Summary

Jessi Ngatikaura and Layla Taylor are two of the breakout stars of the massively popular The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, bringing openness and authenticity to the show.

The two discuss crossing over with Vanderpump Villa and whether they’d ever do the same with The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.

They reflect on Season 1’s viral success and tease the drama in Season 2.

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives took the world by storm when it premiered last fall. Following eight Utah-based moms who skyrocketed to fame by collaborating on TikTok, the show peels back the layers of traditional Mormon culture — and digs into a juicy swinging scandal to boot. From friendship drama to marital conflicts, there is never a dull moment on the show, which is why it’s no surprise the show became the most-watched unscripted premiere in all of 2024.
Two of the women who helped make that happen are Jessi Ngatikaura and Layla Taylor. Both deemed as “sinners” of the group for not adhering to Mormon rules, the two are refreshingly open about sex (in Season 1, Ngatikaura discussed having a labiaplasty, while Taylor shares she’s never had an orgasm), as well as their complicated relationships with their faith. Edgy and raunchy? Sure. But they’re also groundbreaking, empowering conversations — especially in the conservative environment in which they live.
Collider got the chance to speak to Ngatikaura and Taylor about their experience on Vanderpump Villa, whether they’d ever do a crossover with The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, the massive response to Season 1, and more.
‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Stars Talk Appearing on ‘Vanderpump Villa’ and a Potential ‘The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’ Crossover

Image via Hulu

I was very excited to hear that you guys were going to be on Vanderpump Villa this season. I’m so curious, were you a Lisa Vanderpump fan going in? What did you expect, and what was that experience like?
JESSI NGATIKAURA: Yes, I was. I love reality TV, so I was really excited to meet Lisa. She was like my business idol.
LAYLA TAYLOR: I wasn’t too familiar with her, but I know her from when she was on Housewives. It was really cool to be able to meet and interact with her.
Speaking of the Housewives, there’s a very obvious potential crossover with the Salt Lake City ones. How would you feel about a potential crossover with them?
NGATIKAURA: I feel like they yell at each other more than we do. [Laughs]
TAYLOR: It might be a little scary but fun.
NGATIKAURA: We know them, and they’re so nice.
Are you close with one of them, in particular?
NGATIKAURA: Britani [Bateman], who was new last season, I do her hair. She comes to my salon, so we always exchange reality stories. It’s good to have someone in the industry who can relate.
TAYLOR: I don’t know any of them. I knew Monica, who’s not on it anymore.
NGATIKAURA: Infamous Monica.
TAYLOR: Yeah.
‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Stars Tease Season 2 Drama

Image via Hulu

Season 1 was filled with some heartwarming moments, but there was definitely a lot of conflict. I’m curious if you can tease some more of the drama that we might be dealing with in Season 2.
NGATIKAURA: Oh my gosh. In the trailer, you see sirens, so that’s always going to be dramatic. I would say just a lot of different dynamics within the group. I think that any girl who has a big friend group can relate to the ups and the downs, so I think people watching it are really going to resonate with that.
TAYLOR: No, for sure. I think that there are a bunch of friendship dynamics that have ebbs and flows. Friendships aren’t linear, so I think it’s cool to be able to present that.
This show went so viral so quickly. I’m curious what it is about it that you think got people so invested so fast.
TAYLOR: I think that we all have genuine friendships. I feel like an audience can spot when it’s not genuine, real friendships at the end of the way, and it’s cool to have like a group where we’re all actually close.
NGATIKAURA: Yeah. And obviously, the swinging got people interested. [Laughs] But they stayed for the culture of Utah and the friendships and all of that.
Absolutely. I love Utah. I went there for Sundance, and it’s the best.
NGATIKAURA: No way! Yeah, Sundance is always the best.
I’m so sad about it leaving.
NGATIKAURA: Me, too! We’re so sad.
I can only imagine that being on reality TV is a unique experience. What did you learn about yourself and maybe your friend group watching Season 1?
NGATIKAURA: Oh gosh. That we can be a little unhinged together. There are so many deleted scenes that we’re like, “Oh, good thing that didn’t make it.” When we get together as friends, we’re so unhinged and crazy, and it’s so fun to watch that back, but also, I’m like, “Oh, like we have no filter.”
TAYLOR: We’re just fun. We’re a good time.
NGATIKAURA: We are a good time.
‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Lives’ Stars Reflect on the Show’s Viral Success

Image via Hulu

There is, I’m sure, a lot of pressure knowing how many eyes are on you. How do you balance your personal beliefs and personal lives with this very public persona?
NGATIKAURA: I think you have to remember that you are entertainment for people, so even though it’s your real life, there’s still an element of it that is a job. But it is hard because, being on reality, you can’t really have secrets. Your life gets exposed, and you have to be okay with that going into it. I’m just happy that we can be inspirational to other women and share the ups and the downs, the good and the bad. It’s real life, so I think people will resonate.
TAYLOR: For sure. We show a lot of hard parts of our lives, but I think it’s cool to show that it’s not all perfect, and we all have our own moments, and we’re human. I feel like that’s good to show.
Finally, kind of branching off of that, I’m sure there has been a positive reception and that you’ve touched and impacted people who might feel alone in certain things. Has there been a most memorable fan interaction or a response that you’ve had?
NGATIKAURA: This is kind of funny, but I got a labiaplasty Season 1, and I’ve had so many women actually reach out to me and be like, “I didn’t know what that was, and I got it now, and it changed my life.” And I’m like, “Amazing! I’m glad I can help!”
I love it. The spokesperson.
NGATIKAURA: Yes, for labias everywhere!
TAYLOR: I think mine, I kind of dug in more to my mental health journey after Season 1 came out, so I think having women reach out to me and say that they’ve experienced similar.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Season 2 premieres May 15 on Hulu.

Watch on Hulu