The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives just landed its first Emmy nomination July 15, 2025 – and with 5 million views in 5 days for Season 2, Hulu’s reality gamble paid off bigger than anyone expected.
Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Scores Emmy Nod July 15 Against Netflix Giants
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The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives grabbed its first Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program category July 15, competing against heavyweights like Netflix’s America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and Love on the Spectrum. The Hulu series about Mormon mom influencers behind the #MomTok hashtag now faces off against RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked and two-time winner Welcome to Wrexham.
The nomination timing couldn’t be better. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives became Hulu’s most-watched unscripted season premiere of 2024 when it dropped Sept. 6, hitting No. 7 on Nielsen streaming ratings. Season 2’s May 15, 2025 premiere pulled 5 million views in its first 5 days globally across Disney Plus and Hulu – beating Season 1’s debut numbers.
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The show follows Taylor Frankie Paul, Demi Engemann, Jen Affleck, Jessi Ngatikaura, Layla Taylor, Mayci Neeley, Mikayla Matthews, Miranda McWhorter, and Whitney Leavitt as they navigate the fallout from a “soft swinging” scandal that made international headlines in 2022. The group gained notoriety when Taylor Frankie Paul exposed the scandal involving herself and other MomTok members.
Why Reality TV Voters Care More Than Scripted Emmy Judges About MomTok Drama
Emmy voters rewarded The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives for what mainstream reality television typically ignores – raw authenticity wrapped in scandal. The unstructured reality category has historically favored lifestyle docuseries that break through culturally, following the path Vanderpump Rules carved when it earned its Emmy nod.
Rob Mills, Disney’s executive VP of unscripted and alternative entertainment, explained what made the show undeniable to voters beyond just viewership numbers. The series launched Season 2 right when Emmy voting started, creating perfect timing momentum.
“I do think it shows that people took the time to watch this show. There was a lot of craftsmanship here, not only in the actual show, but the fact that it had a theme song that people were humming,” — Rob Mills, Disney executive VP.
Lock These 4 Mormon Wives Milestones Before Nov 13 Season 3 Drop
Season 3 hits Hulu Nov. 13, 2025 with all 10 episodes dropping simultaneously. Here’s what you need to do before the binge begins.
| Step | Detail | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Watch Season 2 reunion special hosted by Nick Viall on Hulu | Now |
| 2 | Check which cast members joined Dancing with the Stars fall season | Oct. 15 |
| 3 | Follow Taylor Frankie Paul and Whitney Leavitt for Season 3 teasers | Oct. 31 |
| 4 | Add Mormon Wives Season 3 to My List before binge drop | Nov. 13 |
Watch For These 4 Signals Before Sept 28 As Emmy Voting Closes
The 77th Emmy Awards ceremony airs live Sept. 28, 2025 with host Nate Bargatze. Four key indicators will tell you whether The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives can upset two-time defending champion Welcome to Wrexham.
Social media momentum on X and TikTok during the week of Sept. 20-27 becomes critical. If #MomTok mentions spike above 250K during Emmy week, that signals grassroots support translating to voter enthusiasm.
Season 3 premiere timing on Nov. 13 could influence post-ceremony buzz. If the show wins Sept. 28 and capitalizes with fresh episodes 6 weeks later, that momentum compounds into 2026 Emmy consideration.
Trade publication coverage intensity tells the story. Watch whether Variety, Deadline, and The Hollywood Reporter run multiple Emmy prediction pieces featuring Mormon Wives as a dark horse contender before Sept. 20.
The 20-episode renewal announced Oct. 3, 2024 signals Hulu’s long-term commitment. If viewership for Season 3 matches or exceeds Season 2’s 5 million in 5 days, expect the show to dominate unstructured reality conversations through 2026.
Will Welcome to Wrexham or Mormon Wives Win Emmy Voters’ Hearts First?
Welcome to Wrexham won the Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program category the past 2 years running. The Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds-led show earned 3 Emmy nominations total this year, including sound mixing and picture editing nods.
But The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives represents something Welcome to Wrexham doesn’t – zeitgeist-level cultural penetration among younger demographics who drive streaming viewership. Disney’s Mills noted the show became “totally in the zeitgeist” throughout 2024 and into 2025, a rare achievement for unscripted lifestyle television.
Which show captures Emmy voters’ attention when ballots close before Sept. 28 – the feel-good sports underdog story or the scandal-driven reality phenomenon that reinvigorated Hulu’s unscripted slate?
SOURCES
- https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/secret-lives-of-mormon-wives-emmy-nomination-1236315942/
- https://deadline.com/2025/07/the-secret-lives-of-mormon-wives-emmys-nomination-outstanding-unstructured-reality-program-1236457871/
- https://variety.com/2025/tv/awards/how-the-secret-lives-of-mormon-wives-got-emmy-nomination-1236493661/
Daniel Harris is a specialist journalist focused on the crossroads of breaking news, extraordinary history, and enduring legends. With a background in historical research and storytelling, he blends timely reporting with timeless narratives, making complex events and ancient myths resonate with today’s readers. Daniel’s work often uncovers surprising links between present-day headlines and legendary tales, offering unique perspectives that captivate diverse audiences. Beyond reporting, he is passionate about preserving oral traditions and exploring how extraordinary stories continue to shape culture and identity.
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