Hulu’s ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Premieres Friday: Here’s What You Need to Know to Watch It

One of TikTok’s biggest scandals returns — in an epic tale of social media, swinging (yes, This kind) and… The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

Hulu’s new reality show “The Secret Lives of Mormon” premieres Friday, September 6. The show offers a look into the lives of Mormon moms who are part of the app’s “MomTok” community.

The show, which features eight influencers based in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, delves into how the video-sharing platform changed their lives and how the church responded to their videos, as well as the sex scandal that took the app by storm in 2022. Whether you’re up to date with the legends or the term “#MomTok” has you scratching your head, here’s how you can watch the latest drama.

Watch the trailer for “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” on Hulu

But first, is the term “Mormon” actually used or preferred?

Although the term “Mormon” is widely used, it is not preferred by those who actually practice the religion. In 2018, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wrote a statement on how to properly address the church and its members.

“The Lord has impressed upon my mind the significance of the name He has revealed for His Church, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We have a work ahead of us to harmonize with His will. In recent weeks, various Church leaders and departments have taken the necessary steps to do this,” wrote LDS President Russell M. Nelson.

Here’s what they recommend according to their own style guide:

• In the first reference, the full name of the Church was preferred: “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

• When a shortened reference is needed, the terms “Church” or “Church of Jesus Christ” are encouraged. “Restored Church of Jesus Christ” is also accurate.

• When referring to members of the Church, the terms “members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” or “Latter-day Saints” are preferred. It is requested that the term “Mormons” not be used.

Whether the term “Mormon” is offensive is still a matter of debate, even within the church. The term comes from the Book of Mormon, a sacred text published in 1830 by the religion’s founder, Joseph Smith.

What is The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives about?

According to USA TODAY, the series will cover the drama that largely began in 2022, when wildly influential “Mom Tok” influencer Taylor Frankie Paul (who boasts over 4 million followers on TikTok) told viewers that members of her tight-knit group of Mormon friends were engaging in “soft-swinging,” a practice in which couples allegedly shared sexual partners but didn’t go “all the way.”

The result was misfortunes that befell people from all sides: partners separated or divorced, people met, families were broken up, alliances changed, gossip was published on films and lurid details were leaked.

Now, a group of these “#MomTok Mormon Moms” are taking the show from social media to the not-so-small screen with “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.”

“The scandalous world of a group of Mormon influencer moms comes crashing down when they’re caught up in a sex scandal that makes headlines around the world,” Hulu’s synopsis reads. “Now, their sisterhood is shaken to its core. Faith, friendship, and reputation are on the line. Will #MomTok survive and continue to threaten principle, or will this group fall apart?”

When is The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives premiering? How to watch

“The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” premieres Friday, September 6 on Hulu, with all eight episodes being released simultaneously.

The new reality show is available exclusively on the streaming platform. Hulu offers membership options ranging from $7.99 per month to $17.99 per month for its regular streaming service and from $75.99 per month to $89.99 per month for plans with streaming and live TV.

New users can also sign up for a free trial.

Who is in the cast of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives?

• Taylor Frankie Paul: @taylorfrankiepaul on TikTok. Creator of the hashtag #MomTok and the center of a scandal. She was married to Tate Paul and had two children with him before they divorced. She is now dating Dakota Mortensen and has a child with him.

• Demi Engemann: @demilucymay on TikTok. She has one child with her first husband and is now married to Bret Engemann, who is 17 years older than her and has two sons of his own.

• Jennifer Affleck: @jenniferaffleckk ​​​​on TikTok. She is married to Zac Affleck, Ben Affleck’s cousin, and has two children.

• Jessi Ngatikaura: @_justjessiii on TikTok. She is married to Jordan Ngatikaura, has two children and a stepson.

• Layla Taylor: @laylaleannetaylor on TikTok. She has two children and is privately divorced from her husband, potentially due to the scandal.

• Mayci Neeley: @maycineeley on TikTok. She is a mother of two, an IVF advocate, and the wife of Jacob Neeley, the father of her youngest child.

• Mikayla Mathews: @mikaylamatthews on TikTok. She married Jace Terry at 16, then 21, and is the mother of three children.

• Whitney Leavitt: @whitneyleavitt on TikTok. She is a married mother of two, with a third on the way. Her husband, Conner, was infamously caught using Tinder during their marriage

This article originally appeared in the Fort Myers News-Press: ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’: How to Watch and What the Movie Is About