Secret Lives of Mormon Wives stars have been selected as contestants for the new YouTube reality competition show, Unwell Winter Games.
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The show, premiering on Alex Cooper’s Unwell YouTube channel on April 6, will feature 16 “polarizing” reality TV stars and digital influencers. It takes place at a “luxury chalet” in Park City, Utah.
In the Unwell Winter Games, contestants will compete in a series of “mental and physical challenges over four days.”
Among those competing are Mormon Wives stars Dakota Mortensen and Demi Engemann. Other competitors are Dancing With the Stars’ Gleb Savchenko, WWE’s Saraya Bevis, and former The Bachelor contestant Serena Pitt.
“The show promises fierce competition, unexpected alliances, and the kind of unfiltered drama that has defined Unwell across its programming slate,” Cooper’s company shared in a statement.
The Unwell Winter Games is premiering during a production pause of Mormon Wives‘ fifth season. The show was put on hold after news broke about Mortensen’s latest physical altercation with his ex, Taylor Frankie Paul.
Weeks after the altercation, TMZ posted the video of Mortensen and Paul’s 2023 altercation, which resulted in Paul being arrested for domestic violence.
Hours after the video was posted, ABC announced it was shelving Paul’s season of The Bachelorette, which was set to premiere a few days later. Mortensen has since filed a protective order against Paul, and a hearing has been set for April 7.
Mortensen Admits His Past Mistakes While Participating in the ‘Unwell Winter Games’
In a new trailer for the Unwell Winter Games, Mortensen admitted to his past mistakes.
“I’ve made some bad choices in my past,” the Mormon Wives castmate said while chatting with Sachenko.
The Dancing With the Stars pro responded by declaring, “Bad guy,” then pointed at himself and said the same thing. Mortesen nodded in response.
However, not everyone is thrilled that Mortensen is part of the Unwell Winter Games cast.
Critics quickly took to social media to call out the casting.
“The fact that Dakota is getting screen time for a small part in a show like this and Taylor is not getting her time to shine on Bachelorette is actually DIABOLICAL,” one critic wrote.
Another critic stated, “Personally, I think if ABC pulled the Bachelorette for domestic abuse Dakota shouldn’t be allowed to be on a platform either. We’ve watched his toxic cycle on television multiple times. It’s a shame networks feed on people who aren’t mentally well. I think until this mess truly becomes resolved Dakota 1000% shouldn’t be elevated.”
Others slammed Cooper for the decision.
“Alex, girl, I love you and I always defend you.. but Dakota,” a fan of Cooper’s said. “I understand this was filmed already but you gotta do something here. He hit her, she was the only one charged, and he still gets to live his life with no consequences? That doesn’t align with your platform.”