The Tragic & Untold Story Of Gwen’s Dad On RHOSLC: Who Was Anthony Jordon Rooks?

The emotional and complex storyline surrounding Gwen’s biological father, a central plot point for Bronwyn Newport on *The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City* (RHOSLC), has captivated viewers and brought a deeply personal layer to the show. As of December 15, 2025, the most current information reveals a tragic biography, an unexpected connection to a fellow Housewife, and a recent, disappointing update on the potential relationship between Gwen and her paternal family. The man at the center of this story is Anthony Jordon "AJ" Rooks, a former acquaintance of Bronwyn from their time in Utah. His story is one of a life cut short, leaving behind a daughter he never knew and a family who were, for a long time, unaware of her existence. The drama surrounding his family's belated discovery of Gwen has been a key focus of *RHOSLC* Season 5.

Anthony Jordon "AJ" Rooks: A Brief Biography

The identity of Gwen’s father was a topic of speculation for a long time, but details eventually emerged, revealing a life that ended tragically young.

• Full Name: Anthony Jordon Rooks (often went by "AJ")
• Date of Birth: July 2, 1983
• Date of Death: March 19, 2011
• Age at Death: 27
• Location: Salt Lake City, Utah (based on obituary)
• Connection to Bronwyn Newport: Bronwyn met Anthony while they were both students at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Utah.
• Relationship Status: He was not involved in Gwen's life after Bronwyn became pregnant.
• Surviving Daughter: He is survived by his daughter, Gwen Newport.
• Cause of Death: While the exact cause is not publicly detailed on the show, his obituary notes he "left us suddenly." Bronwyn revealed she found out about his passing on Facebook when Gwen was only two years old.

The Unexpected Lisa Barlow Connection and Family Drama

The storyline involving Gwen and her father's side of the family became a major *RHOSLC* plot twist thanks to an unexpected revelation from fellow Housewife, Lisa Barlow. This drama unfolded during Season 5, injecting fresh controversy into Bronwyn’s personal life. The issue began when Bronwyn shared a picture of Gwen’s father with Lisa Barlow during a cast trip. To Bronwyn’s shock, Lisa recognized him and his family. Lisa revealed that her husband, John Barlow, knew the family, and that she knew Gwen’s paternal grandparents. This moment provided a potential bridge for Gwen to connect with her biological family, a journey that became a central focus of the season. The situation was further complicated by the family's history. Bronwyn revealed that Anthony Rooks’ family had been told she had a miscarriage, which is why they were unaware of Gwen’s existence for so long. This emotional revelation highlighted the painful reality of the situation: a young woman keeping a secret, a family mourning a son, and a daughter growing up without knowing a whole side of her heritage.

Current Update: The Relationship That "Never Came to Fruition"

Viewers watched as Bronwyn and Gwen grappled with the decision of whether to pursue a relationship with the paternal grandparents, especially as Gwen was turning 18 and becoming an adult. The footage of Gwen contemplating this connection was deeply emotional and relatable. However, in a recent and significant update on the *RHOSLC Aftershow*, Bronwyn confirmed the disappointing news that the relationship ultimately "never came to fruition." Despite the initial attempts by Lisa Barlow to facilitate an introduction, and the grandparents' expressed desire to have contact, the connection did not materialize. Bronwyn stated that she had not heard from them directly. This update is critical for fans following the story, as it provides a definitive, albeit sad, conclusion to the Season 5 storyline. It means that while the door was opened, the complicated history and circumstances prevented a lasting bond from forming.

The Latest Controversy: Bronwyn vs. Lisa Barlow

The already sensitive topic exploded into full-blown Housewife drama when Bronwyn and Lisa Barlow clashed over the details of the family's story. This is the most current and *fresh* development in the narrative. The conflict stemmed from Lisa's claims about the family's perspective, which Bronwyn vehemently refuted. Bronwyn took the extraordinary step of leaking an alleged direct message (DM) from a sibling of Anthony Rooks to publicly challenge Lisa’s narrative. This move demonstrated the depth of the tension and Bronwyn's commitment to protecting her daughter's story and refuting what she perceived as misrepresentations on the show. Lisa, in turn, clapped back, escalating the feud. This messy, public dispute highlights the ongoing difficulty of navigating such a personal and painful situation on a reality television platform. It also provides the necessary tension and conflict that fuels a *Real Housewives* season, proving that even the most emotional storylines can quickly turn into a battle between cast members.

Topical Authority & Key Entities

The narrative of Gwen's dad, Anthony Jordon Rooks, is a powerful example of a non-Housewife entity driving a core storyline. The key entities and LSI keywords involved in this topical cluster include:

• Bronwyn Newport: Gwen's mother and the central figure in the story.
• Gwen Newport: The daughter, whose desire for connection is the emotional core.
• Lisa Barlow: The unexpected link between Bronwyn and the Rooks family.
• Anthony Jordon Rooks (AJ Rooks): Gwen's biological father.
• Paternal Grandparents: The family Gwen nearly connected with.
• Todd: Bronwyn's husband, who has been a supportive stepfather.
• BYU (Brigham Young University): Where Bronwyn and Anthony met.
• RHOSLC Season 5: The season where the storyline unfolded.
• Miscarriage: The false story told to the Rooks family.

This storyline, rooted in a tragic loss and complicated by reality TV drama, remains one of the most compelling and sensitive narratives in the history of *The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City*.