How Hulu Exploits Latter-day Saint Women

I’ll admit it—I watched Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. What drew me in was a concern: I anticipated an indictment of the faith I love. Hulu seems to have a growing obsession with portraying religious communities in an inaccurate and negative light. While the cheap drone shots of temples every few minutes signaled that familiar intent, what struck me wasn’t an indictment of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—it was a testament to what feels more like Hulu’s tabloid exploitation of young women.

These women, most of whom are in their twenties and navigating the complexities of marriage, motherhood, faith, and unrealistic societal expectations, are the ones on display. They are caught in a world where they’re expected to do it all—be perfect wives, mothers, and individuals in a society that celebrates instant gratification and social validation. I couldn’t help but be reminded of the tired old trope from the 1980s: “Bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan, and never let you forget you’re a man.” But that expectation has evolved into something even more exhausting, where perfection is expected in every post.

As I watched, I found myself endeared to many of the cast members. They are charming women, with aspects of their personalities that are engaging and relatable. In some ways, they are seemingly doing their best to navigate a difficult path. However, I couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being exploited by the very platform that claimed to tell their stories. Hulu has capitalized on their vulnerabilities, creating a narrative that reinforces stereotypes and perpetuates a shallow, sensationalized version of Mormonism. The result is not an honest exploration of faith, as the title would imply—it is nothing but a spectacle.

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