Why Whitney Leavitt Has “No Shame” About Using MomTok to Get on DWTS

Whitney Leavitt is going to dance to her own tune.

Recent episodes of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives show rising conflict between Whitney and the other moms in her online group, including Dancing With the Stars contestant Jen Affleck. The tension comes after Whitney is accused of coming back to the show only to pursue a spot on the ABC dance competition.

It’s an assumption Whitney will happily own up to.

I did take a break from the show after last season, but I stayed involved with the MomTok community. I never really left that group – I just needed some time off. Then I found out someone from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives might be on Dancing With the Stars, and that made me want to come back and participate again.

The 32-year-old was worried about returning because she feared she wouldn’t be welcomed back by the group, which includes her costars Taylor Frankie Paul and Jessi Ngatikaura. Earlier in the season, during a birthday gathering, she confessed to feeling like she was met with unfriendly behavior.

Honestly, when she said she didn’t want to return, my heart dropped. But then… Dancing With the Stars?! I knew she’d be amazing! She admitted it was a huge draw, something she really wanted, and she’s going for it! And she’s SO right – there’s absolutely no shame in chasing a dream like that. I’m so proud of her for going after it, even if it meant coming back. It’s just… perfect.

Whitney’s comeback to the show Sister Wives worried some people, especially because Jen—who would later be her competitor on Dancing with the Stars—was watching closely.

You know, as someone who’s observed a lot of dynamics, I’m starting to feel like Whitney’s motivations are pretty self-serving. Honestly, I’m not sure she ever truly valued our friendships. It’s especially frustrating because I’ve always been open about my dreams – I even told her right away how much I’ve wanted to be on Dancing With the Stars. And the moment she saw a potential opportunity for herself, suddenly she had always dreamed of it too. It just feels disingenuous, and it’s hard to build real connections when that happens.

Whitney felt hurt and unwelcome when her friends in the MomTok group didn’t seem happy to have her back.

She later explained that ‘MomTok’—the online community of moms—is essentially a business, not a supportive sisterhood as some portray it. She acknowledged that people in the community are primarily focused on their own interests, not on genuinely caring for others, and vowed to prioritize her own well-being moving forward.

For more on the season three cast of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, read on.