There’s a Reason You Can’t Tell the ‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Cast Apart

Does Hulu's Secret Lives on Mormon Wives have you squinting at the TV, struggling to tell Jessi Ngatikaura and Demi Engemann apart with their identical, long, sleek waves and indistinguishable wide, thick lashes? Even diehard fans of the show admit to frequently mixing up the cast. And viewers regularly post about getting castmates confused. "Anyone else watch 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' but can't keep up bc they all look exactly alike??" wrote one fan on Facebook.

It's been a hot topic since season 1 and, according to some, this isn't a simple case of women on reality TV wanting to be conventionally attractive. It's the dogged pursuit of what many call the "Utah look."

"Utah has insanely high standards for girls," says fitness TikToker eharmany95. "Everybody is competing with the girl next to them to be just as perfect, just as tan, just as fit." Or take it from Vanna Einerson, a 21-year-old Salt Lake City native on the most recent season of Love Island, whose filler and breast implants were a source of judgment and fascination online. "There's a Utah girl stereotype," she told castmate Ace Greene. "All the girls are, like, tan, blonde."

"I have never felt uglier than I did living in Utah," says TikToker @avemarin in a video explaining Vanna's look. "It's not just being white and thin that is desired here, but what has been praised the most is extremely tiny bodies, blonde hair, blue eyes, big lips, immediate boob job—like right out of high school—and a very symmetrical face. Hence the filler and lip injections."

If you have trouble viewing this email, view it in a browser.  SHOP FOLLOW SUBSCRIBE There's a Reason You Can't Tell the 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' Cast Apart Does Hulu's Secret Lives on Mormon Wives have you squinting at the TV, struggling to tell Jessi Ngatikaura and Demi Engemann apart with their identical, long, sleek waves and indistinguishable wide, thick lashes? Even diehard fans of the show admit to frequently mixing up the cast. And viewers regularly post about getting castmates confused. "Anyone else watch 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' but can't keep up bc they all look exactly alike??" wrote one fan on Facebook. It's been a hot topic since season 1 and, according to some, this isn't a simple case of women on reality TV wanting to be conventionally attractive. It's the dogged pursuit of what many call the "Utah look." "Utah has insanely high standards for girls," says fitness TikToker eharmany95. "Everybody is competing with the girl next to them to be just as perfect, just as tan, just as fit." Or take it from Vanna Einerson, a 21-year-old Salt Lake City native on the most recent season of Love Island, whose filler and breast implants were a source of judgment and fascination online. "There's a Utah girl stereotype," she told castmate Ace Greene. "All the girls are, like, tan, blonde." "I have never felt uglier than I did living in Utah," says TikToker @avemarin in a video explaining Vanna's look. "It's not just being white and thin that is desired here, but what has been praised the most is extremely tiny bodies, blonde hair, blue eyes, big lips, immediate boob job—like right out of high school—and a very symmetrical face. Hence the filler and lip injections." READ MORE Revisiting All the 'Love Island USA' Couples Who Are Still Together Now That Chelly and Ace Have Split Remain calm: Nicolandria is still going strong. READ MORE How to Style Your Bob Haircut in Winter: 4 Styling Tips From a Beauty Editor According to an NYC beauty editor with a bob. READ MORE T-Swift's Pearl Phone Case From Her Eras Tour Doc? Yeah, I Found It on Amazon Oh, don't mind me, just in my iridescent era. READ MORE Can't Focus on Anything but the Fact That 'Heated Rivalry' Has Been Renewed for Season 2 Need it like I need air. READ MORE Exclusive: Boy Throb Wants to Be the World's Biggest Boy Band (And No, They Aren't Joking) The group's content—and mission to get one member's visa application approved—has captured the internet's attention. So, ahead of the release of their debut original single, we sat down with Boy Throb to chat about their influences, allegations that they're satire, and Darshan's journey to the States. READ MORE Follow Us Unsubscribe | Manage Preferences | Privacy Notice | CA Notice at Collection Cosmopolitan is a publication of Hearst Magazines. ©2025 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This email was sent by Hearst Magazines, 300 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019-3779