Trigger Warning: This article contains a discussion of sexual assault allegations.
Season 3 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives gifted all of us saints and sinners a spectacular season. Taylor Frankie Paul ended her relationship with baby daddy Dakota Mortensen amid another lying and cheating scandal. Plus, Jessi Ngatikaura took a lie detector test to prove that she never had sex with Vanderpump Villa’s former server, Marciano Brunette. However, he claimed that he and Demi Engemann kissed on the lips in Italy, while she alleged that she was the victim of “unwanted touch.”
So, of course, viewers deserved an equally amazing reunion. For Season 3, Vanderpump Villa star Stassi Schroeder hosted the special. During the Season 2 SLOMW reunion, Bachelor alum Nick Viall took on hosting duties. However, some of the Mormon wives weren’t feeling his vibe. Adding Stassi into the mix was a great decision for several reasons. So, let’s mix up a dirty soda and take a look at why Stassi was the perfect host for the SLOMW Season 3 reunion.
Replacing Nick Viall with Stassi Schroeder was a great move for Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
As you may recall, Stassi got her start on Vanderpump Rules, displaying her toxic romance with Jax Taylor. Jax’s lies and cheating, along with Stassi’s infamous birthday tantrums, were iconic moments in VPR history. Stassi could be the devil, and we will never forget it.
However, a grown-up Stassi joined Lisa Vanderpump, her former boss at SUR, for Season 2 of Vanderpump Villa. Stassi, her husband, Beau Clark, and their two children moved to Castello Rosato in Italy for the summer. And when it was time for the reunion, Stassi was given the role of co-host, along with Lisa. And she did a great job keeping the boisterous staff in check.
While Nick was a fan of SLOMW, Stassi was not only a fan, but she also met some of the cast. Stassi saw Jessi, Demi, Mikayla Matthews, Layla Taylor, and Jen Affleck in action when they visited the castle. Let’s not forget, she was there when Demi and Marciano started flirting with each other.
So, having Stassi host the reunion feels organic. And she can definitely relate to their struggles and tribulations as a young, female reality star. Replacing Nick with Stassi was a no-brainer, and she brought her own Stassi sparkle to the proceedings.
Some SLOMW cast members were unhappy with Nick Viall’s questions
Nick was one persistent host! He wasn’t afraid to ask tough questions, even if it was awkward. And if a cast member tried to wiggle out of answering, he kept pushing for a response. Of course, his style did rub some SLOMW cast members the wrong way. Hello Whitney Leavitt!
For example, Nick asked Whitney if she felt that she was better at being accountable for her actions than Taylor. “No, I don’t think that I’m the one to judge that,” the Dancing with the Stars alum replied.
“I’m not asking you to judge it,” Nick said. “I’m asking you what you think.” So, Nick took a poll, revealing that only Miranda McWhorter believed that Whitney took accountability for her actions. “It’s so double standard,” Whitney fired back at Nick. She also claimed that she was repeatedly “being called out” by the host, who denied targeting Whitney.
Stassi Schroeder’s reunion vibe fit with the SLOMW cast
Stassi opened the show with an amusing welcome message, which was intercut with upcoming reunion moments. “The holidays are a time for joy. For celebration. To leave the room,” Stassi said with a bright, merry smile. “To fah-la-la-la lose your f*cking mind. Merry MomTok Christmas!”
This spirit seems much more in line with the ladies’ personalities than Nick’s more serious approach. However, heavy topics were discussed, including sexual abuse and rape. And Stassi handled these topics with compassion and sensitivity.
Still, it was clear that Stassi was running the show. Demi and her husband, Bret Engemann, were snarled in a fiery argument with Jen and her husband, Zac Affleck. The foursome became heated about the allegations involving Demi and Marciano.
It was clear that there wouldn’t be any resolution, and even though the group didn’t want to change topics, Stassi skillfully did so. She kept the reunion moving, although I have a feeling a lot of the footage is still on the cutting room floor. We need a longer reunion for Season 4, Hulu! Plus, she called out Dakota for asking that MomTok members be removed from the stage, then adding zero to the reunion.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives cast members related to Stassi
Overall, even with the tension in the room, the MomTok members seemed more at ease during this reunion. Of course, Stassi went and saw the ladies while they were prepping in the dressing room. Cover your ears, Nick. “I am so glad it is you because I know you are totally unbiased,” Jen told Stassi.
“Thank you!” Stassi responded. “Well, I have been in your shoes!” After all, Stassi was a veteran of being in the hot seat at Pump Rules reunions.
At the beginning of the Season 3 reunion, Stassi explained why she was happy to be there. “Ladies, I am dazzled. I’m delighted to be a part of this,” she said. “Not just because I’m a huge fan, but because, like, I have been exactly in your shoes.”
Stassi added, “I’ve dated the bad boy, argued allegations, had the fallouts, and managed the fame.” All of these issues were addressed this season in SLOMW. Overall, Hulu couldn’t have picked a better host for the Season 3 reunion. Stassi felt like a member of the crew, which led to a more authentic reunion.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is available to stream on Hulu.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or access RAINN’s online chat service.
TELL US – WAS STASSI THE PERFECT HOST FOR THE SEASON 3 SLOMW REUNION?
