Truth behind swinging scandal centre of ‘messy’ new show that has viewers already hooked

Fans engrossed in a ‘wild’ new reality TV series are all saying the same thing after learning about a shocking ‘swinging scandal’ that initially unfolded on social media.

If you’ve spent time on TikTok, you’ll know the algorithm can work in mysterious ways.

For example, you liked one video promoting easy mothering hacks and suddenly every offering appearing on your For You Page is centred around parenting: welcome to 'MomTok'.

MomTok first exploded in 2020 when a set of Mormon parents - initially consisting of Taylor Frankie Paul, Whitney Leavitt, Mayci Neeley and Mikayla Matthews - began lip-syncing, dancing and producing viral, relatable content together.

However, two years ago the community was rocked by a ‘soft swinging’ scandal that has now become the subject of a Hulu reality series.

On 6 September, an eight-episode show titled The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives began to explore how a handful of Mormon influencers dealt with the fallout of the ‘swinging’ scandal.

However, if this is the first time you’ve heard about the MomTok social media storm, then let us break it down for you.

Who is Taylor Frankie Paul?

Taylor, 30, is one of the original Mormon mothers behind the MomTok explosion.

She was previously married to her husband Tate Paul - who she welcomed two children with - and lived with him in Draper, Utah.

But two years ago she admitted she and Tate would be divorcing after claiming she and her spouse had been engaging in ‘soft swinging’.

Following the chaos, Taylor was later arrested and charged with assault and domestic violence in the presence of a child, as per The Washington Post.

It’s understood she pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in 2023 before the other charges were dismissed.

Taylor Frankie Paul (right) welcomed a son with Dakota (left) earlier this year (Hulu)

What is the ‘soft swinging’ scandal featured on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives?

It’s alleged that Taylor and Tate, as well as some other Salt Lake City-based parents, had once been romantically intimate with one another.

“No one is innocent, everyone has hooked up with everyone,” Taylor claimed during her now-infamous TikTok live.

According to the mum, she and Tate had agreed to get to know other people but promised not to go ‘all the way’ with them.

However, during the confessional video, Taylor admitted she ‘messed up’ and that she did ‘step out of that agreement’.

She revealed she’d fallen in love with one of the husbands she was ‘soft swinging’, later revealing him as her new boyfriend Dakota.

In September 2023, the TikToker announced she was pregnant with Dakota’s son Ever, who arrived in March 2024.

The reality TV show chronicles the fallout from the scandal two years later (Hulu)

What are viewers saying about the ‘soft swinging scandal’?

Following the The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives premiere, fans have been taking to social media to have their say.

“Finally started The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and would just like to thank the state of Utah for consistently delivering deliciously unhinged content,” typed one user of X.

A second commented: “Only 20 minutes into The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives it’s so catty. None of them really like each other, they’re all taking shots at each other. This reminds me of high school and low-key, I’m enjoying it.”

Another viewer penned: “2.5 episodes into Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and there’s already been swinging, divorce, pregnancy, arrests, whippets, and ketamine.”

Someone else wrote: “A marital swinging scandal, aggravated assault charge, a husband with a porn addiction, wives being the primary breadwinners in their marriage and a narcissistic husband with a gambling problem… The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives owes me nothing.”

Episodes of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives are streaming now (Hulu)

Was anyone else on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives involved in ‘soft swinging’?

According to Taylor, soft swinging wasn’t uncommon within a particular MomTok friendship group.

However, People reports that she claimed the ‘majority’ were not involved in the practice.

On 6 September, reality TV fans were officially introduced to Taylor, Mayci, Mikayla and Whitney, as well as other prominent MomTokers Jennifer Affleck, Demi Engemann, Jessi Ngatikaura and Layla Taylor.

Demi, 30, has used the series to claim she was at swinging parties but was unaware of what was going on while Whitney, 31, has categorically denied being part of the group.

Jessi, 32 and Jennifer, 25, used The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives premiere to also deny having any involvement in the scandal, while Layla, 23, Mayci, 29, and Mikayla, 24, echoed similar sentiments.

You can watch The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives on Disney and Hulu now.