When did Katherine Heigl move to Utah? Actress says she has no regrets about leaving Hollywood

Katherine Heigl, 46, is one of Hollywood's many beloved and renowned celebrities who chose to move on from the industry, despite gaining worldwide acclaim and a massive fortune.

The 27 Dresses actress escaped the thriving Hollywood landscape and moved to Utah's Oakley in 2010 with her husband, Josh Kelley. In a conversation with TODAY with Jenna & Friends, she spoke about relocating to Utah and the reasons for this significant decision.

Recalling how her houses in Utah were supposed to be "vacation homes," she shared,

"We built these houses in Utah that we expected to be more vacation homes, or when I could get away from the hustle and all the work. And we just started spending more and more time there."

The Grey’s Anatomy star continued,

"It was my husband who finally made it his primary residence on his driver’s license and stuff. And we went: ‘Yeah, I think this is our primary residence. We live here now."

The choice to move to Utah from Los Angeles came with many lifestyle changes, a quieter atmosphere being one. However, Katherine Heigl has no regrets. She spoke with Francesca Amiker from E! News and revealed how this new space opened doors to joy and clarity in her life.

"I have found and carved out this peace for myself and for my family, and it brings me so much joy and contentment and clarity and grounding. And I just think, 'Why mess with that?'"

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Everything we know about Katherine Heigl's shift to Utah and leaving Hollywood

Katherine Heigl married the love of her life, Josh Kelley, in 2007. Over the years, they have welcomed three kids: Naleigh Moon Kelley, Adalaide Marie Hope Kelley, and Joshua Bishop Kelley Jr. The proud parents adopted Naleigh in September 2009 and Adalaide in 2012. Katherine and Josh's biological child is their youngest son, Joshua, born in December 2016.

The entire family has relocated to Utah, leaving behind the fast-paced life. Talking about the major life transition for her children, Katherine Heigl shared with TODAY with Jenna & Friends,

"I think my children sometimes wish they were in more of a hubbub-y exciting city, but I said to them, 'Listen, I understand that you are sacrificing that in some ways but I still think it was the right choice for us as a family, because I am more centered and aware of what’s going on in your life.'"

Utah's transition from vacation home to the family's primary residence was acknowledged when the actress understood the necessity of a calming and grounded environment for her kids and the fam.

In a 2023 interview with E! News, Katherine Heigl confessed to not knowing how to raise three kids in Los Angeles' environment:

"I didn't know how to raise them in L.A. So I felt like I could do it here. I could be more on top of things that scare me and I could be more on top of the kinds of friends they have and places they're going, the kind of activities they're involved in, and what the hell they're doing on their phones!"

Not only has she shifted to Utah, but decided to leave Hollywood as well. While she was unsure of this humongous change and had to face judgments too, she believed in focusing on her family and herself, instead of people's opinions.

Remembering those days and her experiences, Katherine Heigl shared,

"Sometimes I ask myself if I should be in the game, if I should be hustling, if I should be more ambitious. And I just think I really don't want to. If you don't want that, then don't do it, just because you think that's what you're supposed to do, or that's what society expects from you."

Heigl enjoys the cozy life she has built in Utah. However, she has not forgotten the years she spent hustling and thriving in Hollywood. While chatting with E! News, she chimed in,

"I'm really happy and content and I'm so grateful for the years I had in the industry, in the hustle."

Remembering those initial days of being a mother and raising kids in a busy life, she remarked how she regrets missing "so much of the time" with the little ones when she was working. However, she is grateful to be living her life presently, which she has built over the years.

Chatting about leaving the industry, Katherine Heigl continued how she could not see herself leaving her babies to join a shooting schedule spanning months.

"When they're little, that's the most delicious and exciting time for you as a parent, but when they're teenagers is when they need you the most, and that's where I'm at. I just don't see how I could go off and make a movie for three months or a television series for nine months."

The actress's most recent project was That's Amore!. Directed by Nick Vallelonga, the film features a talented star cast including Katherine Heigl, John Travolta, Christopher Walken, Talia Shire, William Fichtner, and D.B. Sweeney. While its production was concluded in 2022, it has yet to be released.

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