Trigger Warning: This article contains a discussion of sexual abuse allegations and eating disorders.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Season 4 did not disappoint. These saints and sinners once again gave us friendship drama, marital issues, and plenty of jaw-dropping moments. And fans expect nothing less from these MomTok divas.
Of course, along with the show’s success, the cast members have been offered incredible opportunities. MomTok founder Taylor Frankie Paul was named as the Season 22 Bachelorette. And both Whitney Leavitt and Jen Affleck were cast on Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars. While neither Jen nor Whitney won the Mirrorball, they did fulfill a long-time dream of waltzing in the ballroom. And their SLOMW co-stars were front and center during the premiere to support their friends.
Still, with the cast following their individual dreams and pursuing business opportunities, the future of MomTok at times seemed shaky. With their fame reaching new heights, some cast members questioned if continuing to be part of this sisterhood was reasonable. Plus, the ladies were keenly aware of how MomTok is perceived and how that can affect their individual businesses and brands.
Who are the MVP’s on SLOMW Season 4?
This season, all the cast members had a turn in the spotlight. Naturally, Taylor was the definition of chaotic. She hooked up with her ex, and baby daddy, Dakota Mortensen, while the cast was in Los Angeles. Viewers weren’t sure why Dakota was there, other than to cause problems for Taylor. He also alleged that they had sex the night before she left to film The Bachelorette. Yikes!
Meanwhile, Jen and Whitney’s friendship imploded due to competition and jealousy, which was exacerbated by DWTS. Plus, Whitney was cast as Roxie Hart in the musical Chicago on Broadway. And Jen’s failure to congratulate her was the last straw for Whitney.
This season, Mayci Neeley, who was juggling being post-partum while going on a book tour for her memoir, Told You So, detailed the pressures that she faced. In addition, Jessi Ngatikaura was still struggling in her marriage with Jordan Ngatikaura. Lordy, it’s been a lot for fans’ favorite influencers.
These ladies’ plates were full, and navigating how to balance their families with their businesses was a recurring theme. However, several cast members stood out this season. Here are the SLOMW Season 4 MVPs.
Mikayla Matthews
During Season 3, Mikayla Matthews shared that she was sexually abused as a child. Viewers saw her in therapy as she worked to heal these traumatic wounds. While her husband, Jace Terry, was supportive of Mikayla, the couple faced intimacy issues.
Following the birth of their fourth child, Lottie, Mikayla developed a flare-up in her health issues. “It’s so incredible that everyone’s getting these opportunities and going out and living their dreams,” Mikayla noted in a confessional, “but my health has held me back from saying yes to a lot of opportunities. It’s definitely discouraging and frustrating, and it kind of holds me back in other places in my life, like my marriage with Jace.”
For Mikayla, prioritizing her health was most important, while Jace hoped that she would continue to deal with her trauma. Later in the season, Mikayla shared, “I’m obviously very attracted to Jace, and I want to be married to him, and it makes me sad that I’m not able to meet his needs.”
In the end, the couple decided to separate so that Mikayla could work on healing. Mikayla’s honesty about her intimacy problems with Jace and her medical issues since giving birth has been inspiring for viewers. Amid all this pressure, Mikayla prioritized herself and her healing, in hopes of eventually reconciling with her husband.
Layla Taylor
Layla Taylor was heartbreakingly vulnerable this season. Viewers saw Layla become official with Mason McWhorter, who is the former brother-in-law of SLOMW cast member Miranda McWhorter. However, Layla and Mason split after filming wrapped.
We also saw Layla take her modeling career to the next level. She interviewed at Ford Models in New York City. Unfortunately, she wasn’t signed.
In a confessional, Layla admitted, “I’ve struggled with body image issues and an eating disorder since I was in high school.” Separating from her husband led her to fall back “into those old habits.” She added, “And I feel like I’ve been battling it for the last four years now, silently.”
During a visit to the spa, Layla revealed that she weighed 99 pounds. “I know that’s it going too far and I’m taking it too far, but like I can’t stop,” she tearfully told Jessi and Miranda. I must confess that I was crying watching this emotional scene.
In addition, Layla had been using GLP-1 weight loss drugs for about a year, and called them “addicting.” In a recent Instagram post, Layla revealed that she is “still in treatment” and has stopped the GLP-1 medication. I feel that Layla should be commended for her vulnerability in sharing her eating disorder struggles and insecurities. She truly earned her MVP status.
Miranda McWhorter
When Miranda joined the show during Season 2, the SLOMW cast feared that she was clout-chasing. As you may recall, Miranda was involved in the soft-swinging scandal with Taylor and their husbands. After she and Taylor made amends, Miranda slowly worked her way back into MomTok.
During Season 4, Miranda came into her own. She started to speak up and worked on her friendships within the group. She became close with Layla, and when Layla revealed her difficulties with her eating disorder, Miranda held her in her arms and comforted her. “I want you to know you do have a family, Layla. We’re here for you, and we love you,” Miranda told her friend.
Meanwhile, when Taylor found out that Miranda’s friend, Shinia Powell, was sleeping with her ex, Dakota, Taylor was furious. Later, when Taylor demanded in a phone conversation with MomTok that Miranda choose between her and Shinia, Miranda held her ground. She refused to throw away her longtime friendship with Shinia over this indiscretion.
In my opinion, Miranda won the prize as the most supportive friend among the MomTok members this season. So, please raise a glass of dirty soda to the SLOMW MVPs of Season 4!
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is available to stream on Hulu.
If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, The Alliance for Eating Disorders provides a fully-staffed helpline at 1-866-662-1235, as well as free, therapist-led support groups.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
TELL US – WHO ARE THE MVPs ON SLOMW SEASON 4?
