s “dark history,” and she doesn’t hold back.

Ex-Mormons, former leaders, and those who experienced trauma inside the church sit down for honest conversations. Gay reflects on leaving her faith while exploring what really goes on behind the scenes.

The documentary’s mission is simple: give victims a real platform. It covers abuse allegations, conversion therapy, and what some call church cover-ups.

Gay didn’t mince words, saying, “The house is on fire,” when talking about the church. The show aims to smash the church’s “seemingly perfect veneer” and show what’s underneath.

Key Episodes and Themes

There are three hour-long episodes, each tackling different corners of Mormon culture. The series doesn’t shy away from controversy.

It looks at outdated practices and their fallout. Families and individuals who left the faith talk about how these rules shaped their lives.

One big theme? LGBTQ+ issues inside the Mormon community. The show explores how church policies hurt queer members and their loved ones.

Abuse allegations come up too, as do stories about how leaders handled—or didn’t handle—these situations. Former leaders share what it was like from the inside.

Gay’s own journey from devout Mormon to outspoken critic ties everything together.

Release Dates and Viewing Platforms

“Surviving Mormonism with Heather Gay” hit Bravo on November 11, 2025 at 9:15 p.m. ET/PT, right after “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.”

On November 12, 2025, all three episodes dropped on Peacock. So binge-watchers could devour the whole thing in one sitting.

This was a limited series—no extra episodes are coming. Bravo hyped it as a special event, not an ongoing show.

Platform	Release Date	Viewing Option
Bravo	November 11, 2025	Weekly episodes
Peacock	November 12, 2025	Full series drop

The timing lined up with a wave of Mormon-focused content and heated debates about religion in pop culture.

Heather Gay’s Journey and Connection to Mormonism

Heather Gay’s transformation from loyal LDS member to outspoken critic is honestly fascinating. Her time on reality TV and her bestselling book gave her the perfect stage to talk about leaving the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Background from The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

Gay joined The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City as an original cast member. She showed viewers what it’s like to be a divorced mom in Salt Lake City’s very Mormon world.

The show let her talk openly about her Mormon roots. She didn’t hide the challenges of living in a place where almost everyone still follows the faith she left.

Audiences saw her struggle with Mormon culture up close. That visibility later helped her build credibility as she spoke out about church issues.

Departure from the LDS Church

Leaving the LDS Church changed everything for Gay. She started questioning beliefs and rules she’d grown up with.

She’s talked about feeling trapped by church expectations and strict gender roles. Walking away strained her family ties and friendships.

Honestly, her story echoes what a lot of ex-Mormons go through—social isolation, self-doubt, and the pain of losing community. Her openness resonated with others in the same boat.

She spent a lot of time reflecting on church teachings and questioning the structure behind them.

Authoring Bad Mormon

Gay wrote the New York Times bestselling book Bad Mormon, spilling the details on her faith journey and family life. The book is honest, sometimes painfully so.

Bad Mormon shot up the bestseller lists. People clearly wanted to hear about life inside—and outside—the Mormon bubble.

Her writing turned her into a voice for questioners and ex-members. The book set the stage for her later documentary work.

The memoir covers marriage, motherhood, and the pressure to fit in. If you read it, you’ll spot the same themes in her docuseries.

Uncovering Secrets and Stories Within the Mormon Church

The docuseries digs into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through stories from abuse survivors and former members. Gay explores conversion therapy and exposes how the church has handled abuse allegations over the years.

Conversations with Abuse Survivors and Ex-Mormons

Heather Gay sits down for emotional interviews with people who left Mormonism after serious trauma. David Matheson, once a conversion therapy advocate and now openly gay, shares how he once promoted practices he now regrets.

Former church leaders open up about institutional problems. One ex-bishop spills details about church procedures and how leaders handle tough allegations.

Gay reconnects with childhood friends who reveal abuse stories that were swept under the rug. Sisters appear, claiming clergy ignored their reports. Their stories paint a picture of institutional neglect.

The show gives ex-Mormons a real platform. Their stories show just how heavy it is to walk away from such a tight-knit faith.

Controversial and Outdated Practices

The documentary spotlights conversion therapy programs once endorsed by church leaders. Gay shows how these practices hurt LGBTQ+ members and pushed them to deny who they were.

Strict teachings around sexuality created shame for many. Members faced rules about behavior and relationships that often led to guilt and anxiety.

Gay looks at historical doctrines now seen as harmful. The show connects these beliefs to mental health struggles among members. It’s a tough watch, but it’s real.

Challenges Facing Abuse Reporting and Institutional Reforms

The series exposes deep problems with how the LDS church handles abuse reports. Survivors say they brought serious allegations to leaders, only to be ignored or silenced.

Gay documents cases where leaders seemed more interested in protecting the church’s image than helping victims. Some former leaders admit they didn’t follow proper procedures.

The show calls for more transparency and accountability in the Mormon church. Gay pushes for reforms so abuse reports actually get taken seriously. Survivor voices, she argues, need to be heard if anything’s going to change.

Cultural Impact and Reception

Since its November 2025 premiere, the docuseries has sparked heated debates about religious transparency and survivor advocacy. Media coverage has zeroed in on the show’s investigative approach, while viewers jump into big conversations about how religious institutions handle accountability.

Audience Response and Press Coverage

Surviving Mormonism with Heather Gay got plenty of press before its Bravo debut. Reporters focused on Gay’s move from reality TV star to documentary host tackling some seriously tough topics.

The series drew attention for its fearless look at controversial issues in the LDS Church. Critics liked how it mixed personal stories with survivor testimony.

Early buzz on social media was strong—ex-Mormon communities and curious viewers alike tuned in. The Peacock release brought in even more eyes.

Key Reception Elements:

• Critics praised the balance of personal storytelling and investigative reporting.
• Viewers loved seeing survivors finally get a voice.
• Social media conversations focused on the courage it took for people to share their stories.

Role in Ongoing Dialogue About Mormonism

This documentary pushes the conversation about religious accountability into the mainstream. For a lot of people, this is the first time they’ve seen these issues on national TV.

The series tackles tough subjects like conversion therapy and abuse allegations—topics that have long simmered both inside and outside Mormon circles. Gay’s own exit from the LDS Church in 2019 brings authenticity to the discussion.

Impact on Religious Discourse:

• Brings survivor stories to a national audience.
• Sparks dialogue about transparency in religious institutions.
• Offers educational insight into Mormon practices and culture.

The timing couldn’t be better, with broader debates about religious accountability happening everywhere.

Intellectual Property and Documentary Storytelling

Bravo’s investment in Surviving Mormonism shows the network wants to get serious about documentary content. The three-part format lets them dig into complex issues without rushing.

The series proves that reality TV stars can take on investigative roles and do it well. Gay’s background as both insider and critic gives her unique credibility.

Production Significance:

• Signals Bravo’s push to diversify its programming.
• Sets a precedent for reality stars hosting real investigative docs.
• Shows the network is ready to face tough social issues head-on.

By airing on both Bravo and Peacock, the documentary reaches the widest possible audience. It fits perfectly with the Intellectual Property Corporation’s strategy for bold, serious storytelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Surviving Mormonism documentary series has really sparked a lot of curiosity—people just keep asking about where to watch it, who’s in it, and how to see the whole thing. Let’s dig into the most common questions about Heather Gay’s three-part limited series.

What streaming platforms carry the ‘Surviving Mormonism’ documentary featuring Heather Gay?

You can catch the documentary on Bravo television network. If you’re into streaming, all three episodes landed exclusively on Peacock.

Got cable or satellite with Bravo? You’re set. Prefer streaming? Peacock’s got the entire series waiting for you.

How many episodes are included in the ‘Surviving Mormonism’ documentary with Heather Gay?

Surviving Mormonism sticks to three episodes, each about an hour long. It’s officially a limited series, so no endless seasons here.

Each episode dives into Heather Gay’s investigation of some pretty controversial stuff within the LDS Church. There’s a lot to unpack in just three hours.

Who is part of the cast in the ‘Surviving Mormonism’ documentary series?

Heather Gay leads the charge as host and star. You probably know her from The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, or maybe her book, “Bad Mormon.”

The series brings in interviews with abuse survivors and ex-LDS members. Some former church leaders and ex-Mormons also show up throughout the episodes—it’s a pretty raw lineup.

Is the ‘Surviving Mormonism’ documentary available on Peacock streaming service?

Absolutely. Peacock has all three parts, and they’re only streaming there. The episodes dropped on Peacock on November 12, 2025—mark that date if you missed it.

If you’ve got a Peacock subscription, you can binge the whole series after its Bravo TV run. It’s sitting right there in the streaming library, ready to go.

Where can I find reviews for ‘Surviving Mormonism with Heather Gay’?

Entertainment sites and TV review blogs have covered the series in detail. If you’re hunting for opinions, major streaming and TV review sites have plenty to say.

Critics and entertainment journalists haven’t held back on their thoughts. You can find reviews on entertainment news websites and even in the review sections on streaming platforms. Dive in and see what people really think—there’s a lot of chatter out there.

What is the release schedule for ‘Surviving Mormonism with Heather Gay’ episodes?

The first episode dropped on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 9:15 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo. They slotted it right after The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City—talk about a wild Tuesday night.

Then, on November 12, 2025, Peacock made all three episodes available for streaming. The whole series landed at once, so binge-watchers, rejoice!