When Jen Affleck told reporters during Dancing With The Stars that "some things resurfaced" between her and fellow contestant Whitney Leavitt, she didn’t just hint at drama—she ignited a firestorm that’s still burning behind the scenes. The tension, which flared during filming for ABC’s hit dance competition in early 2024, has now cast a shadow over Leavitt’s place in the influential social media collective MomTok, leaving fans and insiders wondering whether the rift is temporary—or permanent.
What "Some Things" Really Means
Affleck, a reality star known for her candid online presence and sharp social commentary, offered that cryptic quote in a brief interview with Parade.com journalist Mike Bloom. She didn’t elaborate. No specifics. No names beyond Leavitt. But in the world of reality TV, where every glance, silence, and edited clip is dissected, "some things resurfaced" is a loaded phrase. It suggests old wounds, buried grievances, or perhaps a betrayal that had been quietly simmering since before they even stepped onto the BBC Studios Los Angeles dance floor. Leavitt, meanwhile, has remained silent publicly. That silence speaks volumes. Unlike Affleck, who leans into the spotlight, Leavitt has built her brand on the raw, unfiltered world of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, where authenticity is currency. Season 2 of that show, which wrapped in late 2023, ended with a shocking twist: Leavitt was "being voted"—though the exact nature of the vote remains unclear. Was she voted out? Voted in? Voted on for some controversial behavior? The footage doesn’t say. But the ambiguity alone fueled rumors across fan forums, Reddit threads, and Instagram comment sections.The MomTok Fallout
MomTok isn’t just a hashtag—it’s a powerful ecosystem of mothers who’ve turned their daily lives into viral content, often centered on parenting, faith, and domestic life. Affleck is one of its most vocal members. Leavitt was, until recently, considered a core figure. Now, according to Cosmopolitan.com, her status within the group is "currently unclear." That’s not just gossip—it’s professional limbo. For influencers whose income hinges on brand deals, group collaborations, and follower trust, being sidelined from MomTok could mean losing six-figure sponsorships. The group’s cohesion has always been fragile. It’s built on shared experiences, not contracts. And when two of its most visible members start feuding—especially after being forced into close quarters on a high-pressure show like Dancing With The Stars—the ripple effects are inevitable. Other MomTok creators have posted cryptic stories. One posted a photo of a broken mirror with the caption "some reflections hurt more than others." Another shared a quote from Maya Angelou: "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." No one tagged Leavitt or Affleck. But everyone noticed.
Why This Isn’t Just Reality TV Drama
This isn’t just about two women not getting along. It’s about the invisible labor of online motherhood. Both women built empires by showing their real lives—messy kitchens, tantrums, marital strain, religious doubt. But now, the line between performance and reality has blurred. Are they acting out a conflict for content? Or is this a genuine fracture that could cost them their careers? The stakes are higher than ever. In 2023, MomTok influencers collectively earned an estimated $42 million in brand partnerships, according to industry tracker Influencer Marketing Hub. Leavitt, whose following grew 300% after Season 2 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, was on track to join the top tier. Now, she’s caught between silence and speculation.What’s Next? No One Knows
There’s been no public apology. No mediation. No interview where Leavitt defends herself. Affleck hasn’t posted about the feud since the DWTS finale aired in May 2024. The last time either woman mentioned the other on social media was during a group promo video in March—both smiling, arms linked. That clip has since been deleted. The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) hasn’t commented. Neither has the production team behind Dancing With The Stars. And the producers of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives have confirmed Season 3 is in development—but refused to say whether Leavitt will return. The silence is deafening. And in the attention economy, silence is often mistaken for guilt—or worse, irrelevance.
Background: The Rise and Fracture of MomTok
MomTok emerged in 2021 as a subculture of TikTok and Instagram, where mothers—mostly white, suburban, and often affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—began sharing unfiltered parenting moments. What started as relatable content quickly turned into a media machine. By 2022, brands like Target, Hallmark, and Nestlé were paying top dollar for MomTok takeovers. Leavitt’s candid posts about postpartum depression and her husband’s military deployment drew 2.1 million followers. Affleck, known for her blunt takes on marriage and faith, amassed 1.8 million. But as the group grew, so did the pressure. Critics accused MomTok of performing piety for profit. Some members left, citing burnout. Others were quietly cut after controversial posts. Leavitt’s rumored "vote" in Season 2 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives may have been a response to backlash over her financial disclosures—or perhaps a power play by other cast members. Now, with the DWTS feud, the cracks are widening. And no one’s sure who’s left standing.Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Whitney Leavitt’s MomTok status uncertain?
Leavitt’s standing within MomTok became unclear after Season 2 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives ended with her "being voted"—though the exact outcome remains undisclosed. Combined with her public silence during the DWTS feud and the lack of recent collaborative posts with other MomTok members, insiders believe she may have been sidelined due to controversy or internal conflict. No official statement has been issued.
What did Jen Affleck mean by "some things resurfaced"?
Affleck’s exact words, quoted by Parade.com, suggest unresolved personal issues from before DWTS came to light during filming. Given Leavitt’s prior role in The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and the group’s history of internal tensions, it likely relates to trust, financial transparency, or social media conduct. No further details have been confirmed by either party.
Has either woman spoken publicly since the DWTS finale?
No. Both have avoided direct commentary since the May 2024 finale. Affleck posted a generic thank-you to fans; Leavitt’s last post was a family photo from April 2024. Their social media accounts have been eerily quiet, fueling speculation that their relationship is beyond repair—or that their teams are advising silence to protect brand value.
Could this affect Season 3 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives?
Yes. Production for Season 3 is underway, but Leavitt’s inclusion is unconfirmed. The show’s creators have not released casting details, and sources close to the production say tensions between Leavitt and other cast members have "complicated" logistics. If she’s excluded, it could signal a major shift in the show’s direction—and a loss of one of its most compelling storylines.
Is this feud affecting other MomTok influencers?
Indirectly. Several MomTok creators have deleted posts referencing group events or tagged Affleck and Leavitt together. Brands have paused collaborations with both women, according to three anonymous marketing insiders. The feud has made other influencers wary of public alliances, fearing similar fallout. MomTok’s once-unified front is now fractured.
What’s the long-term impact on reality TV and influencer culture?
This case highlights how personal conflicts in influencer-driven reality TV can collapse professional ecosystems. Unlike traditional celebrity feuds, these disputes involve real income, community trust, and brand loyalty. If MomTok’s internal fractures continue, it could signal the beginning of the end for tightly knit influencer collectives—and push audiences toward more individualized, less curated content.