Demi Engemann and Layla Taylor Open Up About Relationships, Sex and Regrets

Half Engemann and Layla Taylor examined their conscience before making their decision join This The Secret Lives of Mormon WivesHulu’s new reality show centered on #MomTok influencers who connected the dots after investigating the Taylor Frankie Paul sex scandal.

For For Engemann, 30, that meant putting her marriage to Bret and their patchwork family under a bigger microscope. There was some backlash when she spoke of meeting Bret when he was 26 and she was 10. At the time of filming, Wessel was divorced, having married at 19. The youngest of the group, at 23, is entering a new phase of her life as a single mother.

Here, the ladies talk about the changing perceptions of Mormonism and the drama that’s unfolded this season.

Was it difficult to decide to appear on this show?

Layla Taylor: I think you definitely weigh the pros and cons. I think it’s definitely intimidating to put your whole life on display on a reality show. Especially coming from a social media background where everything we put out there is something we have control over, because of what we put out there. Losing that control is a scary thing, but for me the pros definitely outweigh the cons. Being able to provide for my kids as a single mom is really important to me. I knew that this show would give me a lot of opportunities. I think that was one of the things that inspired me to do it.

Demi Engemann: For me, it was something that I thought about a lot with my husband. I prayed about it. It was a big decision. Social media in general, I took a step back and thought about whether it was good for me. Especially when I think about my daughter growing up and knowing what the world can be like. How cruel it can be. How much is there to worry about, especially technology? All of that is something I don’t take lightly. I wanted to be very deliberate as I went along to make sure that I was protecting myself and my family, and making sure that we were all comfortable and in agreement with what was happening. It’s something that’s fun, and hope brings possibilities. At the same time, it’s definitely not an easy decision.

Layla, how do you feel being single in a group?

Layla: It was hard. When we started filming, I had been separated from my ex for about three months. It was still very fresh emotionally. I love the fact that I’m a single mom on the show, I feel like especially in the church there’s a lot of divorce. Especially because in our culture we get married very young. I hope that me being a single mom inspires another single mom or dad that it’s okay. You still have a place here.

Demi, when it comes to your marriage, your age difference is a hot topic of conversation. How does it feel to have your relationship with Bret under so much scrutiny, especially coming into a reality show?

Demi: It’s weird because sometimes I’ll lie in bed and think, “Oh my God, when I’m this age, he’ll be this age.” And then most of the time it doesn’t feel like we have an age difference. It’s interesting. I think the more interesting dynamic is that my stepchildren and I are closer in age than my husband and I are. It makes for some funny and awkward conversations. It’s an interesting dynamic that we learn as we go along.

Layla, you’re getting a tattoo this season. How do you like showing different sides?

Layla: I think your faith journey is personal to you. It’s really a relationship between you and God. The decisions you make may not be perfectly aligned with the values ​​of the church. That’s okay. I’m open about having tattoos, having a drink once, and having premarital sex. Those are things that the church doesn’t necessarily like. At the same time, I’m human. I make mistakes, and I don’t think you have to choose. I think there’s a middle ground.

Demi, do you regret taking part in the “Truth Box” game you’ll play with the girls?

Demi: My initial response and my knee-jerk reaction was yes. It probably wasn’t the wisest decision, given that emotions were running high and high. I knew there was tension in the group. For me, I pride myself on being super intentional, as you’ll probably hear me say a hundred times on the show. I thought it would open up an opportunity to talk about things that were maybe bothering people. It did, so I can’t say I regret it in that sense, because I feel like the relationships got stronger and the difficult conversations that were necessary and needed to happen. So now I think no. Hindsight is 20-20. Maybe it wasn’t the best place to do it and have those conversations, but ultimately, we’re where we are. We did it.

Taylor and Whitney (Leavitt) are at the center of what becomes a division within the group. Do you think the true colors of the people came out during filming?

Layla: I think with the cameras on, some of the personalities came out stronger. We definitely saw sides of people that were previously hidden. I think honestly everyone’s relationships end or are where they need to be. I think everything happened for a reason.

What impression do you want to convey to viewers after watching the film?

Demi: I just want people to enjoy it. It’s fun and enjoyable. It’s reality TV. Sometimes it can be light and funny, but I think we all have incredibly unique stories to tell. I hope people are inspired and empowered. I hope they see that sometimes you can go through hardships and still be happy and still find your relationship with God and have faith. You can find your place in religion, even if you haven’t in the past. I hope they walk away feeling like they’re good enough.

Layla, are you still single or are you open to contact with someone who writes to you in private?

Layla: I’m currently exclusive with someone. Unfortunately, my DMs are closed at the moment. But we’ll see. Time will tell.

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives premieres September 6, Hulu