Utah swinging sex scandal gets a Hulu docuseries
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A new Hulu docuseries called "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" will focus on the 2022 swinging sex scandal involving suburban influencer moms in Utah.
The big picture: The viral swingers drama of 2022 emerged when influencer Taylor Frankie Paul, of Draper, posted a TikTok about getting a divorce after she "stepped out" of the boundaries of her open marriage with her friend's husband.
- Paul faced legal trouble in 2023 after allegedly assaulting her boyfriend, and later pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, KSL.com reported.
State of play: The show will follow Paul, as well as seven other influencer moms.
- "The scandalous world of a group of Mormon mom influencers implodes when they get caught in the midst of a swinging sex scandal that makes international headlines," a synopsis of the show reads, per Vulture. "Now, their sisterhood is shook to its core. Faith, friendship and reputations are all on the line."
- The series comes as polyamory and ethical non-monogamy are becoming more mainstream in Utah.
Zoom in: The kink-positive dating app Feeld saw the number of Salt Lake area profiles with the terms "ethically nonmonogamous" or "polyamorous" surge in the past three years, according to data the company shared with Axios earlier this year.
Between the lines: Utah, where the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is headquartered, is well-known for its history of plural marriages.
- The practice was eventually denounced by Latter-day Saint church leaders, but it is still practiced in some other Mormon sects.
The other side: Crime documentaries and reality TV shows centered around Mormonism, like "Murder Among the Mormons," "Sister Wives" and "The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" have been plentiful over the past several years.
- Yes, but: Critics say Latter-day Saints in the media are inaccurately portrayed as polygamous, religious extremists or upstanding citizens.
How to watch: "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" premieres Sept. 6 on Hulu, with all six episodes dropping at once.
