Sister Wives’ Kody Brown Calls Himself a “Bastard” in Emotional Apology to Ex‑Wife Janelle Brown
In a startling confession during the December 7, 2025, episode of Sister Wives, Kody Brown admitted to serious regret — calling himself a “bastard” as part of an emotional apology to his ex‑wife Janelle Brown.
After years of marital breakdown and public scrutiny, Kody appears to have launched what he calls an “apology tour,” starting with Janelle. In the sit‑down, he acknowledged having been “angry and bitter” over the dissolution of their plural marriage, admitting the harshness and bitterness were undeserved.
“I’ve been a bastard for about three years … I think the meanest thing that I did was I said I didn’t love you,” Kody said, owning up to the deep emotional pain he caused. He recognized that his words were a lie — rooted in pain, not truth — and expressed sorrow for how his bitterness impacted Janelle and the family.
What Prompted the Apology
The apology tour seems to have been triggered by recent upheavals in the family’s dynamics — including the sale of the family’s shared property in Flagstaff, Arizona, and the long‑standing emotional fallout among his former wives and children. After reflection, Kody told his current wife Robyn Brown he felt a need to “set them free” from lingering bitterness.
He admitted that saying he “never loved” his exes was “really crappy,” and that he now deeply regrets having said it — especially because it impacted the mothers of many of his children.
Janelle’s Response & Strained History
Janelle, who split from Kody in 2023 after nearly three decades of marriage, admitted on the show that by the end she didn’t recognize the man she married. She reflected that the bitterness and growing estrangement had changed him so much she felt disconnected from the relationship.
During their conversation, she expressed that much of what she mourns is not just the loss of a spouse, but the loss of the family they once envisioned together.
Why This Matters
- Personal & emotional reckoning: Kody’s admission — especially labeling himself a “bastard” — indicates deep self-reflection. It shows recognition of the emotional toll his anger, bitterness, and harsh words had on those close to him.
- Attempt at healing: The apology tour suggests a desire to reconcile or at least offer closure. For Janelle and the other former wives, it might be a needed step toward emotional repair — though it doesn’t erase years of hurt.
- Public accountability (and skepticism): Given the history of conflicts in the family — property disputes, accusations from children, estrangement — many viewers and even some insiders may view this apology as long overdue or question its sincerity.
- Impact on public perception: As public figures, how Kody’s apology is received may shape ongoing narratives about accountability, redemption, and consequences in polygamous relationships — especially those that play out in reality TV settings.
