In a shocking turn of events that’s lighting up social media, Sister Wives star Janelle Brown is under fire from fans who are accusing her of running a scam disguised as a life coaching business. What started as a harmless “free masterclass” has quickly turned into a full-blown controversy, with viewers calling her out for exploiting her loyal following — and the backlash is only growing louder by the minute.

For years, Janelle has been seen as one of the most grounded and rational members of the Brown family. But lately, her post-divorce “independent woman” phase has taken an unexpected turn. Fans were initially excited when she began promoting her personal growth and wellness journey. Yet, many are now accusing her of crossing a serious ethical line. The once-beloved TLC personality is being blasted online for charging hundreds of dollars for so-called “life coaching sessions”, leaving fans questioning whether Janelle has turned into a “mini Meri” — another Sister Wives star who’s faced similar accusations in the past.

According to furious followers, Janelle’s “free masterclass” was anything but free. The event, which she heavily promoted on social media, promised inspiration, empowerment, and “tools to build your best second chapter.” Nearly 400 fans logged in to hear what she had to say, expecting genuine advice from a woman they’ve followed for over a decade. Instead, what they got — according to witnesses — was a 30-minute sales pitch straight out of a scammer’s playbook.

As viewers tuned in, Janelle reportedly spoke about “owning your power,” “breaking the hamster wheel,” and “finding emotional freedom.” But just when fans thought she’d start offering real insight, she dropped the bomb: an exclusive offer for a 75% discount on her new Life Coach Community program — marked down from $400 a month to $97.

For many, that was the last straw. One attendee commented, “She spent half an hour talking about empowerment, then tried to sell us a $400 subscription to hear more of the same nonsense!” Others pointed out the irony of Janelle — who spent years struggling financially on-screen — suddenly presenting herself as a success coach.

The outrage on Reddit, TikTok, and Instagram was immediate. One viral post declared, “How can someone who lived in an RV without plumbing try to tell me how to live my best life?” Another critic slammed the entire Brown family, saying, “None of these women are qualified to be life coaches. They couldn’t even coach themselves out of their own mess.”

Indeed, much of the criticism centers on Janelle’s lack of professional qualifications. Fans have demanded to see her credentials, noting that life coaching — unlike therapy or counseling — has no official licensing or oversight. “Anyone can call themselves a life coach and charge whatever they want,” one commenter wrote. “There’s zero accountability. It’s a grift, plain and simple.”

Others compared her to Meri Brown, who previously tried selling similar “empowerment retreats” through her bed-and-breakfast. Fans haven’t forgotten that Meri charged hundreds of dollars for “self-love weekends,” only to leave attendees feeling duped. Now, it seems Janelle is facing the same accusations — and the similarities aren’t lost on viewers.

But perhaps the most stinging criticism comes from fans who feel personally betrayed. Many have supported Janelle through her painful split from Kody Brown, cheering her on as she rebuilt her life from scratch. They admired her for her independence, honesty, and resilience. Now, those same supporters are questioning whether she’s exploiting that loyalty for cash.

One particularly blunt fan said, “At least Kody and Robyn aren’t trying to scam vulnerable women online. Janelle and Meri are worse. They know their audience is made up of lonely, heartbroken people who looked up to them, and they’re cashing in on it.” 

The controversy has also reignited discussions about Janelle’s past financial decisions, including her infamous RV purchase and struggles to secure her own property on Coyote Pass. Fans point out that Janelle once admitted to having little savings after decades of spiritual and financial devotion to Kody — yet now she’s positioning herself as an expert in building a “secure, successful life.”

Another fan wrote, “She watched Kody and Robyn blow through everyone’s money and did nothing. And now she wants to tell us how to manage ours? Please.”

As the drama intensifies, many are calling for Janelle to address the backlash directly. So far, she’s remained silent on the criticism, continuing to promote her coaching program online. But fans aren’t backing down. The hashtag #JanelleScam began trending among Sister Wives watchers this week, with dozens of posts mocking her “fake guru” persona.

Even professional counselors have weighed in, warning followers about the dangers of unqualified coaching programs. “A licensed therapist can lose their license if they act unethically,” one psychologist wrote online. “Life coaches like Janelle, on the other hand, can say whatever they want and take your money without consequence. It’s a dangerous loophole.”

Still, some defenders argue that Janelle’s intentions might not be malicious — just misguided. They believe she’s trying to reinvent herself post-divorce and doesn’t realize how bad the optics look. “She probably thinks she’s helping people,” one fan said, “but this isn’t the way to do it. It looks greedy.”

Whether it’s greed, ignorance, or desperation, the damage to Janelle’s image is undeniable. For a woman who once prided herself on her integrity and hard work, this scandal is a painful blow. Fans who once rooted for her independence now see a different picture — one of opportunism and exploitation.

In the end, this fiasco raises serious questions about the growing trend of reality TV stars reinventing themselves as “life coaches.” From Meri Brown to other TLC alumni, many are monetizing their fame by promising personal transformation, but fans are getting wise to the game. As one viewer summed it up perfectly: “If Janelle Brown needs to charge $400 a month to tell people how to live, maybe she’s the one who needs a life coach.”

And so, as the Sister Wives world reels from yet another controversy, one thing’s for sure: the fans have spoken, and they’re not falling for it this time. Whether Janelle will respond to the outcry or double down on her new “coaching career” remains to be seen — but the trust she once enjoyed may be gone for good.

Stay tuned, because this scandal is far from over. And as one fan quipped on TikTok, “At this point, TLC should rename the show: ‘Sister Wives — From Polygamy to Pyramid Schemes.’”