In a shocking move that has stirred up the Sister Wives fanbase and reality TV watchers alike, Kody Brown—patriarch of the famous polygamous Brown family—has signed on for a brand new television venture. This time, it’s not about plural marriage or family struggles. It’s Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, Fox’s high-stakes, physically grueling reality show that places celebrities into military-style training scenarios. While the move may seem like a new chapter for Kody, not everyone is thrilled about his appearance—and one of his co-stars made that very clear.

From Polygamy to Parachutes?

Kody’s appearance on Special Forces marks his first major television project outside of TLC’s Sister Wives, the reality juggernaut that has followed the ups and downs of his plural family since 2010. For fans of the show, the news is baffling. Kody, who is known for dodging conflict and managing family drama with his four (now mostly estranged) wives and 18 children, doesn’t exactly scream “military elite.”

Yet come September 25th, viewers will see him attempting tasks like jumping out of helicopters, crossing dangerous terrain, and enduring grueling mental challenges—all part of the show’s format that mimics real-life Special Forces selection processes. But if you ask some fans (and even fellow cast members), they’re not buying it.

Cast Member Throws Shade: “I Didn’t Even Know Who He Was”

When asked about working with Kody on set, one cast member didn’t hold back. In fact, they outright admitted, “I didn’t even know who he was while we were filming. And no, we didn’t necessarily get along.” Ouch. That kind of blunt dismissal has made its rounds across social media, especially among longtime Sister Wives viewers who’ve grown tired of Kody’s antics and narcissistic tendencies on TLC.

Some reality TV commentators have compared his casting to a last-ditch effort by so-called “washed-up” reality stars to stay relevant. One blunt YouTuber even suggested, “This show is like the bottom of the barrel. It’s where reality stars go when they’ve got nothing left.” The cast of Special Forces this season also includes Teresa Giudice (The Real Housewives of New Jersey), Savannah Chrisley (Chrisley Knows Best), and Britney Cartwright (Vanderpump Rules), all of whom are dealing with the aftermath of fading fame or canceled shows.

Fans Erupt Online: “We’re Boycotting!”

Unsurprisingly, the announcement that Kody would join this already-controversial show sparked a wave of backlash online. When Parade.com and Entertainment Weekly confirmed the news, fans flooded comment sections across platforms with reactions ranging from sarcastic disbelief to genuine outrage.

“We already get enough of him on Sister Wives, why would we want more?” wrote one user. Another added, “If anything, Teresa Giudice is going to put him in his place. I’d pay to watch that.”

And then came the boycott calls. Hundreds of users rallied around the idea of refusing to watch the show entirely, seeing it as just another attempt for Kody to cash in on the fame he’s already milked from his family for over a decade. Some even claimed he shouldn’t be given more opportunities after the way he treated his wives, especially Christine and Janelle, during the breakdown of the Brown family.

Low Pay, Lower Respect

While many wonder why Kody would even agree to participate, the answer might be simpler than expected: money. However, sources familiar with the reality TV industry insist that these types of competition shows offer little in terms of financial gain—as little as $5,000 for several weeks of filming, depending on the contract. That has prompted speculation that Kody is more desperate than ever to stay in the spotlight.

One former reality TV personality even shared that she was once approached by a network to do a similar show and declined due to the low compensation and long time commitment. “Thirty to forty-five days away from my family for five grand? No thanks,” she revealed. This makes Kody’s choice all the more questionable—especially considering how attached he supposedly is to his youngest children with Robyn.

Speaking of Robyn…

Naturally, fans couldn’t resist dragging Robyn into the discussion. Her close bond with Kody has been a major storyline on Sister Wives, and now that he’s off on this solo adventure, many are wondering—how is Robyn coping without him? Some jokingly suggested that Kody probably brought Robyn and her kids along as his “emotional support family.” One fan quipped, “She’s probably going to need two nannies just to survive without him.”

There’s also widespread skepticism that Kody will even make it through the show. As one commenter brutally reminded fans, “This is the same man who acted like he was on his deathbed with a 99.8-degree fever.” Physical endurance may not be Kody’s strong suit, and more than a few people have predicted that he’ll tap out early in the process.

Is This Just One Big Publicity Stunt?

Conspiracy theories abound about why this particular cast was selected. Several fans believe the show is now using manufactured headlines and fake controversy to drum up interest. Many posts about Kody’s casting are going viral not because fans are excited—but because they’re outraged. Some are even speculating that click farms and troll accounts are responsible for artificially boosting engagement around his name.

The question is: Why would producers want Kody so badly? Is it because he’s controversial? Is it because they’re banking on Sister Wives fans hate-watching the show?

Either way, it’s clear this casting decision is dividing the fanbase. And while Kody is no stranger to drama, the Special Forces experience might push him far beyond the emotional chaos of his family and into the realm of physical humiliation.

Final Thoughts

Whether you plan to tune in or not, one thing’s for sure—Kody Brown’s participation in Special Forces is making headlines. And not for the reasons he probably hoped. While he may be looking to reinvent himself or prove he’s got what it takes to survive outside the world of polygamy, critics are lining up to tear down what they see as a transparent grab for relevance.

From cast members throwing shade to fans organizing unofficial boycotts, Kody is already off to a rocky start. Will he survive the training? Will he make it to the end of the season? Or will he become the next reality star to flame out in spectacular fashion?

Guess we’ll find out on September 25th, when Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test premieres on Fox.

But as one user summed it up perfectly:
“We’ve seen enough of Kody on Sister Wives. No need to suffer through another show.”