Janelle Brown Introduces Boyfriend Pete After Kody Brown Split

Janelle Brown has made her new relationship public. The Sister Wives star introduced her boyfriend, Pete, on Instagram on August 18, 2026, nearly four years after her separation from Kody Brown.

The announcement marks a notable change for Janelle, who previously said she was not interested in dating or getting married again. Her latest update suggests that her approach to relationships has changed naturally rather than through a planned search for romance.

Janelle Brown Goes Public With Boyfriend Pete

Janelle shared a selfie with Pete on Instagram while announcing their relationship to her followers.

In the post, she explained that their relationship developed unexpectedly. She said she had not been looking for someone but described the connection as something she did not realise she needed.

She ended the post by introducing him simply as “Pete”. TLC also confirmed the relationship announcement on its official Sister Wives website, describing it as Janelle’s first public photo with her new boyfriend.

The couple appears to have kept their relationship relatively private before Janelle decided to share the news publicly. Details about Pete remain limited, so there is still little publicly confirmed information about their relationship timeline.

Janelle Previously Said She Was Not Looking for Love

The announcement is especially notable because of what Janelle said about her romantic future in 2025.

During a February 2025 appearance on the Sibling Revelry podcast, Janelle said she was not interested in getting married again or actively dating at that point. She also said she was comfortable with her single life, while leaving open the possibility that circumstances could change in the future.

That earlier position makes her 2026 relationship announcement a significant shift.

Rather than presenting the relationship as something she deliberately searched for, Janelle’s latest Instagram message indicates that Pete entered her life unexpectedly.

Janelle and Kody Brown’s Long Spiritual Marriage

Janelle and Kody Brown began their spiritual marriage in 1993. Unlike a legal marriage, their union was religious in nature.

The couple eventually separated in 2022 after nearly three decades together. They share six children. Their family life and the challenges within their plural marriage have been a major part of Sister Wives since the show’s debut.

Janelle’s separation also unfolded differently from the experiences of some of Kody’s other former wives. Christine Brown left Kody in 2021, while Meri Brown later ended her relationship with him. Robyn Brown remains Kody’s only wife.

Janelle Received a Spiritual Release in 2026

Another important development came earlier this year.

In a January 2026 episode of Sister Wives, Janelle revealed that she had received a spiritual “release” from Kody through their former church, the Apostolic United Brethren.

The release was significant because Janelle had previously discussed her uncertainty about how her religious beliefs affected her separation from Kody. After receiving the document, she described feeling free from the spiritual connection to the marriage.

That development came several years after the couple’s separation and added another layer to Janelle’s transition into life after Kody.

Janelle Built a New Life in North Carolina

Following her split from Kody, Janelle also made changes to her personal life outside the relationship.

She relocated to North Carolina to be closer to her daughter Madison Brush and her grandchildren. TLC has also highlighted Janelle’s new home and her life away from the family dynamics that defined much of her time on Sister Wives.

Her move, spiritual release and new relationship all represent different stages of the life she has built since leaving Kody.

Christine Brown Supports Janelle’s New Relationship

Janelle’s former sister-wife and long-time friend Christine Brown also reacted positively to the announcement.

According to reports, Christine described Pete as an “awesome guy” and noted that he works in construction, similar to her husband, David Woolley.

Christine and Janelle have remained close after both leaving their relationship with Kody. Christine married David in 2023, making her reaction to Janelle’s new relationship particularly meaningful for long-time Sister Wives viewers.

What Janelle Brown’s New Relationship Means for Her Next Chapter

Janelle’s relationship with Pete represents a new stage in a story that has played out publicly for years.

When she spoke about dating in 2025, romance was not a priority. By August 2026, however, she had chosen to introduce a boyfriend to her followers.

For now, Janelle has not shared extensive details about Pete or their future plans. She also has not announced any plans to marry again.

What is clear is that Janelle is moving forward on her own terms. Her latest announcement gives fans a glimpse into a personal chapter she had previously kept private.