Mary Cosby and her son shared his addiction struggle on ‘Real Housewives.’ Now fans are grieving alongside her.

Reality television storylines can be superficial and fleeting. But in the wake of the death of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Mary Cosby’s son Robert Cosby Jr., the onscreen moments shared between the two feel anything but disposable.

News broke on Wednesday that the 23-year-old died on Feb. 23, after officers from the Salt Lake City Police Department responded to calls about a “possible overdose.” Mary and her husband, Robert Cosby Sr., confirmed their son’s death in a statement. “Our beloved son Robert Jr. has been called home to the Lord,” it read. “Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in God’s promise and in knowing he is finally at peace. We are grateful for your prayers and trust in the Lord to carry us through this time of sorrow.”

The update, which didn’t cite any cause of death, was met with emotional reactions from Real Housewives fans. To many of the viewers who have closely watched — and in some cases, connected with — Robert’s struggle with addiction, as documented on his mother’s show, the loss feels personal.

Horace Gold was among those who posted on social media to share his grief. A recovering addict himself, Gold tells Yahoo that what the Cosby family shared with the world was not only a stark reminder of the “reality” of reality television but also a “profound” example of how addiction impacts both those struggling and the people who love them.

After Robert’s passing, the weight of those scenes has only deepened, transforming a TV storyline into a cultural touchpoint about honesty, boundaries and the complicated truth that love alone is not always enough. Experts say recognizing that distinction may be one of the most important takeaways.

What viewers saw

In a Season 5 episode of RHOSLC that aired in November 2024, Robert told his mother he had been using drugs recreationally since he was 16, when he was first offered Xanax at a party. What began as experimentation escalated to the use of acid, MDMA and cocaine. He eventually started taking as many as 10 oxycodone pills at once.

“I wanted to die at the time,” he said. “I felt like a stain. I just felt like this world wasn’t for me.” As he spoke, Mary broke down in tears and offered to get him help.

The conversation stunned viewers not just for its rawness but also for its lack of orchestration. Appearing on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen the month after that episode aired, Mary shared that her son had completed a monthlong rehab stay and “came out a new person.” She added that neither of them had planned the scene. “We just came together … and I said, ‘We’re gonna do this because we’re gonna help someone [watching].’”

In a January 2025 interview with Today, Mary described her son’s recovery as ongoing and uncertain. “He goes day by day,” she told the outlet. “I don’t have anything to complain about, and I don’t really have anything to celebrate. It’s just a daily thing.”

By the time the Season 6 reunion aired in January 2026, Mary had a more troubling update: Robert had been arrested and jailed after violating a restraining order from his ex-wife (who had also briefly appeared on the show). While acknowledging the pain of the situation, she also spoke about boundaries. “At some point, I have to step back so he can learn,” she said. “You just don’t want to see your kid suffer.”

Robert was released on Feb. 3 after two months in jail. Mary celebrated his return in an Instagram post days later. On Feb. 25, she shared the news of his death.

The impact beyond one family

For viewers, those scenes and interviews were emotional. For addiction specialists and people in recovery, they were something more: a rare case study in how unscripted television can humanize a crisis that is often misunderstood, stigmatized or ignored.

Gold, who is six years sober, said watching Robert describe feeling like a “stain” was almost unbearable in its accuracy. “There’s this idea that reality TV is all artifice. And then you watch it and you’re like, That’s actually incredibly real,” he says. “It’s profound in that way, because I think it is one of the first times that we’ve seen it really as clear. There’s no intention; there’s no story arc as traditional scripted media would serve. There’s not like a crux to press home some other larger point,” says Gold. “This is just their life.”

That honesty and vulnerability are what hit home for so many, according to Newport Health addictions counselor and media psychologist Don Grant, especially considering the parasocial nature of reality TV. “It’s not like a character in a movie. People feel like they know [Mary] and know the family,” he tells Yahoo. “When you have a mom people relate to, someone they’ve seen honestly talking about it, those testimonies matter. It creates understanding, and it tells people, ‘You’re not alone.’” That can reach people whether they’ve had similar experiences or not.

“With this story, we’re not looking at a stereotypical depiction [of an addict],” adds Grant, pointing to the abundance of resources, wealth and love that surrounded Robert. “Addiction has no prejudice. It crosses class, culture, gender, religion and socioeconomic status.” The distinction that addiction is not a moral failure, and that families cannot love someone into sobriety, is critical.

Eliza Davis, a New York–based therapist and Bravo fan, says that the storyline’s refusal to offer a tidy redemption arc may be what makes it culturally significant. “Showing relapse and ongoing struggle avoids oversimplifying what recovery ‘should’ look like. It helps families understand that relapse is common and not necessarily a failure,” she tells Yahoo. “Sadly, resolution and recovery aren’t always guaranteed.”

In this case, the reach of Mary and Robert’s story has created a sense of community, according to Davis, and “a shared experience within the grief,” following his passing, she says.

Bravo host Cohen acknowledged this during WWHL on Thursday. “I will always appreciate getting a small window into the unconditional love between Mary and Robert Jr.,” he said. “Mary, you did such a good job. I know that their bravery and their vulnerability in sharing their story has helped and will continue to help countless people who are struggling. Rest in peace, Robert Jr.”

Why it matters

While the grief surrounding Robert’s death is deeply personal to his family, the ripple effects extend beyond a single franchise or fan base, especially in a time when addiction continues to devastate families across the United States.

According to federal health data, overdose deaths remain one of the leading causes of accidental death nationwide, with opioids — particularly fentanyl — driving much of the crisis. Though Robert’s cause of death has yet to be confirmed, experts have no doubt that what he revealed of his struggle has the power to help others.

“This disease is so confusing because it’s not a morality litmus test. It’s important for people who are not afflicted with it to be able to see that,” says Gold.

For those with experience, these conversations can combat the shame that keeps so many from getting the help they need, or the shame they carry when they’re attempting to help someone they love. “Asking for help can be one of the scariest things to do. If watching this storyline brings up feelings about your own behaviors or someone you love, don’t be afraid to reach out to your support system to navigate the next steps of seeking help,” says Davis.

“Ask professionals for guidance,” says Grant. “We’re here. We’re nonjudgmental.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration treatment referral helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357).