Sister Wives fans, get ready—because the tea about the upcoming Season 20 is hotter than anyone could have predicted. What looks like Janelle Brown surrounding herself with fresh faces, supportive voices, and a brand-new circle of friends may not be exactly what it seems. In fact, the truth about Janelle’s so-called “new friend” is leaving many fans questioning how authentic the storyline will be when the new season hits screens.

In the trailer for Season 20, viewers spotted Janelle hanging out with a small group of women, apparently leaning on them for support, advice, and companionship as she continues navigating life after her separation from Kody Brown. At first glance, these women appeared to be completely new characters, never before introduced on the show. Naturally, questions began to swirl: Where did Janelle meet these women? Are they lifelong friends? Business associates? Or perhaps connected through her health and wellness work with Plexus?

For months, theories circulated. Many fans believed the women could be linked to Plexus, since Janelle has been active with the company. But now the real answer has come to light—and it’s not at all what viewers expected.

The “new friend” who spends time with Janelle on camera is not just some supportive girlfriend from New Orleans or a Plexus colleague. No, this mystery woman is actually Alice Goldstein—a professional manager. And not just any manager. She is the manager for Janelle, for Kody, for Robyn, and reportedly for Christine as well. In other words, the woman viewers are about to see featured in upcoming episodes isn’t simply part of Janelle’s personal support circle—she is directly connected to the entire Brown family brand.

Alice herself has confirmed it. Recently, she took to social media, posting, “Guess who’s popping up on your TV screens this season? Yep, this girl right here. I said yes to being on Sister Wives for a couple of episodes with my beautiful, strong girlfriends.” That “girlfriend” she’s referring to is none other than her client, Janelle.

The revelation is shocking fans, many of whom now wonder how “real” the interactions on the show are. The big question being asked: If Janelle’s new friend is actually her and Kody’s shared manager, how genuine are the heart-to-heart conversations we’re about to witness?

It doesn’t stop there. Alice has a lengthy history with the Browns and the Sister Wives franchise. Back in 2018, she gave an interview to Forbes magazine, where she discussed her work with Puddle Monkey and Figure 8 Films, the very production companies behind Sister Wives. She openly acknowledged working with the Brown family years ago. On top of that, Alice has actively promoted Kody Brown’s involvement in other projects, including Special Forces, across her social media platforms.

For fans who were ready to embrace the new season as a raw, authentic continuation of the Browns’ unraveling relationships, this news is causing disappointment. Many feel that by including Alice under the guise of a “friend,” production is blurring the line between reality and casting convenience. Some have even argued that if the producers wanted someone new to appear on camera with Janelle, they could have at least brought in an outsider—someone who wasn’t already managing the family behind the scenes.

This revelation leaves viewers asking tough questions:

• How authentic are Janelle’s friendships if they’re tied to her ex-husband’s business dealings?

• Was this meant to be a secret, or did producers believe fans wouldn’t dig deep enough to notice the overlap?

• What role will Alice play in shaping the conversations and narratives on-screen, knowing she has vested interests in the Browns’ image?

The timing of this discovery couldn’t be more dramatic, as TLC has officially announced that Season 20 of Sister Wives will premiere on Sunday, September 28th, at 9:00 p.m. CST. With the countdown already underway, fans are now bracing themselves to watch episodes that may feel far more “produced” than expected.

Some loyal fans are calling this move “disappointing” and even “manufactured drama.” Instead of letting Janelle showcase real growth and authentic new friendships in her post-Kody chapter, viewers may feel robbed of genuine storytelling. Others, however, argue that the presence of Alice adds an interesting layer of behind-the-scenes reality—pulling back the curtain on just how interconnected the Browns’ professional lives are with the show’s production.

But the bottom line remains: this isn’t just Janelle’s manager. This is Kody’s manager too. That fact alone guarantees fireworks as audiences tune in to see how these “friendship” dynamics unfold on-screen.

So while the official trailer may tease sisterly bonding, fresh starts, and a renewed sense of independence for Janelle, the truth lurking beneath the surface suggests something far more complicated. The blurred line between personal and professional relationships could shift how fans view every scene that unfolds this season.

Will viewers accept Alice as just another cast member in Janelle’s journey, or will they see her inclusion as evidence that production is carefully curating narratives instead of letting reality unfold organically? That’s the real suspense building ahead of the September premiere.

One thing is certain: the Brown family’s saga continues to surprise—and not always in the ways fans expect. Season 20 is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about seasons yet, not just for the drama on-screen, but for the secrets exposed off-screen.

Mark your calendars and prepare for the shockwaves. The Browns are back, but this time, the storylines might not be quite as “real” as they seem.