The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Cast praises family amidst social media backlash

In response to the intense social media backlash following the release of the show's teaser, the cast of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has spoken out in support of one another and their families. The teaser, released in August 2024, sparked outrage by spotlighting star Taylor Frankie Paul's involvement in a "soft swinging" incident and her domestic violence arrest.

Since then, many cast members have received unpleasant feedback from the public, including alleged death threats, with criticism particularly intense among Mormons. Despite this, the women stressed the value of family and thanked their loved ones for supporting them during this difficult time.

Mikayla Matthews, one of the show's stars, acknowledged the response, particularly from Utah, but shared that their families continue to be a strong source of support. Fellow cast member Demi Engemann echoed this sentiment, saying that while the internet criticism is severe, their familial relationships remain strong, giving them the strength to move forward.

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives face backlash from their community

The cast of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has faced substantial criticism from within their community. Mikayla Matthews reported that the backlash has been pronounced, especially in Utah, where a significant portion of the criticism has originated. In an exclusive interview with TooFab published on September 5, 2024, Matthews stated:

“The backlash seems so loud because we do live in Utah, and most of the hate is coming from Utah.”

During the conversation, Demi Engemann described the reaction as divided. She shared:

“With like 50% of the people that are excited and like, ‘We’re rooting for you,’ and then the other side of death threats and people who are absolutely furious that we would sign up to be on a show like this.”

Criticism from fellow Mormons

The show has also drawn criticism from other members of the Mormon community. During the interview with TooFab, Layla Taylor noted that some individuals have questioned her faith due to her participation in the show. She said:

“I have been asked, ‘How dare you call yourself Mormon?’ for being part of the show.”

Taylor acknowledged the validity of differing opinions but encouraged people to wait until the show’s release before forming final judgments.

Taylor Frankie Paul recognized that controversies involving religious themes often lead to heightened scrutiny. She highlighted that the cast’s diverse experiences within the Mormon community are represented in The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Paul said:

“The cast covers a wide spectrum of the community—some more devout than others—and it’s representative of everyone.”

Online reactions vs. in-person interactions

The cast members of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives have experienced a contrast between online reactions and in-person interactions. Whitney Leavitt noted that while the online response has been intense, in-person interactions at church have been less confrontational. Leavitt explained:

“Nobody is coming up to us at church and telling us that we’re not Mormon.”

Mayci Neeley reported a similar experience, mentioning that despite some disappointment in seeing criticism from the community, she has also received positive feedback. Neeley said:

“It has been disappointing to see some in our community turn on us, but I’ve also been getting a lot of positive in the DMs to keep it evened out.”

The impact of negativity on the show’s success

Jennifer Affleck suggested that the backlash could contribute to increased interest in the show. She stated:

“The hate is great because that means more people are going to tune in and actually hear our stories and lives, which I think is what we’re excited about.”

The cast members remain hopeful that the full series will provide a clearer picture of their experiences. Mikayla Matthews anticipated that the response might worsen before it improves. Matthews said:

“I feel like it’s gonna get worse before it gets better, to be honest.”

She added that the complete series will offer more context and understanding of their stories.

Challenging stereotypes and changing perceptions

The cast of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives hopes the show will challenge stereotypes about Mormon women. In the interview with TooFab, Layla Taylor expressed a desire for viewers to see diverse representations within the church. Taylor said:

“Hopefully, people watch the show and they see that there’s different representations in the church.”

Jessi Ngatikaura clarified that the show is not intended to criticize the church but to share their personal experiences. Ngatikaura said:

“We’re not putting the church down, and it wasn’t our intention to bash it.”

She noted that the show aims to present individual stories rather than generalize about all Mormons.

Comparisons to The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

There have been frequent comparisons between The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, another reality series set in Utah. Demi Engemann pointed out the differences between the two shows, explaining:

“It’s not so much a focus on the drama and the inner workings of the cast, and it’s more like a deep dive into each of our individual lives and what we’ve all gone through as an individual.”

Layla Taylor highlighted that the relationships depicted in The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives are genuine. Taylor said: