Everyone Knows #MomTok Is a Lie

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In essence, many reality lifestyle shows often feature individuals who would likely not have crossed paths if not for the show. For instance, on the Housewives series, while they may reside in the same area, there’s usually no strong bond tying them together beyond that. They visit each other’s homes and are frequently taken aback by various aspects like decor or layout. These aren’t individuals who know each other well or naturally belong together. However, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, now in its second season, has introduced a unique twist to this formula. Unlike other shows where participants come together solely for the show, these women are interacting primarily due to #MomTok, a community bonded by TikTok content.

#MomTok, despite its initial significance, has evolved into something more abstract than a formal organization. It’s a collective concept shared among certain individuals, loosely tied together by their participation in a perceived community, similar to but not identical to the reality show. The name #MomTok offers little insight into its purpose or function for Mormon wives, and many women on TikTok use it casually. There’s no governing body, no set of defined rules, and no official leader or membership process. Its existence is largely a product of their collective imagination, which makes for engaging television due to the inconsistencies between the idealized image and reality. (Apologies to Benedict Anderson.) In essence, #MomTok is as real as its members choose to believe it is.

They are making significant efforts to cultivate the online community known as #MomTok, which is crucial for their livelihoods and social lives. It’s a unique space that combines Mormon beliefs with feminist empowerment, creating an intriguing paradox. The identity of being part of #MomTok can be maintained even from outside its boundaries. For instance, Whitney Leavitt, a cast member from the Hulu series “Mormon Wives,” posted a video expressing reluctance about participating in #MomTok, suggesting there might be tensions within the community. Similarly, Mikayla Matthews shared a video showing up early to a gathering of fellow #MomTok members, hinting at her ongoing involvement despite her apparent reservations. The question remains: do such displays of exclusion reinforce or challenge one’s membership in this online community?

As a follower of MomTok, I’ve come to realize that this community isn’t so different from other groups where belonging is demonstrated performatively, such as sororities or certain lifestyle movements. Yet, it’s also distinctively unlike these groups in some ways. For instance, Taylor Frankie Paul and Matthews use the #MomTok hashtag on videos of cleaning their homes and sleeping toddlers, while Jessi Ngatikaura and Layla Taylor primarily employ it for sponsored content. Interestingly, Jen Affleck, a founding member, took a break from TikTok during the first season of “Mormon Wives” and returned with a pregnancy announcement, not labeled #MomTok. Now, she tags both the Hulu show’s official account and the #MomTok hashtag interchangeably. It’s an intriguing mix – at times it appears as a heartfelt portrayal of motherhood, while other times it seems like a label or sponsored tag. The usage can be communal or solitary, inconsistent yet captivating in its complexity.

As a devoted admirer, what truly captivates me about “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” is the recurring moment when these women address the camera and claim, “I’m just safeguarding #MomTok.” This occurs frequently throughout the series – even the season two trailer is filled with complaints and concerns under the #MomTok banner. However, I must clarify… you’re not protecting it! None of you seem genuinely concerned about #MomTok! It has indeed transformed into a lucrative source of income through brand partnerships. Yet, any initial ideology tied to this seemingly noble endeavor has been drained out completely. Now, #MomTok is merely a phrase, a symbol of camaraderie that people use, a sense of belonging many claim, except for when it suddenly matters tremendously to them.

In simpler terms, the group of Mormon wives on the show #MomTok can talk extensively about their lives without breaking the rule of not revealing they’re on a reality show. They can enjoy trips and host parties for the show, but they must avoid stating obvious reasons related to the show. For instance, they might say “#MomTok is turning against each other” instead of “The cast of our show is fighting.” Similarly, when someone new joins the cast, they might say “Anyone that comes in at this point is clout chasing,” even though what they really mean is “#MomTok,” which stands for their collective performance on social media. The term #MomTok can represent their shared act of camaraderie, whether it’s for TikTok videos or the series itself. This continuous talk about #MomTok allows the Mormon wives to add a layer of meta-discussion that other shows typically express through social media feuds and reunion episodes.

What’s special and captivating about #MomTok is that whenever someone mentions it, it sounds absurd and makes everyone else sound the same way. The series The secret lives of Mormon wives is filled with gravity and tension, as well as cultural norms related to feminism, gender roles, and religion. However, #MomTok manages to bring everything back to a charming and shallow level. It’s almost hard to believe that such a topic can be so serious, but here we are talking about #MomTok! #MomTok is both beautiful and mindless at the same time, which makes it all the more intriguing.

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2025-05-16 00:54