Whitney Leavitt, known for her role in the Hulu reality series "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," has announced her departure from the show following its fifth season. Leavitt, 33, stated in an interview with People that while she has "plenty" of regrets from her time on the series, she would not change anything.
Leavitt's tenure on the show was characterized by significant friction with co-stars, notably Taylor Frankie Paul and Mayci Neeley, and a considerable amount of online criticism, which she referred to as backlash from "haters." She revealed that she has learned to harness this criticism as a source of motivation, stating, "I will always have haters. But I have found a way for it to motivate me where I’m like, 'Let me prove you wrong.'"
The Utah-based influencers gained a following on TikTok for sharing family and lifestyle content, which then inspired "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives."
On-Screen Tensions
Leavitt's conflicts with co-stars were a central theme of the show. A notable clash occurred with Taylor Frankie Paul, 32, in the September 2024 premiere episode. The dispute stemmed from Paul's June 2022 admission that she and her then-husband had engaged in "soft-swinging" with other couples in their social circle. Paul confessed to breaking an agreement by "going all the way" with another husband, leading Leavitt to express feelings of betrayal and unsafety on screen, asserting that Paul had involved others uninvolved in the situation.
Leavitt maintained that she and her husband, Connor, were never part of the swinging scandal and distanced herself from those who were. Viewers often accused Leavitt of an exaggerated reaction and of prioritizing her public image.
Another point of contention involved Mayci Neeley, after Leavitt shared screenshots of private group texts online and missed Neeley's "Baby Mama" launch event. Neeley described Leavitt as impulsive and prone to changing her mind frequently. While Leavitt and Neeley maintained a professional distance, Leavitt and Paul publicly unfollowed each other on social media.
Adding to the show's drama, Paul's 2023 domestic violence arrest involving her then-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, also drew negative attention. Reports indicated that some co-stars, including Leavitt, expressed concerns to network executives about how these incidents could overshadow the program and impact their careers.
Expanding Beyond Reality Television
Leavitt has sought opportunities beyond "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives." She participated in season 34 of "Dancing with the Stars," describing it as a dream come true that reignited her passion. Despite facing accusations of favoritism and criticism regarding her modern dance background, she reached the semi-finals.
Following her participation in the dance competition, Leavitt made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in "Chicago" on February 2. The production, initially planned for six weeks, was extended to three months and reportedly broke box office records for the production company. Leavitt described the experience as "definitely validating."
Leavitt has also established a new production company, Leavitt Media House. She is currently starring in and producing independent film projects, including the holiday romantic comedy "All For Love." She expressed a desire to create her own opportunities, stating, "I can’t control people accepting me in their projects, so let me go out and create my own." Leavitt, who has three children with her husband Connor, emphasized her drive to face challenges and prove doubters wrong.
