Leon Brown and Audrey Kriss: What Most People Get Wrong

Leon Brown and Audrey Kriss: What Most People Get Wrong

If you’ve kept up with the sprawling, often chaotic world of Sister Wives, you probably remember the 2017 episode where Leon Brown (then going by Mariah) came out to their family. It was a massive moment for reality TV. But since the cameras stopped following every second of their life, a lot has changed. Like, a lot.

Honestly, the internet is full of outdated info about Leon Brown and Audrey Kriss. People are still searching for wedding dates that already happened and names that aren't used anymore. If you're looking for the "traditional" reality star update where everything is curated for a brand, you're looking in the wrong place. These two have basically done the opposite of the typical TLC trajectory.

They moved away. They transitioned. They got married in secret.

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The Wedding That Wasn't on TV

For years, fans waited for a televised wedding special. We saw the engagement in 2019 at the Women’s March in D.C. It was sweet, emotional, and very public. But the actual wedding? That was a total 180.

Leon Brown and Audrey Kriss officially tied the knot on October 29, 2022. They didn't have a massive reception at a Utah lodge or a film crew in tow. Instead, they opted for a courthouse wedding in Colorado Springs. No big white dress, no polygamous family drama in the front row—just the two of them.

Reports from outlets like In Touch eventually confirmed the marriage certificate, but the couple kept it under wraps for nearly a year. It’s kinda refreshing. In an era where every influencer sells their wedding photos to the highest bidder, they just... lived their lives.

Identity, Transition, and the Brown Family

In June 2022, Leon shared a post that changed the conversation forever. They came out as transgender and non-binary, letting the world know their name is Leon (or Leo) and their pronouns are they/them.

"I’m finally ready to share my favorite self with the world," Leon wrote. "And that self is incredibly genderqueer, trans, and unapologetic."

Audrey Kriss had actually shared their own transition journey earlier, documenting parts of it on social media with a level of transparency that helped a lot of people in the community. It’s pretty clear they’ve been each other’s biggest support systems. Seeing them grow from college students at Westminster College to the people they are today has been a journey of its own.

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But let's be real—this transition hasn't been without friction in the family.

While Meri Brown has been vocal about her support, posting "You are my sunshine" on social media and frequently visiting Leon and Audrey, the relationship with Kody Brown is a different story. Sources close to the family have hinted at a significant estrangement. In recent seasons of the show, there's been tension regarding how different family members handle Leon’s identity. It’s a messy, real-world situation that a lot of LGBTQ+ folks from conservative backgrounds know all too well.

Where Are They Now?

As of 2026, the couple is mostly living a quiet life in Colorado. They aren't chasing the spotlight.

Audrey has been dealing with some health hurdles lately, including a ruptured Achilles tendon that required a long recovery. If you follow them on social media, you’ll see less "reality star" content and more "regular person" content—dogs, local coffee shops, and occasional updates on their creative projects.

Leon has stayed busy with activism and writing, though they’ve pulled back significantly from the Sister Wives "fandom." Can you blame them? Growing up in a household where your every move is debated by millions of people probably makes a quiet life in the mountains sound like heaven.

Why It Still Matters

The story of Leon Brown and Audrey Kriss is more than just a footnote in a reality show about polygamy. It’s a case study in how to reclaim your narrative after the public thinks they "own" your story.

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Most people get it wrong because they expect them to still be the kids they saw on Season 1. They aren't. They’ve done the hard work of deconstructing a very restrictive upbringing to find out who they actually are.


How to Stay Updated Respectfully

If you want to keep up with what they’re doing without being "that" fan, here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Use the right names: It’s Leon and Audrey. Using old names (deadnaming) is a quick way to get blocked and, frankly, it’s just disrespectful.
  • Respect the boundaries: They don’t owe anyone a "tell-all" book or a return to the show. If they share a photo, enjoy it, but don't expect a 10-paragraph caption about Kody.
  • Support their work: Both Leon and Audrey often highlight queer-owned businesses and social justice causes. Following those leads is a great way to engage with what they actually care about today.

By focusing on their current reality rather than their televised past, you get a much clearer picture of two people who are finally, genuinely, happy.