She had moved to another part of Utah, created some physical and emotional distance from the cast, and insisted she hadn’t abandoned MomTok — the tight-knit circle of Mormon moms who power much of the show’s drama.
But when season three rolled around, Whitney walked back onto the set — surprising almost everyone, including fans who had already labeled her the “villain” of the franchise.
As it turns out, her reason for returning wasn’t just about reconnection or closure. The truth slipped out in a candid moment captured on camera, where she admitted to a group of friends: “I just found out if I came back to film, I can audition for Dancing with the Stars.”
That single sentence unraveled the whole mystery.
In her confessional, she doubled down on it — clarifying that she never actually cut ties with MomTok and still considered herself part of the group, despite needing space. But the chance to land a spot on DWTS? That changed everything. As she put it: “After last season, I did decide to step away from the show, but I never quit MomTok. I was always in MomTok, still a part of that group. I just really needed a break, but then I heard from my team Dancing with the Stars was going to cast someone from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and that’s a motivator. I’ll come back for that.”
Rumors, Demands, and the Road to Dancing with the Stars
Of course, a return that sudden comes with speculation. Fans floated rumors that Whitney issued a list of demands to production — ranging from Oscars tickets (which she denied) to a role on a scripted series (which she openly acknowledged requesting). Her comeback wasn’t quiet, and neither was the chatter surrounding it.
But whatever expectations, negotiations, and backstage whispers existed, Whitney ultimately got what she came for.
After SLOMW stars met with longtime DWTS casting director and co-executive producer Deena Katz, the news finally dropped: both Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt had secured spots in Season 34 of the ABC competition show.
As the pre-season buzz intensified, Good Morning America revealed the pairings. Affleck landed a partnership with Jan Ravnik — the Taylor Swift Eras Tour dancer making his DWTS professional debut.
Whitney, meanwhile, got matched with celebrated three-time Mirrorball champion Mark Ballas, who had been off the show for two seasons before returning.
A Controversial Fan Favorite: Whitney and Mark Take the Leaderboard
From that point on, Whitney and Ballas became one of the season’s most talked-about duos. They consistently hovered near — or directly at — the top of the judges’ leaderboard.
But strong scores came with strong opinions. Viewers pointed out her extensive background: she earned a dance degree from Brigham Young University and had even competed against DWTS pro Witney Carson when they were younger dancers at rival studios.
Questions about fairness and favoritism quickly flooded social media, especially among those convinced the judges were rooting for Ballas to reclaim another Mirrorball.
Still, regardless of the noise, Whitney kept delivering.
As of this week, she and Ballas are pushing into the semifinals, where they’ll perform two routines set to Prince classics — a high-stakes moment for a contestant who once left reality TV behind, only to return for the possibility of dancing under far brighter lights.
For anyone following along, new episodes of Dancing with the Stars air Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming on Hulu. And for viewers wanting to trace Whitney’s full arc, season three of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is now streaming on Disney+ and Hulu as well.
Be sure to catch up on everything happening with Secret Lives of Mormon Wives now. Come back here often for all Secret Lives of Mormon Wives spoilers, news, and updates.