Meri Brown: Show Me Some Respect! I’m a Bada$$!

Meri Brown thinks she has a lot in common with Shonda Rhimes.

There's a sentence we're guessing you didn't expect to see written, huh?

But the Sister Wives star quotes the Grey's Anatomy and Bridgerton creator over the weekend, using Shonda's words on her Instagram Story to try and prove a point.

Simply put?

Brown wants critics to know she isn't meek.

"I am not lucky," the message begins. You know what I am? I am smart, I am talented, I take advantage of the opportunities that come my way and I work really, really hard."

She concluded as follows:

Don't call me lucky. Call me a badass.

Meri Brown/rhimes

The TLC personality felt a need to relay these powerful words just a few weeks after the conclusion of Sister Wives Season 16.

Viewers spent Sunday nights this winter watching these episodes and see just how drastically the relationship between Meri and her spiritual husband, Kody Brown, had deteriorated. 

At one point, Meri finally confessed the pair were just friends -- and that Kody had given her no hope to think this might change.

During the show's tell-all special, we then learned Meri and Kody hadn't slept together forr 10 years.

Meri Brown Reunion Special

Ever since, fans have been wondering why Meri sticks around; why she remains in what seems to be an emotionally abusive relationship.

Many of these same fans have labeled Meri as weak or pathetic for not leaving a man who has openly stated he isn't in love with her and doesn't want to be intimate with her.

On multiple occasions, Brown has tried to defend herself against these kinds of accusations.

Meri Brown Selfie Alert

"A few months ago, I used the word 'estranged' regarding my relationship, in a conversation with a friend. It was the first time I had vocalized it, and it felt.... honest," Meri wrote in early February.

"It was hard to use, and yet somewhat freeing. I know where my relationship is, I'm not oblivious to that. I will always look for the best in people and situations and hope they see it too.

"I want to protect people, their emotions, the tough situations.

"I have never been, nor will I ever be, the person who will sit and publicly trash someone or something. So if you start reading this and think that's what you're going to get here, you'll be disappointed."

Meri Brown at 51

Continued Meri in this previous post, seemingly taken a mini shot at Sister Wives:

"I try not to put labels on things but over the past few months as that 'certain TV show' has been airing, I've been labeled.

"I've been called by viewers, desperate, pathetic, embarrassing, told I have no worth and no value, and a plethora of other things that I won't even mention here."

The veteran reality star concluded back then by insisting she isn't desperate, she's simply content and self-assured these days...

Meri Brown Sister Wives Pic

In actuality, what you've seen is me no longer being silent. What you've seen is me using my voice to have fun and bring humor to a not-so-perfect situation.

The truth is, I KNOW my value. I KNOW my worth. Who I AM, what I want in life, what I aspire to be, and what I feel like I'm doing a pretty dang good job at, is being happy.

I don't let things around me that aren't 'perfect' get me down, because my inner peace and joy is more important to me than that. I surround myself with people who match or exceed my energy.

I have friends, co-workers, colleagues, mentors, who fill my cup, and I hope in some way I'm filling theirs. I engage in positive conversations and situations. I dream with the LID OFF! I have plans and goals and aspirations that make me happy and fulfilled.

I work toward those dreams daily. I overcome, I succeed, I win.

And, I'm happy with myself.

Meri Brown in Front Seat

Despite all of her claims... despite all of the many messages and memes she posts such as this... many Sister Wives viewers simply can't believe Meri is satisfied with  her life in Flagstaff.

She recently took a road trip and said she had to "think about life."

Some folks out there hoped this meant she had decided to leave her marriage.

Alas, the reason behind this road trip was far more basic and unimportant.