Whitney Leavitt: From #MomTok to Broadway's Roxie Hart
Whitney Leavitt, known for her role in the Hulu reality series "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," has made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in "Chicago." This debut marks a long-term aspiration for Leavitt, who previously pursued fine arts with a dance concentration in college.
After graduating from Brigham Young University and becoming a homemaker, Leavitt began creating content on TikTok in 2019. This evolved into a collaboration with other "Mormon moms" known as #MomTok.
The #MomTok group's social media presence ultimately led to the creation of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives." Leavitt was initially portrayed as a "villain" during Season 1, leading to online criticism and death threats.
Leavitt acknowledged her naivety regarding reality television production and editing, understanding the complexities involved.
Navigating Reality TV and Artistic Aspirations
Following Season 2, Leavitt temporarily departed "Mormon Wives" due to emotional costs after seeking a role in a scripted series and being declined. She relocated her family to Southern Utah during this period.
She later rejoined the series after producers indicated an opportunity to audition for "Dancing With the Stars," an opportunity aligning perfectly with her artistic goals. Leavitt approached her return to "Mormon Wives" with a revised attitude, prioritizing her career aspirations and addressing drama directly.
Leavitt was successfully cast in "Dancing With the Stars" and subsequently secured a role in the Christmas film "All for Love." Shortly after, she received an invitation to audition for "Chicago," a dream role she had previously discussed. She underwent vocal training and performed a covert dance audition during her "Dancing With the Stars" run to prepare.
Broadway Debut and Future Horizons
After her elimination from "Dancing With the Stars" in November, Leavitt auditioned for "Chicago" in New York and received the coveted role of Roxie Hart. Her demanding schedule included filming "All for Love" concurrently with moving her family to New York for "Chicago" rehearsals.
Camera crews are documenting her "Chicago" experience for Season 5 of "Mormon Wives," which has posed significant scheduling challenges.
Leavitt is currently evaluating her future participation in "Mormon Wives," citing the extensive time demands of both projects and her strong desire to focus on theatrical and film roles.
She expressed that she would maintain friendships with her castmates even if she were to depart the show.
Personal Growth and Public Platform
Leavitt is also reflecting on her Mormon faith, having begun to question aspects of it in her 30s, and aims to raise her children to think for themselves while still valuing core traditions.
Additionally, she is considering how to effectively use her public platform to address social issues, expressing a desire to do more than simply post on social media.
Leavitt relates deeply to Roxie Hart's ambition and ability to navigate challenging circumstances to advance her career, drawing parallels to her own journey.