As a film enthusiast with a penchant for reality television and a deep appreciation for the nuances of human behavior, I must say that “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” is an intriguing addition to the ever-evolving landscape of reality TV. The series offers a unique blend of faith, family, and social media influence, making it a captivating exploration of modern-day Mormon culture.


In an unexpected turn of events, words like Mormon swingers, TikTok sponsorships, and specialty sodas are now interconnected due to the show “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” on Hulu. This reality series focuses on eight LDS mom influencers living in Utah, elevating their TikTok presence to a broader audience through the platform.

Mormon mommy mess?

In May 2022, Taylor Frankie Paul, often referred to as the founder of #MomTok, went live on TikTok to announce her and her husband, Tate Paul’s separation. But that wasn’t the only shocking revelation; they were engaged in a practice known as “soft swinging,” which means exchanging partners with another couple but not having full-blown relationships outside their marriage. Taylor admitted to engaging in such activities with other members of the Mormon TikTok community. In her video, she suggested that everyone was involved in these romantic entanglements, without naming specific individuals. This led to a heated debate and numerous accusations among their online circle on the internet.

What is soft swinging?

Previously discussed, Taylor revealed that the main cause of her divorce was a breach of their informal “open relationship” agreement with other couples, which she referred to as “soft swinging.” To clarify, this means they allowed others into their relationship while also letting others join them, but they didn’t fully switch partners or engage in full-blown relationships outside the group. Taylor admitted that she deviated from this arrangement, which was agreed upon by all parties involved.

In the TV show, all the female characters, with the exception of Taylor, strongly assert that they’ve never participated in “alternative relationships” or non-monogamy. Although they don’t mention any specific individuals from this “non-monogamous group,” it seems clear that those characters aren’t part of the show’s cast.

Where does the show start off?

The story kicks off several months following the public scandal, with Taylor making an effort to reconcile with her fellow women prior to her domestic violence arrest. Simultaneously, Whitney Leavitt departed for Hawaii to dodge allegations but eventually returned to Utah harboring another hidden truth. Given that it’s titled “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” you can imagine the intrigue! Taylor and Whitney are vying for the top spot on #MomTok, with Taylor attempting to reclaim her position as the hashtag’s queen, and Whitney aiming to steer the women towards a fresh direction. In the sneak peek of the season, another cast member declares open hostility: “There’s a battle for the queen bee of Mom Tok; you’re either on Team Taylor or Team Whitney.

The criticism for the series isn’t only originating from within; individuals affiliated with the LDS faith have been expressing their disapproval, asserting that it doesn’t accurately portray their religion. Speaking to ABC4, Jessi remarked, “The response from our community has been challenging, but I believe if they took a look at it, they would understand it’s an inspiring show about women within this faith and culture, yet each of us navigating our imperfections differently.

Wait, go back. Why was Taylor Frankie Paul arrested?

Approximately several months following the publicized scandal, Taylor was apprehended in February 2023 for an instance of domestic violence witnessed by a child, following an intoxicated altercation with her partner, Dakota Mortensen. This event is depicted through body-camera footage towards the end of the first episode. According to reports, Taylor allegedly hurled a metal chair at Mortensen who then expressed fear for his life. The child present during this incident was also struck by the flying chair. A detective mentioned that the child had a noticeable bump on their head resembling a “goose egg.” In August 2023, Taylor admitted guilt to aggravated assault and has since been open about her sobriety online.

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2024-09-07 01:53