Ryan Wach is sharing details about his son Zane Wach’s health journey.
After the 14-year-old walked off a 120-foot trail ledge at California’s Mount Whitney while seemingly experiencing altitude...Zac Affleck was arguably the most controversial member of DadTok when The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives premiered on Hulu — so how did he end up winning fans over in season 2?
When The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives debuted in September 2024, viewers met a group of Mormon mom influencers in Utah, including Jen Affleck and her husband, Zac.
Zac and Jen’s familiar last name made them the immediate standouts (even though it still remains unclear whether there is actually any relation to Ben and Casey Affleck). As the season continued to play out, the couple offered a glimpse at a traditional Mormon marriage, which certainly came with challenges.
In what is now considered Chippendalegate, Jen’s plans to enjoy a night out in Las Vegas fell apart when Zac threatened to end their relationship over her decision to go to a Chippendales performance. The rest of the season called into question how Jen was being treated in her marriage overall, only for her to decide to leave MomTok in favor of a move to New York with Zac.
Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' Jen and Zac Affleck's Relationship Timeline
“It had a lot to do with just me and just figuring out everything. There are so many factors — not just our relationship — like religion, friendships and my children,” she exclusively told Us Weekly in September 2024. “In order to make the right decision for me and my family, I really had to take a step back and ask myself, ‘How am I going to move forward and what’s best for us?’ You’ll just have to wait for season 2 to see what happens.”
While Jen initially claimed filming the show improved her marriage, she later confirmed that the pair went through a separation. Jen and Zac, who shared two kids when Mormon Wives premiered, got back together in season 2 — not long before she found out she was pregnant with baby No. 3.
“[We went through] lots of therapy. When I say lots of therapy, I mean eight hours a week. We really went all at it,” Jen told Us in May 2025 about ketamine therapy. “It was definitely a game changer. Definitely life changing — and I never thought I would try ketamine. But when you’re looking for anything to help you try anything.”
Jen added: “We wouldn’t have been able to get through season 2 — honestly season 1 or season 2 — without therapy. And filming definitely isn’t a comfortable thing for Zac. I think it’s definitely harder for him to be vulnerable. So that was him really trying to break through that during season 2. Even though there’s a lot of tough conversations we need to have on and off camera, it was all helpful in the end.”
Season 2 captured Jen and Zac’s attempts to save their marriage but it was his behavior that made viewers suddenly root for the Afflecks. Zac’s TikTok videos and offscreen comments also helped redeem him after he originally faced major backlash online.
“We were so vulnerable and we shared everything about our religion and our life and our marriage,” Zac said on “The Viall Files” podcast in May 2025.. “I honestly think we went a little bit naive into the show — just not really knowing what to expect or what reality TV even is.”
Keep scrolling for a breakdown of every Zac era that helped pave the way for his redemption arc:
‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Then vs. Now: How Cast Looked Pre-Hulu Show
When season 1 debuted in September 2024, Jen claimed on the show that Zac’s dad, David Affleck, is second cousins with the famous actors.
Several of Jen’s costars — and the audience — questioned the validity of that statement. Once Zac finally broke his silence on the claims, he addressed it with a sense of humor.
“It’s never been something serious,” he explained in a May 2025 episode of Mormon Wives. “And so, when Jen started telling people that, I did tell her, ‘I don’t think you should say that anymore. I think that’s probably gonna backfire.'”
Jen stood her ground and told Zac he was “not going to make” her “feel stupid.” While Zac wouldn’t budge on the matter, he did have fun with his response, adding, “You’re not. Or maybe you are.”
One month later, Zac took to his Instagram Story, to share a post from a Hulu viewer about Ben’s interest in playing blackjack, with the caption, “I wonder if Jen and Zac know abt this. secret lives of mormon wives bouta get real crazy.”
In response, Zac, whose passion for gambling has become a story line on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, replied, “Uncle Ben is a legend.”
While the Chippendales drama made viewers cringe, Jen expressed her gratitude for the show because it allowed the couple to work on their issues.
“I definitely think it was the best thing to happen to our relationship. While watching the show, a lot of people are going to think that maybe this would break our relationship apart. But if anything, it did the opposite,” she shared with Us in September 2024. “Being on camera and having those moments happen made us take a step back and actually look at a relationship and make us just see what we have to change.”
Jen said she was proud of the progress she and Zac made off screen, adding, “Ever since we finished filming, we’ve been doing nonstop therapy and it’s been great. So if anything, [watching the show] is just going to be exposure therapy at this point.”
After Zac received so much backlash that he had to lock his social media accounts until season 2 premiered, he showed Jen and fans a new side of him when he promised to prioritize her. (He also started to bond with Demi and Jessi after they had multiple hour-long phone conversations.)
“I reached out to my dean and put in my application to leave medical school. My feelings toward MomTok haven’t completely changed but I feel like a lot of our marriage I made about me and what I want to do,” he told Jen in a May 2025 episode. “I don’t know what I am going to do with my life, to be honest. I am here to support you and support your career.”
As Zac and Jen fought for their marriage, she found out she was pregnant with their third baby. Zac supported Jen as she dealt with depression and suicidal ideation that led to her checking into a wellness center.
“Spent 11 days away from my loved ones, focusing on healing and working through my trauma,” she wrote via her Instagram Story in March 2025 before the second season premiered on Hulu. “It was definitely one of the most challenging and impactful experiences I’ve ever had . Not the pregnancy journey I expected, but definitely what baby and I needed.”
Jen elaborated on the “moments of processing, learning, pain and healing” at the retreat, which included counseling sessions, yoga classes, spending time with horses and painting.
“It’s not every day you have the chance to be surrounded by professionals and mentors who dedicate their time to support you,” she continued. “I am truly grateful for everyone who made this possible.”
'Mormon Wives’ Couples Status Check: Who Is Still Together? Who Broke Up?
Part of Zac’s public rehabilitation was showing his sense of humor — and what better way than on TikTok? One of Zac’s greatest hits was a collaboration with Whitney Leavitt’s husband, Conner Leavitt, where they poked fun at the rumors that they were secretly gay.
“When the lavender marriage rumors finally get to you but you have each others backs,” Zac captioned a TikTok in June 2025 which featured a transition that showed Conner with his legs around Zac’s shoulders.
Zac noted that the video was a way to “welcome” Conner to DadTok. Conner replied to the video, writing, “Always hear [sic] for you bro. Day or night.” In response to a fan joking that the video was “giving double lavender marriage,” Zac noted, “Yeah that was the joke lol.”
It feels safe to say that Zac didn’t cement his place on the show until the Mormon Wives reunion. After coming to his wife’s defense amid her feud with Demi Engemann, Zac came prepared with receipts: a conversation of Demi appearing to give him and Jen talking points.
“When we were in contract negotiations for season 2, Demi called Jen on the phone and was on speaker. I was sitting there and Demi said the craziest things about Jessi — who was her best friend — that she had no respect for her, that she was disgusting and that she wanted nothing to do with her,” Zac claimed during the Hulu special. “This was her best friend. I turned around and I said, ‘She is talking about Jessi that way. How do you think she’s talking about you?’”
The conversation between Zac, Jen, Demi and her husband, Bret Engemann, continued when cameras weren’t around.
“We get in the car, and we are driving home when Bret and Demi call us on the phone. Brett had said, ‘Hey, we really need to figure out [Demi’s] whole victim [narrative].’ Because he didn’t like that she said [she was] a victim because I think he was afraid that she was gonna claim victim and it was gonna be clear to the whole audience that she was not a victim,” Zac noted. “As he started saying that, I’m like, ‘I’m gonna press record,’ because I had heard what she had said about Jessi and I’m like, ‘To cover our own backs, we’re just gonna get the receipt on this.’”
Other Zac highlights from the reunion include him having to explain to Jen the sexual implication behind the clam emoji while she told him what “the big O” meant.
Nobody does athleisure like Gisele Bündchen. When she’s not posing beachside or strutting down the red carpet, she’s stunning in a Pilates mom getup, one that includes leggings, a tank top and these trendy sneakers that A-listers (and Amazon shoppers!) can’t stop buying.
These bestselling On Cloud 5 Running Sneakers are as comfy as it gets, featuring a cushioned footbed, lightweight build and breathable exterior that’s loved by runners and walkers alike. It’s no wonder the sneakers have thousands of positive ratings from shoppers. It’s so good, one person said, “These are the best walking shoes I’ve ever owned.” And you can get them at a discount ahead of the Fourth of July weekend.
Designed with comfort in mind, the shoes soften each step, prevent fatigue and help you get a strong running start. The lightweight foam outsole adapts to your running style, absorbing the impact as you run while making steps feel pillowy plush. Plus, the molded heel design secures your foot for added power and stability.
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Meghan Markle's $658 Weekender Tote Look Is Marked Down to $36
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The couple—who got married in...As Kristen Doute’s focus has shifted to motherhood, her past issues with some — not all — of her former Vanderpump Rules have been hashed out.
During Us Weekly’s cover story, Kristen, 42, revealed which costars — past and present — have supported her since her and fiancé Luke Broderick welcomed their daughter, Kaia.
“Nia [Booko] has helped me through my fertility journey and through my entire pregnancy. We’re sending voice memos to each other every single day. She’s literally in the same exact position I’m in right now but she’s just done this before,” Kristen shared. “Her and Danny [Booko] are just both right there to give us any advice that we need and they’re always on call.”
Kristen is grateful for Nia, 35, and Danny’s support as they prepare to welcome their fourth child.
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“We have a group text with Nia, Danny, Luke and me, and even if I’m texting Nia one-on-one, she’ll reel it back to the four of us and she’s like, ‘Daniel really wants to be involved,’” she added. “It’s just really great to have the two of them.”
It doesn’t stop there — The Valley’s Jesse Lally, Brittany Cartwright and Zack Wickham have also shown up for Kristen and Luke, 34.
“[Jesse has] given a lot of really amazing advice as a girl dad to Luke and just constantly checking in on us and seeing if we need anything. Jesse’s been fantastic,” Kristen shared with Us. “We were in our pediatrician’s office and Brittany is our emergency contact in California. I told her that actually. I was like, ‘So I didn’t ask you ahead of time, but you’re Kaia’s emergency contact.’ She loves it.”
Kristen continued: “[Brittany’s] been over a couple of times, but she’s so excited about it. She knew the gender of our baby before we did, so it only makes perfect sense. She lives right down the street from us. I’m over there all the time.”
The same can’t be said for Brittany’s estranged husband and Kristen’s costar, Jax Taylor. “I wouldn’t let Jax babysit Luke’s gecko — who requires no work whatsoever,” she joked. “Absolutely not. I wouldn’t let Jax babysit my Yeti. Like, no.”
When asked whether Kristen heard from her former employer Lisa Vanderpump, she quipped, “What do you think? No and it will undeniably stay that way.” At the same time, Kristen has been pleasantly surprised how this next chapter of her life has allowed her to move on from past feuds with people like Lala Kent.
“Strangely enough with Lala, it has been kind of public that we made up in a way. She landed a really gracious apology, which I appreciate. We have not talked everything through yet. We definitely still have some things to do,” Kristen noted to Us about the mom of two. “But she’s been very understanding that I’m not ready for that yet. I was pregnant but she’s been really helpful. She lent me a night nurse. She’s talked me through things and she’s been someone that’s been really great to text.”
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Kristen has also remained in contact with Ariana Madix over text as she continues to host season 7 of Peacock’s Love Island USA in Fiji. Weeks into being a mother, Kristen is prioritizing her peace and her loved ones as she and Luke adjust to being a family of three.
According to Kristen, Bravo viewers will get a glimpse into this era of her life when cameras pick back up for season 3 of The Valley.
“It’s going to be the best video yearbook ever for us to film season 3. The production company and network are so respectful of us being new parents and what that means,” she teased. “I’ve talked to [VPR costar] Scheana [Shay] about when she filmed with Summer, same with MJ [Javid] from Shahs [of Sunset]: she filmed with her son when he was days old. So I’ve had these conversations [of] what that was like and if it was hard on their bodies, their minds, their emotions and everyone’s been like, ‘You know what, you kind of don’t even think about it.’”
Kristen is also thankful for the second chance to document her life after being a main cast member on VPR before her exit in 2020.
“I’m very humbled that the viewers say they love this new era. The past hasn’t been so cute. I started TV when I was in my late 20s, but I did a lot of questionable things in my 30s as well,” she noted. “I’m stoked that they’ve given me this opportunity to show who I am now.”
For more on Kristen’s motherhood journey, watch the exclusive video above and pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly — on newsstands now.
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Co-stars and family members are paying their respects to the ‘Reservoir Dogs’ star, who has died aged 67
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