Whitney Rose on RHOSLC Season 5 Confidence: ‘I’m Not Backing Down’

Clocking in! Whitney Rose isn’t new, but after five seasons of being a housewife, she has a new attitude.

The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star has always been involved in drama. Now, she’s ready to dominate it. After feeling like a pushover for far too long, Whitney details how she found her voice.

Whitney Rose in her villain era

Photo Credit: Fred Hayes/Bravo

In an interview with PEOPLE, Whitney reflected on her experience on the show.

“It was a lot of years of getting burned and screwed over by people,” she stated. “It’s really hard for me to put myself first because I always hate confrontation. I hate making people upset. Despite however I’m viewed on the show, I do not like making people upset. I can hold my own. I can stand up for myself and I advocate for a lot of people a lot of the time, but I never advocate for myself.”

Given the beauty and jewelry line founder’s past interactions, she’s perceived as docile. Especially when you hold her up against such dominating castmates. Naturally, Whitney’s switch-up has been a surprise to fans who are used to seeing her being steamrolled.

“When people see that change, they don’t know what do,” Whitney stated. “Then I do it with confidence now. I’m not backing down because for the first time in my life, I can say I love who I am and I’m not ever going to take that away from myself.”

She went on to say, “I don’t view myself as the villain this season,” but doesn’t really care if she’s perceived as one either.

“I guess if we’re going to lean into the villain thing, I think it’s only because we want to stand out. [I] don’t want to be like everyone else. If that makes me a villain, then I guess I’m a villain,” Whitney concluded.

The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.

TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT WHITNEY THIS SEASON? WOULD YOU CALL HER A VILLAIN?