Janelle Brown: Smarter Than Your Average Brown (Maybe)

[LilyD]

If  Janelle's postings of the past 12 months are any indication of the future contents of SW, it is going to be a show that is beyond boring!

I mean.... a post on buying black berries? Really? Yes they are amazing, but is this the most exiting part of your life at the moment? The same goes on all her cooking attempts and fairly basic dishes. (Soaking beans now comes to mind!) 

Do we need more proof that there really isn't anything exciting about this bunch anymore?

[DanaMB]

They might be restricted on what they can post due to the show.

[Elizzikra]

1 hour ago, LilyD said:

If  Janelle's postings of the past 12 months are any indication of the future contents of SW, it is going to be a show that is beyond boring!

I mean.... a post on buying black berries? Really? Yes they are amazing, but is this the most exiting part of your life at the moment? The same goes on all her cooking attempts and fairly basic dishes. (Soaking beans now comes to mind!) 

Do we need more proof that there really isn't anything exciting about this bunch anymore?

I mean, I’m not a famous reality tv show star but I post photos of food, berries, flowers, etc. all the time…

[ginger90]

[ginger90]

I saw this on Facebook. 😁

[xwordfanatik]

"Gonna choose the kids, gonna choose the dogs."  😜

[LilyD]

17 hours ago, Elizzikra said:

I mean, I’m not a famous reality tv show star but I post photos of food, berries, flowers, etc. all the time…

This! She is doing stuff that ordinary people do, people who do not have a reality show as they lead a perfectly normal life. (Which is great btw!) People watch because there is something very different from the lives they lead. 

I really don't think she is trying to hold anything back for the show. They never have and have constantly spilled all the beans on SM themselves. I really think that Janelle fills most of her days with relaxing, hanging out, cooking or traveling to see her kids. (And shilling Plexus, which like LIV water, probably cannot be discussed on the show)

[Art Of Noiz]

I've been thinking about the OGs and the ways they  withered on the vine. My speculations.

Meri could only have one child, but her home was a quiet haven for Kodawg, away from 11 rowdy kids. 

Janelle's home was undoubtedly  noisy with her 4 sons and Paedon. Imo, Janelle got more "Dad" time because Kodawg bonded more easily with boys. Janelle probably got more "Partner" time, discussing business, money, etc, even after she chose not to have more kids after Savannah. He loved her for her cipherin skills.

Christine's house always had kids, but also had food! She taught her girls to show adoration for  him as she did. She gave great parties. When she had Truely, she emphatically said no more.

Enter TLC and Robyn the SheRa with a magical womb. Young enough to pop out not only her and Kodawg's spirit babies, but to grow spirit babies for Meri.

 

Imo, Meri would have rarely seen K after Leon left the home. She might have left. She stated in S1 that she stayed so Leon would not be separated from the family.

Christine demanded accountability from K, so.. imo- he tore the tops off her crescent rolls, ran screaming from her house, curls flying behind him.

Imo, Janelle began to lose him last of the 3. As her boys flew free, so did her role as the $ person in the family. She wasn't the primary steady source of income, which would have bumped her status. Down. 

Robyn's home became the haven. In whatever state that happens to be.

Edited August 22, 2023 by Art Of Noiz
Pronoun

[ginger90]

3 hours ago, Art Of Noiz said:

She stated in S1 that she stayed so Leon would not be separated from her family.

What is this referring to?

[Scarlett45]

3 hours ago, Art Of Noiz said:

I've been thinking about the OGs and the ways they  withered on the vine. My speculations.

Meri could only have one child, but her home was a quiet haven for Kodawg, away from 11 rowdy kids. 

Janelle's home was undoubtedly  noisy with her 4 sons and Paedon. Imo, Janelle got more "Dad" time because Kodawg bonded more easily with boys. Janelle probably got more "Partner" time, discussing business, money, etc, even after she chose not to have more kids after Savannah. He loved her for her cipherin skills.

Christine's house always had kids, but also had food! She taught her girls to show adoration for  him as she did. She gave great parties. When she had Truely, she emphatically said no more.

Enter TLC and Robyn the SheRa with a magical womb. Young enough to pop out not only her and Kodawg's spirit babies, but to grow spirit babies for Meri.

 

Imo, Meri would have rarely seen K after Leon left the home. She might have left. She stated in S1 that she stayed so Leon would not be separated from her family.

Christine demanded accountability from K, so.. imo- he tore the tops off her crescent rolls, ran screaming from her house, curls flying behind him.

Imo, Janelle began to lose him last of the 3. As her boys flew free, so did her role as the $ person in the family. She wasn't the primary steady source of income, which would have bumped her status. Down. 

Robyn's home became the haven. In whatever state that happens to be.

I can agree with this. I can see that for Kody being with Janelle was “easy”. I think they did have a physical attraction for each other, but I’ve always thought Janelle was aromantic and thus didn’t demand as much from Kody emotionally compared to Meri or Christine. I think it Kody had been more fair, Janelle would still be there (even if he loved Robyn more). But I think Kody served his purpose for Janelle, she got the kids she wanted, she got a sister wife to be their primary caregiver while they were small, and while she may still have sexual needs they likely aren’t the same needs she had in her 20s and 30s. She can find someone else to meet those. So she was ready to bounce when it suited her. I think it was easier for her to leave than it was for either Christine or Meri. I think Kody both broke of their hearts, with Janelle it’s more of “well it was a good run, I’m sick of you, you’re aggravating me.”

39 minutes ago, ginger90 said:

What is this referring to?

That Meri wanted Leon to be near their siblings, and because she didn’t have any other bio children, if she left Leon would be an outsider. She wanted Leon raised close to them so they would have a bond even though Leon didn’t share a bio mom with anyone else. 

[Art Of Noiz]

19 minutes ago, Scarlett45 said:

I can agree with this. I can see that for Kody being with Janelle was “easy”. I think they did have a physical attraction for each other, but I’ve always thought Janelle was aromantic and thus didn’t demand as much from Kody emotionally compared to Meri or Christine. I think it Kody had been more fair, Janelle would still be there (even if he loved Robyn more). But I think Kody served his purpose for Janelle, she got the kids she wanted, she got a sister wife to be their primary caregiver while they were small, and while she may still have sexual needs they likely aren’t the same needs she had in her 20s and 30s. She can find someone else to meet those. So she was ready to bounce when it suited her. I think it was easier for her to leave than it was for either Christine or Meri. I think Kody both broke of their hearts, with Janelle it’s more of “well it was a good run, I’m sick of you, you’re aggravating me.”

That Meri wanted Leon to be near their siblings, and because she didn’t have any other bio children, if she left Leon would be an outsider. She wanted Leon raised close to them so they would have a bond even though Leon didn’t share a bio mom with anyone else. 

Lol at "you're aggravating me"!

[RazzleberryPie]

I don’t think Janelle is asexual or unromantic, but I do think she comes off as the one who tried hardest to maintain the rules and not be affectionate around other eives. Meri and Robyn both loved to be smug with shit eating grins whenever they could flaunt they had an extra secret with Kody. Or each other. Christine never had the chance bc he ignored her in the daylight. Could still make all those babies with her in the dark though. 

[Tuxcat]

2 hours ago, RazzleberryPie said:

Meri and Robyn both loved to be smug with shit eating grins whenever they could flaunt they had an extra secret with Kody. Or each other. Christine never had the chance bc he ignored her in the daylight. Could still make all those babies with her in the dark though. 

I agree they flaunted their up swings with Kody though I would argue Christine did too. People seem to always forget the Christine/Robyn BFF years.

And I'll add that I think Janelle used her special niche on the totem pole to her advantage. She had Kody's ear and he thought of her as his "intellectual equal." It was Janelle who could paint Christine as a "princess" or Meri as "toxic." While Janelle didn't flaunt it - she for sure capitalized on her unique connection with Kody. Meri and Christine just battled each other for scraps of romantic attention while Janelle would frequently point out "I'm independent. I don't need all that attention. I'm unbothered." She literally said those things season one. And while true -  it was a tactic to secure her spot on the totem pole.

[ginger90]

14 hours ago, Scarlett45 said:

That Meri wanted Leon to be near their siblings, and because she didn’t have any other bio children, if she left Leon would be an outsider. She wanted Leon raised close to them so they would have a bond even though Leon didn’t share a bio mom with anyone else. 

She said this in season 1?

[xwordfanatik]

3 hours ago, ginger90 said:

She said this in season 1?

Taking my response to Meri's thread.

[ginger90]

[laurakaye]

I take it this is another Plexus trip?  Wonder if Christine is going?

Wasn't Janelle in Spain not too long ago?

I continue, despite my love of MLM documentaries and podcasts, to not understand how these people afford to go on so many destination trips just for shilling pink sludge.  I mean, these are BIG trips, not just jaunts to Des Moines or Milwaukee.  It's the same questions I have about Meri making money and taking trips selling LuLaNo.  At some point, the scheme has to get so big that it's like a snake eating its own tail.  And yet, they all seem to be doing just fine - or they are massively in debt because their attendance is expected, on their own dime, while they make us think that their respective pyramid schemes are footing their bills.

[ginger90]

1 hour ago, laurakaye said:

 

I take it this is another Plexus trip? 

 

Yes it is. It’s called an “Emerald Extravaganza 2023”. 

[Natalie68]

2 hours ago, laurakaye said:

I take it this is another Plexus trip?  Wonder if Christine is going?

Wasn't Janelle in Spain not too long ago?

I continue, despite my love of MLM documentaries and podcasts, to not understand how these people afford to go on so many destination trips just for shilling pink sludge.  I mean, these are BIG trips, not just jaunts to Des Moines or Milwaukee.  It's the same questions I have about Meri making money and taking trips selling LuLaNo.  At some point, the scheme has to get so big that it's like a snake eating its own tail.  And yet, they all seem to be doing just fine - or they are massively in debt because their attendance is expected, on their own dime, while they make us think that their respective pyramid schemes are footing their bills.

One way they might be able to afford it is they have cut 2 HUGE dingleberries and their 5 offspring off the payroll

[monagatuna]

Well, this family has never been good at money, always overextending themselves for some fabulous trip or lame excuse for a party, so it wouldn't surprise me if she's overextending herself for these plexus trips as well. I'm sure she's more successful than your average hun at shilling this poison, but I doubt she's making enough to travel well and still have a solid retirement plan.

For some really good info on how MLMs make you pay for your own stuff and then present it as a "gift" they gave you (as well as a deep dive into MLM culture itself, including its roots in white supremacy!) please check out Hey, Hun by Emily Lynn Paulson. I have studied MLMs and cults for years and still found a ton of information I had never known.

[xwordfanatik]

1 hour ago, Natalie68 said:

One way they might be able to afford it is they have cut 2 HUGE dingleberries and their 5 offspring off the payroll

I love this so much!  I had to read it to Mr. X.  😻

[Pickleinthemiddle]

4 hours ago, laurakaye said:

I take it this is another Plexus trip?  Wonder if Christine is going?

Wasn't Janelle in Spain not too long ago?

I continue, despite my love of MLM documentaries and podcasts, to not understand how these people afford to go on so many destination trips just for shilling pink sludge.  I mean, these are BIG trips, not just jaunts to Des Moines or Milwaukee.  It's the same questions I have about Meri making money and taking trips selling LuLaNo.  At some point, the scheme has to get so big that it's like a snake eating its own tail.  And yet, they all seem to be doing just fine - or they are massively in debt because their attendance is expected, on their own dime, while they make us think that their respective pyramid schemes are footing their bills.

Her and her sister went to Portugal with the pink stuff.  That might be what this trip is too.

[suzeecat]

I'm sure that they can write off a lot of their travel expenses as business expense. 

[Natalie68]

What I love the most about the new lives of Meri, Christine and Janelle is they are living a life that could not be attained had they stayed with those pieces of shit known as Kooter and Sobbin.  I don't think that fact is lost on the Butthurt Browns.

[Just Wondering]

Janelle just doesn’t know where to find a polygamous family?

[Joan of Argh]

2 minutes ago, Just Wondering said:

Janelle just doesn’t know where to find a polygamous family?

I know, when she was musing over possibly still wanting to be a part of a polygamous family I wanted to *SMACK!!!!” Her upside the head and scream “Snap out of it!!!!!”

50 yrs old and she’s gonna move in with a new group of crackpots and when that falls apart she’ll be 60+ and have no home of her own or anything to show for it.

I think we can safely say that Janelle isn’t smarter then your average Brown.

[ChristmasJones]

The way to make money in the MLMs is to have a huge downline - which is easier for someone "famous" like Janelle or Christine. Not so much when you are just selling product.  A good podcast to hear interviews with people who were in MLMs, where they share the nitty gritty details, is From Huns to Humans. They have some interviews with people who were selling Plexus

[Just Wondering]

3 hours ago, Joan of Argh said:

I know, when she was musing over possibly still wanting to be a part of a polygamous family I wanted to *SMACK!!!!” Her upside the head and scream “Snap out of it!!!!!”

50 yrs old and she’s gonna move in with a new group of crackpots and when that falls apart she’ll be 60+ and have no home of her own or anything to show for it.

I think we can safely say that Janelle isn’t smarter then your average Brown.

Such good points.
I feel like this hAs to be a lie on Janelle’s part. I mean, we all know she could go into a family tomorrow. Her excuse sort of reminds me of when Robyn was lying about all that new wife stuff.  Shady.

[mythoughtis]

1 hour ago, Just Wondering said:

Such good points.
I feel like this hAs to be a lie on Janelle’s part. I mean, we all know she could go into a family tomorrow. Her excuse sort of reminds me of when Robyn was lying about all that new wife stuff.  Shady.

I don’t think she wants to go to a new family at this time.    She commented in another interview that she might marry ten years from now.  Out of the four wives, she ( and Robyn according to Robyn) still feel part of the AUB church.  So in order to marry in  the church, it’s marry into polygamy. She would have to renounce that AUB membership to marry monogamously. 

It’s a thought process similar to marrying in the Catholic Church, even though the particulars are different. For Catholics to marry  in the church, it used to be you marry another Catholic and you don’t marry a divorced person.  I had a friend who divorced his wife and she still considered herself married to him based on her religious beliefs.  
 

I think Janelle would have been gone a few years ago except for her religious beliefs. 

Edited September 11, 2023 by mythoughtis

[BnJJ]

The top earners in MLM are rewarded with these trips, which then cause others to join up and try to shill the crap as they are sold the pipe dream that they, too, could be a top earner and get rewarded with these trips.  These trips are equivalent to the pink Mary Kay car.

[Natalie68]

When Kody left Janelle's house after the fight, when he said 'Good Bye', the way he said it reminded me of another show.  It took me a minute but I realized what it was.  It was very reminiscent of Fez saying 'Good Day, I said Good Day' on That 70's Show.

[xwordfanatik]

Kootie was hamming it up for the camera there, with his grandiose gestures.

What a horse's ass.  Too bad Janelle didn't tell him to go fuck himself when he stole her money to buy Sobbyn's ugly house (but she was SO against buying, yeah, right!)

[BAForever]

On 9/11/2023 at 9:16 AM, Joan of Argh said:

 

I think we can safely say that Janelle isn’t smarter then your average Brown.

Absolutely @Joan of Argh- but I applaud her for finally telling Kody the truth. Christine was calm and rational. Janelle is all emotion and fire, and I'm loving it. 

[General Days]

On 9/11/2023 at 10:16 AM, Joan of Argh said:

I think we can safely say that Janelle isn’t smarter then your average Brown.

 

I keep wanting to suggest "Janelle: Broker than Your Average Brown," but it feels mean and I like Janelle.

I have enormous sympathy for all of the OG3. I just want them to be free, thrive, and have a full life with their kids and their friends (and hopefully a job that exploits the gullible a little less). 

 

2 hours ago, BAForever said:

Absolutely @Joan of Argh- but I applaud her for finally telling Kody the truth. Christine was calm and rational. Janelle is all emotion and fire, and I'm loving it. 

 

I find it satisfying to see Janelle so fiery, because she does tend to keep everything in and even disassociate from stuff that might otherwise upset her. Seeing Christine or Meri emotional doesn't pack the same sort of punch, just because they've let us in on their emotions more over the years (and Meri's emotions are often too much, and Christine's sometimes feel a bit put on).

I do wish Janelle had laid out an argument before she talked to Kody (had the big fight), though. I felt bad for her, because I think she was really out of her comfort zone having that sort of scene with him, and his mouth is a little like a machine gun. He just rat-a-tat-tats her to distract her, then interrupts her, to prevent her from making a point that he (or the audience) might have to consider.

Edited September 19, 2023 by General Days
awkward wording

[MamaGee]

It just occurred to me. If Janelle was originally married to Meri's brother and she was "just LDS", why didn't he practice polygamy like his sister, especially since we know Meri was raised in it?

[Scarlett45]

12 minutes ago, MamaGee said:

It just occurred to me. If Janelle was originally married to Meri's brother and she was "just LDS", why didn't he practice polygamy like his sister, especially since we know Meri was raised in it?

He might not have been interested or felt that religious conviction. I’m not sure on the stats but I don’t think most of Meri’s siblings are in plural marriages. It seems to be mix of plural, monogamous and single people. 

[Gam2]

I just saw the Christmas Day with Kody, Robyn and the kids. That house was a hoarder’s nightmare. I’ve never seen so much junk in one huge room. I couldn’t stand to be in that house.

[Sandy W]

42 minutes ago, Gam2 said:

I just saw the Christmas Day with Kody, Robyn and the kids. That house was a hoarder’s nightmare. I’ve never seen so much junk in one huge room. I couldn’t stand to be in that house.

To add Christmas decor to that mess is like putting lipstick on a pig.

[Elizzikra]

1 hour ago, Gam2 said:

I just saw the Christmas Day with Kody, Robyn and the kids. That house was a hoarder’s nightmare. I’ve never seen so much junk in one huge room. I couldn’t stand to be in that house.

All the people on Hoarders say "hold my beer... but don't throw it away."

[LilyD]

On 9/11/2023 at 9:46 PM, mythoughtis said:

don’t think she wants to go to a new family at this time.    She commented in another interview that she might marry ten years from now.  Out of the four wives, she ( and Robyn according to Robyn) still feel part of the AUB church.  So in order to marry in  the church, it’s marry into polygamy. She would have to renounce that AUB membership to marry monogamously. 

Can she simply “remarry” within the AUB? I thought those marriages were for life, unless you are formally unsealed from your husband? And doesn’t that require permission or a blessing from their AUB leaders? 
I guess going through such trouble only matters if you wish to remarry within the AUB. Otherwise she could just do a “Christine-Divorce” and declare herself single.
 

[Orcinus orca]

The thing is, I don't think the are formal members of any church.  The AUB divorced themselves (pun intended) from the Brown Clowns when they hit the airwaves.  Kootie did some sort of (apparently very boring) preachings from home but that was eons ago. No mention of religion has been made in years except to make up crap to support the Ordained Word of His Lordship in Curls.

I saw a clip of him yammering at the kids with some sort of book in hand and the crowd looked like they were completely tuned out.

[Sandy W]

39 minutes ago, Orcinus orca said:

 

I saw a clip of him yammering at the kids with some sort of book in hand and the crowd looked like they were completely tuned out.

I recall that scene.  Looked like they draped fabric over cardboard boxes to give the apperance of a podium. 

If this was routine for them, surely they could have rustled up some sort of lectern for him to impart his words of wisdom.

[mythoughtis]

2 hours ago, Orcinus orca said:

The thing is, I don't think the are formal members of any church.  The AUB divorced themselves (pun intended) from the Brown Clowns when they hit the airwaves.

Janelle still refers to it as their religion.  She mentioned in last week’s episode that a ‘divorce’ in their religion was called a release and was not a quick process.  
 

In last December’s one on one show, she also commented that under the terms of their religion, she would have to agree to work on their marriage if  Kody asked her to.  She was hoping he wouldn’t ask.  

I think she wants to follow the church process 

Edited September 26, 2023 by mythoughtis

[goofygirl]

31 minutes ago, mythoughtis said:

Janelle still refers to it as their religion.  She mentioned in last week’s episode that a ‘divorce’ in their religion was called a release and was not a quick process.  
 

In last December’s one on one show, she also commented that under the terms of their religion, she would have to agree to work on their marriage if  Kody asked her to.  She was hoping he wouldn’t ask.  

 

 

I think she wants to follow the church process 

That church sure hasn't helped her AT ALL.  I'd be thinking about changing my religion.

[Orcinus orca]

2 hours ago, mythoughtis said:

Janelle still refers to it as their religion.

Religion vs church.  Lots of people call themselves christians but do not attend a church or follow a certain denomination.  Only Janelle knows what rules she's referring to; certainly not the Church of Curly Locks since he changes rules depending on his whims.

Edited September 26, 2023 by Orcinus orca
spelling

[altopower]

I would bet that TLC had them tone talk of religion down to nothing. Janelle seems to be serious about her beliefs, and I think Robyn is, too, kinda sorta. Not sure about the other OG wives and Kody is in a class all by himself.

Janelle was a convert to polygamy, remember, and converts often know the rules and procedures of their new faith better than those who grow up in it.

[Elizzikra]

Quote

Religion vs church.  Lots of people call themselves christians but do not attend a church or follow a certain denomintion.  Only Janelle knows what rules she's referring to; certainly not the Church of Curly Locks since he changes rules depending on his whims.

Does Janelle say "faith" or "religion?" I can't remember but to me, she could have great faith and not be a part of any organized religion.

[TurtlePower]

I. Love. Janelle’s. Hair.

It’s perfect platinum blonde bombshell and it appears healthy. She was already very pretty and as she becomes healthier, she also seems to become more confident. Janelle has the best hair (followed by Christine). 

[suomi]

16 hours ago, altopower said:

Janelle was a convert to polygamy, remember, and converts often know the rules and procedures of their new faith better than those who grow up in it.

Boy howdy, and dogmatic as well. I saw lots of it while living in Utah for 35 years. (Convert co-workers, convert neighbors and the convert fambly my daughter married into).

[goofygirl]

But does anybody believe that Janelle would be willing to enter ANOTHER polyg family?

After her experience with Douchie?

I mean, LORT!  I'd be running the other way (with my hair on fire!)