Lisa Barlow, an original cast member of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, told Decider she missed the Season 6 premiere camping trip because she was attending two film premieres at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas — not because she left the show or was avoiding fellow cast members.
Barlow said she attended the premieres for Ben Affleck’s The Accountant 2 and Blake Lively’s Another Simple Favor, and framed the appearances as work obligations. "I was working, I’ve always been someone that works since Season 1," she told Decider. "For me, this felt important for me to get back to feeling like me. These are the things that make me, me. I’m a true [Sagittarius]. I like to be busy. I define myself by my accomplishments. So, it felt good to be doing something like two premieres in Austin instead of being in an RV. I didn’t miss out."
Barlow said she did not quit the series and confirmed she remains part of the RHOSLC cast. Her absence from the opening episode, which showed Angie Katsanevas hosting a mini cast trip at a Utah campground, drew speculation from co-stars and viewers. Some suggested Barlow was avoiding a confrontation with Bronwyn Newport after an explosive Season 5 reunion; others cited possible legal issues related to Barlow’s business or a contract dispute. Barlow dismissed those claims.
Producers included scenes in the premiere in which castmates lamented her absence and placed calls to check on her. Barlow said she was surprised to find herself the subject of conversation while being left out of the episode. "I was kind of surprised that I wasn’t in anything and that I was the topic of conversation," she said. "I was like, ‘This is ridiculous.'"
The Salt Lake City installment of the Real Housewives franchise has frequently produced off-screen disputes that spill into filming and edit decisions. Barlow’s Season 5 reunion confrontation with Newport attracted attention and helped fuel speculation about why she did not join the campsite sequence. Barlow’s comments to Decider were the first detailed public account she has given about her absence from the Season 6 premiere.
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City airs on Bravo on Tuesday nights. Viewers with a cable subscription can stream new episodes live on BravoTV.com using a valid login. The first five seasons of the series are available on Peacock, where new episodes also appear the Wednesday morning after broadcast. Platforms that carry Bravo live — including Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV — offer another option for viewers who do not subscribe to cable.
Barlow’s remarks underscore that at least part of her Reason for missing the premiere was professional and tied to festival appearances. She reiterated that she remains on the show and emphasized her continued engagement in outside projects, noting that being busy with work is central to how she defines herself.