If you’ve been following Sister Wives as closely as millions of fans have over the years, you already know Christine Brown and Janelle Brown aren’t just household names because of their turbulent ties to Kody Brown. They became breakout stars in their own right, admired for their courage to step away from polygamy, rebuild their lives, and show raw vulnerability in front of the cameras. Yet beyond the headlines of failed marriages and new beginnings, another storyline has been brewing—one that’s left longtime viewers divided. That storyline? Christine and Janelle’s infamous “side hustles,” which critics say are on shaky ground, sustained only by the lifeline of their TLC paychecks.

The Rise of Reality TV Hustles

Reality television has always blurred the line between entertainment and entrepreneurship. For Christine and Janelle, the massive platform of Sister Wives seemed like a golden opportunity to pivot into business ventures. They leaned heavily into wellness, supplements, and weight-loss products—most notably the controversial Plexus brand. Their Instagram pages became saturated with smiling selfies, neon-colored drinks, motivational captions, and promises of transformation.

To their supporters, these ventures looked like women seizing independence after years of financial strain under Kody. But to critics, they felt like scams designed to cash in on fan loyalty. The truth, as many fans now argue, lies somewhere in between.

The Cracks Begin to Show

The deeper Christine and Janelle pushed into these wellness hustles, the more glaring the contradictions became. Janelle documented her personal fitness journey online, often admitting her ongoing struggles with weight management. At the same time, she enthusiastically promoted products that supposedly solved those very struggles. Christine, meanwhile, credited her glow to powdered supplements, but fans pointed out the real change came from walking away from Kody and finding happiness with her new husband, David Woolley.

Social media buzz grew louder. Reddit threads, Facebook groups, and YouTube commentary channels tore apart their pitches. Many labeled them “tone-deaf” for selling dreams of financial freedom to women already facing money troubles. And while Christine and Janelle styled themselves as relatable single moms, critics saw the darker side: MLM companies thrive on recruiting those who are vulnerable, with promises that rarely materialize.

MLM Accusations and Public Scrutiny

At the center of this storm is Plexus, the company both women championed. Plexus has long faced accusations of misleading claims, pyramid-style recruitment, and lawsuits from disgruntled former members. The system works like this: only those at the top benefit financially, while the vast majority of recruits lose money. Christine and Janelle, thanks to their celebrity status, could easily land at the top tier, while average fans hoping to follow in their footsteps were left struggling to keep up.

This didn’t sit well with viewers who admired Christine and Janelle’s strength on Sister Wives. For fans who saw them as survivors carving out independence from Kody, the MLM promotions felt like betrayal.

TLC: The Real Lifeline

Here’s where the twist comes in—their MLM hustles may make headlines, but they aren’t what keep Christine and Janelle afloat financially. That safety net still comes directly from TLC.

Reports suggest the Brown family earns between $250,000 and $400,000 per season of Sister Wives. While that sum is split across multiple cast members, it’s still far more stable than the unpredictable world of MLM income. In interviews, both Christine and Janelle have admitted that walking away from the show was never a true option. The TLC checks remain the backbone of their financial security.

This irony hasn’t escaped fans. Many roll their eyes when Christine and Janelle claim Plexus is the reason they’re thriving, knowing full well it’s reality TV that pays the bills. And yet, Christine and Janelle continue the hustle, posting photos, filming product videos, and creating hashtags—all while TLC keeps their names relevant enough to sell anything at all.

Empowerment or Exploitation?

One of the trickiest aspects of this storyline is the blurred line between empowerment and exploitation. Christine and Janelle frame their hustle as proof of their independence from Kody, showcasing themselves as women who reinvented their lives. But fans are catching on that what’s really being sold isn’t weight-loss drinks or coaching programs—it’s the illusion of the Christine and Janelle lifestyle.

For some, that illusion is inspiring. For others, it feels exploitative, especially when followers invest money into businesses stacked against them. And with each new Instagram post or sponsored live session, that line grows thinner.

The Parallels to Their Marriage with Kody

There’s an eerie parallel between Christine and Janelle’s MLM ventures and their relationships with Kody. Both were built on big promises. Both led to moments of disappointment. And in both, Christine and Janelle often convinced themselves they were better off than reality suggested. The only difference? Unlike Kody, the TLC show hasn’t abandoned them. As long as cameras keep rolling, Christine and Janelle’s financial safety net remains secure.

Branding Beyond TLC

Still, Christine and Janelle aren’t blind to the fragility of their fame. They’ve been working overtime to expand their personal brands, building presences on TikTok, Instagram, Cameo, and even subscription platforms like Patreon. These outlets serve as both backup plans and recruiting grounds for new fans willing to buy whatever they’re selling. The more dramatic their storylines on Sister Wives, the more relatable they appear offscreen—and the more their hustles thrive.

But even here, skepticism looms. Fans have grown savvy about influencer culture. They know the difference between genuine endorsements and calculated marketing. And Christine and Janelle’s pitches often feel like the latter.

Why Fans Still Buy In

So why do fans keep supporting them, even when MLM schemes are called out as scams? The answer lies in relatability. Christine and Janelle embody resilience. They’ve endured heartbreak, walked away from unhealthy marriages, and started over—stories that resonate deeply with viewers. For fans who see themselves in these women, buying a product feels like buying a piece of that resilience.

And Christine and Janelle know it. That’s why the cycle continues: TLC gives them the spotlight, they use the spotlight to sell, and their fans buy in, creating a loop of drama, relatability, and commerce.

The Hard Truth

The reality is clear: Christine and Janelle’s hustles are not built on solid ground. MLM ventures may provide temporary paydays, but they crumble without constant recruitment and promotion. What truly sustains them isn’t Plexus or supplements—it’s the TLC show that launched their fame.

The irony is rich. After years of declaring independence from Kody, Christine and Janelle are still dependent—just not on him. Now, they rely on TLC and the producers who ensure their storylines remain juicy enough to keep viewers tuned in.

The Future of the Hustle

As Sister Wives continues, the question becomes whether Christine and Janelle will double down on their MLM ventures or pivot into something more sustainable. Perhaps they’ll land spinoffs, write books, or launch businesses less tied to pyramid structures. But for now, the TLC safety net keeps their side hustles alive, even as public opinion sours.

Some fans continue to cheer them on, convinced Christine and Janelle are simply doing their best in a world that profits off reality stars. Others see them as opportunists selling false hope. The truth may be both.

What’s undeniable is this: without Sister Wives, Christine and Janelle’s hustles would collapse almost overnight. TLC saves them again and again, proving that reality TV fame, for all its flaws, remains their most reliable hustle of all.