Pickleball in The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: The Hulu reality show The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives features several scenes of the cast playing pickleball in both seasons. In Season 1 and Season 2, the women play the sport during key moments of the show, linking their drama-filled lives to the growing popularity of pickleball in Provo, Utah.
The show stars a group of mothers who first gained fame on TikTok as “MomTok.” Known for their unique and sometimes controversial lifestyles, the women later opened their lives to cameras. The show mixes reality TV drama with glimpses into their everyday activities, including pickleball.
Pickleball in Provo and Las Vegas
All the women live in Provo, Utah, a popular place for pickleball. Professional players like Callie Smith, Allyce Jones, Tyler Loong, and Alli Phillips also reside there. So it’s no surprise that the show included the sport.
In Season 1, Episode 7, titled “The Book of Trust,” the cast takes a trip to Las Vegas and stays at a house with a backyard pickleball court. Mikayla Bell says she’s a ping pong champion, and she teams up with Mayci Tilley against Layla Carder and Demi Vawdrey.
It was very windy that day, and the women blamed the wind for some of their bad shots. Mikayla Bell showed her competitive side by hitting the ball at Layla Carder with extra force.
Layla Carder and Demi Vawdrey wore matching tennis skirts but were clearly new to the game. Layla Carder even used an overhead serve, which is not allowed in pickleball.
Mikayla Bell and Mayci Tilley wore more casual clothes, like leggings and sweatshirts, and had to explain the rules to the others.
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Mayci Tilley Hosts Celebrity Pickleball Event
By Season 2, Mayci Tilley seems to have become the most active pickleball player in the group. In Episode 6, titled “The Book of Redemption,” she hosts a celebrity pickleball event at the Arizona Athletic Grounds, where the 2025 Carvana Mesa Cup is held every year.
Mayci Tilley wears a red sweatsuit and is joined by her friends Taylor Paul, Miranda McWhorter, Whitney Johnson, Layla Carder, Demi Vawdrey, Jessi Kate Riley, and Mikayla Bell.
“It’s so cool to see this full circle moment because she was a BYU tennis athlete and now she’s hosting this event. She’s really in her element. Being a star athlete, then turning that into hosting an event like this is so exciting and inspiring.” – (Jessi Kate Riley)
After the event, the group went to dinner, where a big fight broke out. But for a short time, the women seemed to enjoy playing pickleball and supporting Mayci Tilley.
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Why Pickleball Matters in the Show
Pickleball is used as a way for the cast members to spend time together, show off their personalities, and even let out some tension. As the sport grows in Provo and across the U.S., its presence in the show helps connect the characters’ lives with a real-world trend.
Fans might enjoy seeing more pickleball matches in future episodes. Viewers have even suggested possible matchups like Mikayla Bell and Mayci Tilley vs. Whitney Johnson and Taylor Paul, or Jessi Kate Riley against Demi Vawdrey. With the drama these women bring, a game of pickleball might be the perfect setting for the next big moment.
News in Brief: Pickleball in The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives shows the cast playing pickleball in both seasons. In Season 1, the women play during a Vegas trip. In Season 2, Mayci Tilley hosts a celebrity event at the Arizona Athletic Grounds. The show highlights how pickleball fits into the cast’s lives and growing trends.