The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives hit Hulu on September 6th, 2024, and it’s definitely got people talking. The eight-episode reality show dives into the lives of a group of Mormon wives, showing both the glitzy and scandalous sides of their existence. If you’re thinking of watching, here’s a little breakdown of what to expect.
Contents
Meet the Influencer Mormons
The show centers around a group of women who are no strangers to the internet spotlight. We’ve got Jennifer Affleck, Taylor Frankie Paul, Whitney Leavitt, Jessi Ngatikaura, Mikayla Mathews, Mayci Neeley, Demi Engemann, and Layla Wessel. These women started a TikTok trend called Momtalk, where they gave the world a peek into their lives as Mormon wives. But things took a sharp turn when rumors of swinging entered the chat.
While the series initially showcases the daily grind of following Mormon traditions, it doesn’t shy away from exploring how these women navigate societal expectations and personal choices. Of course, their intentions of subverting the patriarchy are quickly overshadowed by the drama surrounding their actions.
The Swinging Scandal: Taylor’s Confession
One of the central storylines revolves around Taylor Frankie Paul, who, out of the entire group, is the only one to openly admit to being involved in the swinging lifestyle. Taylor is divorced and doesn’t believe in having just one partner, which is a stark contrast to the ideals traditionally upheld by her Mormon faith. In later episodes, the show reveals that, despite the perfect lives these women portray on social media, they’re all dealing with their own flaws and struggles.
Whitney and her husband had some marital issues but seem to be on the mend, while Taylor’s story takes a darker turn. She was arrested for battery, an incident that’s captured on camera, adding more layers to her already complex character. While some viewers might see her as the villain of the series, she’s also portrayed as a more nuanced person, flawed but human.
Taylor vs. Whitney and the Fallout
After her release from prison, the Momtalk group fell apart. Taylor and Whitney, once part of the same crew, are now on opposite sides of the drama. Meanwhile, we’re introduced to Zen, a young woman trapped in a controlling marriage, and Jen, who might be headed toward divorce.
The show does a good job of showing how the scandal impacted the lives of these women, both before and after everything blew up. The swinging scandal may have thrust them into the limelight, but it’s clear that none of them are perfect—and that’s what makes their stories so interesting to watch. The cracks in their carefully curated social media personas are finally revealed, making for some real moments of vulnerability.
Final Thoughts
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives does more than just dive into the swinging scandal; it digs deeper into the complexities of these women’s lives. It’s not your typical, sensationalistic reality show. Instead, it paints a fuller picture of these women, flaws and all, without picking sides. That said, eight episodes may feel a bit much—it could’ve easily been trimmed down for a tighter narrative. But even with its pacing issues, the series is worth checking out if you’re into real-life drama that’s a little more than just skin-deep.