A Comprehensive Guide to the Mormon Moms of MomTok
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 influencers behind it all.
You can watch my full analysis of season one:
The Key Events of MomTok Drama to be Familiar With
The Beginning of MomTok
MomTok began with Taylor Frankie Paul, Miranda McWhorter, and Camille Munday, three Mormon moms who became TikTok sensations through playful videos celebrating motherhood and their close-knit friendship. Their content often featured recurring jokes about being “sister wives”—a playful nod to polygamy in Mormon history—swingers, and Taylor pretending to be a “50-year-old mom” to Miranda and Camille.
The group quickly gained a loyal following, with fans drawn to their humor, glamorous lifestyles, and relatable portrayals of motherhood. However, cracks in the group’s seemingly perfect image began to show when Taylor announced her divorce, setting the stage for the drama that would soon consume MomTok.
Whitney’s Viral RSV Dance
As the MomTok community expanded, other Mormon moms, like Whitney Leavitt, joined the group. Whitney went viral after posting a TikTok from the ICU updating viewers about her baby’s RSV diagnosis—a potentially fatal respiratory illness in infants.
In the video, Whitney danced energetically while text on the screen explained her baby’s condition. Many viewers were unsettled by the contrast of a mother dancing while her child was visibly ill in the background. Critics accused Whitney of prioritizing social media over her child’s well-being, with some even calling the video exploitative. The controversy sparked heated debates about the balance between sharing personal lives online and maintaining privacy during sensitive moments.
The Soft-Swinging Scandal
MomTok reached new levels of notoriety when Taylor Frankie Paul announced her divorce from Tate Paul and revealed during a TikTok Live that their friend group had been involved in “soft swinging.” Taylor described this as couples engaging in intimate activities with others, provided their spouses were present—actions that are highly taboo in Mormon culture, which strictly prohibits extramarital intimacy.
Taylor admitted she had broken the group’s rules by fully sleeping with another husband, triggering widespread fallout. Though she didn’t name names, fans speculated that Miranda and her husband, Chase, were involved, largely due to the unexplained falling out between Taylor and Miranda. The speculation was fueled further when Miranda and Chase later divorced, citing incompatibility and pressure from their Mormon upbringing. The scandal shattered MomTok’s image as a wholesome community, turning it into a lightning rod for controversy.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
After the scandal, Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives offered a reality TV lens into the world of MomTok. Taylor was cast as a central figure, but filming hit a major roadblock after she was arrested for a domestic violence incident, delaying production.
With Miranda and Camille reportedly declining to join the show, Hulu filled the cast with other Utah Mormon influencers, including Whitney, Mikayla, Mayci, Jen, Demi, Jessi, and Layla. The series divided the cast into two groups: the “Saints,” who adhered more closely to Mormon values, and the “Sinners,” who had distanced themselves from the faith or embraced a more rebellious lifestyle. The show sought to explore the lives and relationships of these women but couldn’t escape the shadow of Taylor’s scandal. The series reignited interest in the community and its drama, offering fans an inside look at the fallout from MomTok’s rise and fall.
The Moms of MomTok
Taylor Frankie Paul
TikTok: @taylorfrankiepaul
Instagram: @taylorfrankiepaul
Family
- Ex-Husband: Tate Paul
- Ex-Boyfriend: Dakota Mortensen
- Number of Children: 3
Details
- Born May 23, 1994 (30 years old)
- Less-active Mormon
- One of the “Sinners” in The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
Key Moments
- Founded MomTok with Miranda and Camille
- Divorced from Tate Paul and exposed the MomTok group’s “soft swinging” activities
- Joined The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives before being arrested after a domestic violence incident which postponed the show
Miranda McWhorter
TikTok: @miranda__mcw
Instagram: @miranda__mcw
Family
- Ex-Husband: Chase McWhorter
- Number of Children: 2
Details
- Born April 19, 1998 (26 years old)
- Did not appear on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
Key Moments
- One of the original MomTok founders with Taylor and Camille
- Speculated to have been involved in the “soft-swinging” scandal, though she denied it
- Divorced Chase McWhorter amidst rumors of their participation in the scandal
- Publicly distanced herself from Taylor Frankie Paul after the fallout
Camille Munday
TikTok: @camille_munday
Instagram: @camille_munday
Family
- Husband: Sam Munday
- Number of Children: 3
Details
- Born November 7, 1995 (28 years old)
- Active Mormon
- Did not appear on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
Key Moments
- One of the original MomTok founders with Taylor and Miranda
- Not involved in the “soft-swinging” scandal, according to Taylor, as they were “too much drama”
- Publicly distanced herself from Taylor Frankie Paul after the scandal
- Allegedly declined to join The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
Whitney Leavitt
TikTok: @whitneyleavitt
Instagram: @whitleavitt
Family
- Husband: Conner Leavitt
- Number of Children: 3
Details
- Born: May 12, 1993 (31 years old)
- Active Mormon
- Appeared on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives as one of the “Saints”
Key Moments
- Viral TikTok dancing in the ICU while discussing her child’s RSV diagnosis, criticized as exploitative and insensitive
- Portrayed as the “villain” of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives for instigating drama and judging others
- Criticized for staying with her husband, Conner, after allegations of his Tinder account during the MomTok scandal
- Frequent clashes with castmates, particularly Taylor Frankie Paul and Demi
- Subject of speculation from viewers who believe her husband, Conner, may be closeted gay, a rumor fueled by his behavior and allegations surrounding his Tinder activity
Mikayla Matthews
TikTok: @mikayla__matt
Instagram: @mikayla__matt
Family
- Husband: Jace Terry
- Number of Children: 3
Details
- Born: March 17, 2000 (24 years old)
- Active Mormon
- Appeared on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives as one of the “Saints”
Key Moments
- Became a mother at 16, highlighting the pressures within the Mormon community to marry and start families young
- Openly shares her journey through motherhood and empowers other women through theirs
- Faces challenges with an undiagnosed chronic illness, impacting her daily life and participation in the show
- Maintains a significant social media presence, with nearly 3 million followers on TikTok, where she shares snippets of her daily life and family experiences
Mayci Neeley
TikTok: @maycineeley
Instagram: @maycineeley
Family
- Husband: Jacob Neeley
- Number of Children: 2
Details
- Born: February 23, 1995 (29 years old)
- Active Mormon
- Appeared on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives as one of the “Saints”
Key Moments
- Experienced tragedy at 19 when her boyfriend died in a car crash while she was 14 weeks pregnant
- Raised her first child as a single mother, balancing motherhood with completing her college education and tennis career
- Married Jacob Neeley after college; the couple has a blended family and underwent IVF to have their daughter
- Founded Baby Mama, a natal nutrition company, and shares her IVF journey and family life on social media
- Addresses online criticism about her faith, openly discussing her commitment to Mormonism and responding to claims that she isn’t “Mormon enough”
Jen Affleck
TikTok: @jenniferaffleckk
Instagram: @jenniferlaffleck
Family
- Husband: Zac Affleck
- Number of Children: 2
Details
- Born: May 29, 1999 (25 years old)
- Active Mormon
- Appeared on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives as one of the “Saints”
Key Moments
- Despite Zac having a gambling addiction which conflicts with Mormon values, he is constantly critical of Jen and her social media career
- Faced criticism and a divorce threat from Zac after attending a party where others visited a Chippendales performance, even though she did not participate
- Zac’s family has repeatedly defended him and blamed Jen for all the criticism he and his family have faced since the show aired
- Zac forced a move to New York for his schooling despite Jen’s growing career success, which viewers see as controlling and isolating Jen from others
Demi Engemann
TikTok: @demilucymay_
Instagram: @demilucymay
Family
- Ex-Husband: Blake Corbin
- Husband: Bret Engemann
- Number of Children: 3
Details
- Born: August 3, 1994 (30 years old)
- Openly critical of the church
- Appeared on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives as one of the “Sinners”
Key Moments
- Divorced her first husband, Blake Corbin, in 2020 after five years of marriage
- Remarried in 2021 to Bret Engemann, 16 years her senior, whom she first met at age 9 when he was 25
- Outspoken critic of the Mormon Church, particularly regarding its treatment of women and the pressures it places on young marriages
- Frequently clashed with Whitney on the show but viewers tended to side with Demi’s candidness and openness
Whitney escalated tensions by revealing that Demi called Taylor “white trash,” prompting Demi to own up to it and apologize directly to Taylor
Whitney publicly exposed a private story Demi shared about a sex practice involving Fruity Pebbles by gifting her the cereal in front of everyone
Jessi Ngatikaura
TikTok: @_justjessiiii
Instagram: @_justjessiiii
Family
- Husband: Jordan Ngatikaura
- Number of Children: 3
Details
- Born: May 25, 1992 (32 years old)
- Ex-Mormon
- Appeared on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives as one of the “Sinners”
Key Moments
- Founded JZ Styles, a Utah-based hair salon, and launched a hair extension line and styling school
- Gained viral attention for a billboard promoting JZ Styles that was misread as “jizz hair everywhere,” leading to widespread online discussion
- Openly discusses her departure from the Mormon Church and the impact on her personal and professional life
- Known for her candid discussions about drinking alcohol, challenging traditional Mormon norms
- Referred to herself as the “grandma of the group” on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, reflecting her nurturing role among the cast
Layla Taylor
TikTok: @layla.taylor
Instagram: @layla.taylor
Family
- Ex-Husband: Clayton Wessel
- Number of Children: 2
Details
- Born: March 12, 2001 (23 years old)
- Inactive Mormon
- Appeared on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives as one of the “Sinners”
- Youngest cast member
Key Moments
- Married at 18 and divorced by 22, citing repressive gender roles and lack of fulfillment
- Revealed she never experienced an orgasm during her entire marriage, sparking discussions on sexual repression in Mormonism
- Celebrated her divorce with a party on the reality show, embracing her new chapter as a single mother of two
- Frequently critical of Mormonism, highlighting the pressures placed on young women to marry and serve men’s desires
Conclusion
MomTok started as a lighthearted space showcasing motherhood but quickly became a viral phenomenon marked by scandal and drama. From Taylor Frankie Paul’s “soft swinging” revelations to Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, the community has spotlighted the clash between modern social media, traditional Mormon values, and personal authenticity.
Through its rise and fall, MomTok offers a lens into the pressures of motherhood, faith, and online fame, proving it’s more than just a fleeting trend—it’s a cultural phenomenon.
