Whitney Teases Mormon Wives Spinoff After Taylor Frankie Paul Scandal
Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Whitney Leavitt is stoking spinoff buzz in the wake of costar Taylor Frankie Paul’s scandal, dropping a March 30 TikTok with husband Conner that hints she’s ready for a Leavitt-led series.
If you were wondering whether the chaos around The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives might spin off into something else, Whitney Leavitt seems down to let the speculation breathe. And honestly, given where the main show is sitting right now, a Leavitt-centric chapter might be the least complicated thing on the board.
Whitney Leavitt hears the spinoff chatter
On Monday, March 30, Whitney, 32, posted a TikTok with husband Conner Leavitt, also 32, captioned: 'How it feels knowing y'all want a Leavitt spinoff.' Viewers have been nudging Hulu for a Whitney-and-Conner offshoot ever since production on season 5 hit the brakes.
Why the main show hit pause
Us Weekly confirmed earlier this month that filming is on hiatus while Utah police continue looking into an alleged domestic violence incident involving Taylor Frankie Paul, 31, and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen.
Taylor Frankie Paul: where things stand
Separate from the current investigation, Taylor is on probation for a 2023 arrest tied to another physical altercation with Dakota, 33. She took a plea deal last year, pleading guilty to aggravated assault; in exchange, prosecutors dropped additional counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse with injury, and criminal mischief.
Kids-wise, Taylor shares Indy, 8, and Ocean, 5, with ex-husband Tate Paul, and Ever, 2, with Dakota.
The 2023 incident is the one with the leaked footage: Taylor was seen throwing multiple chairs at Dakota, and one appeared to hit her daughter. After that, ABC pulled the plug on what was supposed to be Taylor's upcoming season of The Bachelorette — yes, you read that right.
'Taylor is very grateful for ABC's support as she prioritizes her family 's safety and security. Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation, and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support and preparing to own and share her story.'
In the meantime, Dakota was granted a temporary protective order against Taylor that also gave him sole custody of Ever.
Meanwhile, another marriage fell apart
Amid the production freeze, Jordan Ngatikaura filed for divorce from Jessi Draper. Jordan, 31, who shares two children with Jessi, 33, told Us he is grateful for their time together and is focused on keeping the split kind, respectful, and centered on the kids feeling supported through the transition.
Jessi addressed it on the Call Her Daddy podcast on Wednesday, March 25, saying she ended the relationship but felt blindsided when Jordan filed first to get the headline. She also said they had agreed to tell their kids together before anything official — and that did not happen.
And because this universe never sleeps, Us later confirmed Jessi kissed costar Miranda McWhorter's ex-husband, Chase McWhorter, at a party. A source chalked it up as not serious.
Where things stand right now
- Whitney & Conner Leavitt (both 32): Winking at the idea of a spinoff via TikTok on March 30.
- The show: Season 5 is paused while Utah police investigate an alleged domestic violence incident involving Taylor and ex Dakota Mortensen.
- Taylor Frankie Paul (31): On probation from a 2023 case with Dakota (33); pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, other charges dismissed. Kids: Indy (8) and Ocean (5) with ex Tate Paul; Ever (2) with Dakota.
- Leaked 2023 footage: Taylor threw chairs at Dakota; one seemed to strike her daughter. ABC canceled what would have been her Bachelorette season afterward.
- Dakota: Has a temporary protective order and sole custody of Ever.
- Jessi Draper (33) & Jordan Ngatikaura (31): He filed for divorce; he says the priority is the kids and keeping it respectful. Jessi says she ended it but he filed first; they had planned to tell the kids together and didn't. She later kissed Miranda McWhorter's ex, Chase McWhorter; source says it's not serious.
So, a Leavitt spinoff?
Fans clearly want it, Whitney is nudging it, and the flagship series is in limbo. If Hulu wants to keep this world on the air while the legal dust settles, following the Leavitts might be the cleanest move they can make right now.