In the digital age, the confluence of reality TV and family vlogging has birthed a peculiar yet disturbingly enticing spectacle: the lives of family vloggers broadcast for millions, merging personal tragedy with public entertainment. The recent Hulu documentary featuring the Franke family serves as a chilling exemplar of this phenomenon, revealing the dark underbelly of…
MomTok is a corner of TikTok that began as a lighthearted community of moms sharing relatable content about motherhood and family life. Over time, it grew into a viral sensation filled with drama, scandals, and captivating personalities. To understand the major players and pivotal moments of MomTok, let’s dive into the key events and meet…
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, formerly known as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, is one of the most recognizable symbols of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or Mormonism. With its polished performances and repertoire spanning hymns, patriotic songs, and classical pieces, the Choir has played a pivotal role in shaping the Church’s…
When The Book of Mormon musical premiered on Broadway in 2011, I was still a devout member of the LDS Church. At the time, the very idea of the musical felt offensive—a blatant attack on God’s chosen people. Growing up Mormon, we’re taught that the world is against us and that criticism of the Church…
Let’s just rip the band-aid off: American Primeval is Netflix’s current #1 show, and for good reason—it’s brutal, gory, and messy, much like the history it’s dramatized. Think The Revenant meets Oregon Trail, but with more blood, fewer dysentery jokes, and a heavy dose of 1857 tension. As an ExMormon with ancestors who crossed the…
Over the past few years, Mormonism has emerged as a fascinating cultural lens in entertainment. From A24’s chilling Hereditary to Hulu’s buzzworthy The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and from Senator Mitt Romney to American Idol’s David Archuleta, the intersection of faith and fame continues to offer compelling stories and unique perspectives worth exploring. How…
Have you ever noticed the sheer number of wildly successful Mormon authors dominating the fantasy and sci-fi genres? From Twilight’s Stephanie Meyer to Mistborn’s Brandon Sanderson, the trend is hard to ignore. And it’s not just a coincidence. As someone who grew up deeply entrenched in the culture of The Church of Jesus Christ of…
I just finished watching Heretic, and wow, this movie feels personal. As someone who once served as a Mormon missionary, I can say with confidence that this film hits differently when you’ve lived the life it depicts (at least the life it depicts in the intro…). So, grab a blueberry candle (trust me, it’s a…
When the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives dropped on Hulu, it immediately grabbed attention, and some even claiming it caused Hulu to crash. I binged it the weekend it came out and, like many others familiar with Mormon culture, I had plenty of thoughts about how this show would portray the infamous MomTok group and…