You probably remember the early days of Sister Wives. It was all about big hair, modest clothing, and a very specific type of fundamentalist Mormon lifestyle. In the middle of all that was Leon Brown, then known to the world as Meri’s only child. People spent years watching them grow up on screen, but if you haven’t kept up lately, you’d barely recognize the life they lead now.
Honestly, the term mary brown daughter is a bit of a relic. It’s what people still type into Google because that’s how they remember the family dynamic from a decade ago. But Leon came out as transgender and queer back in 2022, and since then, the "daughter" label has been retired in favor of their true self. It’s been a wild ride for the fans, but even wilder for the family.
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The Shift From Reality TV to Real Privacy
Leon basically grew up in front of a camera. That’s a lot for any kid, let alone one grappling with their identity in a restrictive religious environment. These days? They want almost nothing to do with the spotlight. While Meri is still a fixture on TLC and very active on Instagram, Leon has pulled back significantly.
They live in Denver now with their partner, Audrey Kriss. They’ve been together for years—since before the big transition announcement—and they reportedly had a private wedding in late 2023. You won't find the wedding photos in a glossy magazine spread or a TLC special. They’ve made it clear: if you can’t use the right name and pronouns, you don't get a seat at their table.
Meri has been pretty vocal about supporting this boundary. She’s caught a lot of heat for it, too. If you look at her comment sections, it’s a mess of "polarizing" opinions, to use her own words. But she’s stuck by Leon. It’s interesting because their relationship wasn't always this solid. Remember the catfishing scandal? Leon was the one who saw it coming and tried to warn Meri. For a long time, there was a lot of resentment there. It seems like moving away and living an authentic life has actually helped them heal that bond.
Where Does Kody Fit Into This?
Kody Brown’s relationship with his 18 children is... complicated. That’s putting it lightly. While he’s busy navigating the collapse of his plural marriages, his relationship with Leon seems to have drifted into a quiet void. Unlike Meri, Kody hasn't been the "number one cheerleader" for Leon’s transition.
Reports from other siblings, like Gwendlyn and Mykelti, suggest that Leon has intentionally distanced themselves from the family "patriarch" to feel safer. It’s a common story in families leaving high-control religions. Sometimes you have to cut the cord to keep your peace.
The "Overcompensation" Phase
Looking back at old episodes, it’s almost startling to see how Leon used to be. They were the only child who was dead-set on living the lifestyle. They wanted the polygamist marriage, the dozen kids, the whole nine yards.
Psychologists often talk about "overcompensation" in queer kids raised in conservative environments. You lean so hard into the rules because you’re terrified of what happens if you break them. Leon wasn't just following the rules; they were the enforcer. Seeing them now—unapologetically trans, living a quiet life in Colorado, obsessed with their "granddogs"—it’s a total 180.
What’s Leon Doing Now?
Leon isn't just sitting around. They pursued a Master’s in Social Work with a focus on Social Justice. It makes sense, right? After growing up in a system that felt restrictive, they want to help other people navigate their own identities.
- Location: Denver, Colorado.
- Partner: Audrey Kriss (they’ve been together since 2017).
- Vibe: Very low-key, very outdoorsy, very much "not a reality star."
They’ve also leaned heavily into music as a form of healing. Leon has mentioned artists like Joy Oladokun and Brandi Carlile as lifelines during their "darkest days." It’s a reminder that even when you have a famous family, the internal work is something you have to do alone.
Common Misconceptions
People often think Leon is still part of the "Brown Family" machine. They aren't. While they show up for big events—like Gwendlyn’s wedding or to help Meri move—they aren't filming for Sister Wives anymore. They aren't looking for "clout."
Another big one: people assume Meri and Leon are estranged because Meri doesn't post about them every day. It’s actually the opposite. Meri doesn't post because she respects Leon’s privacy. She’s learned that the internet can be a cruel place for trans people, and she’s shielding her kid from that noise.
If you’re looking to stay updated on what’s happening with the former mary brown daughter, the best thing to do is follow Meri’s lead: respect the boundaries. If you want to support the journey Leon and others like them are on, you can look into organizations like the Trevor Project or local LGBTQ+ centers in Colorado that focus on transition support.
The biggest takeaway here is that people change. The "perfect polygamist daughter" the world saw on TV was a version of a person who didn't exist yet. The person who exists now is much happier, much quieter, and much more themselves.
To support the community Leon is a part of, consider donating to or volunteering with The Trevor Project or GLAAD. These organizations provide vital resources for LGBTQ+ youth navigating the same "restrictive contexts" Leon once did. You can also follow local advocacy groups in Denver to see how they support trans rights on a grassroots level.