If you’ve been keeping up with Dancing With the Stars this season or following Whitney Leavitt’s journey on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, you probably felt the tension building. And honestly? So did they.

Just days before the live DWTS semifinals, Season 3 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives dropped — stirring up chatter, drama, and a whole lot of speculation about Whitney Leavitt’s motivations. And now, after their Week 10 elimination, both Mark Ballas and Whitney are opening up about what they were really feeling behind the scenes.

Let’s break it down in a simple, human way — without the drama overload.

Quick Highlights

• Mark Ballas and Whitney Leavitt admitted they had “gut feelings” about their DWTS semifinals elimination.
• Leavitt faced criticism for returning to SLOMW largely for a possible spot on Dancing With the Stars.
• Despite everything, both stars expressed gratitude, pride, and love for their DWTS journey.

Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas Felt Their DWTS Fate Coming

When Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas stepped off the floor during the semifinals, many fans were shocked — but according to them, they weren’t.

In their post-show interview with Good Morning America, Whitney opened up in a way that felt refreshingly honest.
She said:

“I didn’t even think I’d make it this far.”

And honestly? You could tell she meant it.

Mark, who’s always been her biggest cheerleader, laughed about how every week Whitney would say, “We’re gonna make it,” but admitted they both had those intuitive “gut feelings” things might end here.

As someone who’s watched DWTS for years, I can tell you — contestants always know more than they say. And Whitney Leavitt? She’s a lot more self-aware than the internet gives her credit for.

Still, Mark made it clear he was proud of their performances, especially their high-energy Prince Night Cha Cha and their emotional Viennese Waltz.

He summed it up beautifully:

“Yes, it sucks to fall at the last hurdle, but the finale is stacked… I made a friend for life. It’s not the end.”

That right there is why people love Mark Ballas — he knows how to celebrate the moment, even when it stings.

The ‘Mormon Wives’ Question That Put Whitney Leavitt on the Spot

Now let’s talk about the moment everyone was waiting for — the live question that stirred the pot.

During the episode, host Julianne Hough asked Whitney directly about her comments on returning to The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives just to get a chance at joining DWTS.

And to her credit? Whitney handled it with grace.

She explained that after two seasons on SLOMW, she really did want a break — but when she learned the show could open the door to DWTS, she felt the opportunity was too meaningful to pass up.

She said:

“This changed my life and I couldn’t be more grateful.”

No excuses. No deflecting. Just honesty.

As a content creator and someone who’s worked with influencers myself, I can tell you:
Most people would have panicked under that spotlight.
Whitney Leavitt didn’t. And that’s worth acknowledging.

Why Fans Criticized Whitney Leavitt’s Decision to Return to ‘SLOMW’

Season 3 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives was released on November 13, and Whitney didn’t appear until Episode 5. When she finally showed up, she explained she returned because:

“I just found out if I came back to film, I can audition for Dancing With the Stars.”

That clip went viral instantly.

Some viewers felt she only came back for personal gain. Others understood where she was coming from — because opportunities like DWTS don’t come around every day, especially for creators in smaller influencer circles.

Whitney clarified that she never truly quit MomTok, the Utah-based TikTok friend group behind the show. She simply needed a break, and when she heard DWTS was casting from the series, she decided it was worth returning.

And honestly? If you or I were given that chance, we’d probably make the same choice.

Jennifer Affleck & Whitney Leavitt Both Earned Their Spots

In the end, both Whitney Leavitt and her SLOMW co-star Jennifer Affleck were chosen for DWTS.
Jennifer left in Week 7, while Whitney made it all the way to the semifinals.

For someone who almost didn’t return to TV at all — that’s impressive.

Final Thoughts: Whitney Leavitt’s Journey Was Far From a Failure

Whether you love or question her decisions, Whitney Leavitt showed up every week on DWTS with heart, improvement, and humility.

She handled the criticism, the spotlight, the pressure, and the internet noise — and still made it to the top of the competition.

And if you’re someone chasing your own dream right now?
Let Whitney’s story be a reminder:

✨ Sometimes you follow your gut, take the opportunity, and figure it out as you go.
✨ Sometimes you get judged for it.
✨ And sometimes? You grow anyway.

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