Reality television star Layla Taylor has opened up about her long-standing battle with an eating disorder during the current season of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.” At just 25 years old, Taylor revealed that she weighs only 99 pounds at a height of 5’10”, attributing this to her struggles with body image and an addiction to GLP-1 medications.
In a candid moment during the show’s fourth season, Taylor shared that she has been grappling with an eating disorder since high school. “I just feel like, I don’t think I’ll ever be small enough in my head,” she reflected. Her admission highlights the physical toll of her condition, stating, “I’m so exhausted all the time because I don’t eat. My body hurts every night when I go to bed.”
Taylor disclosed that her use of GLP-1s—medications often prescribed for diabetes but increasingly used for weight loss—began about a year ago. Initially seeking to shed stubborn weight, she explained that the addictive nature of these medications is often overlooked. “People don’t talk about how addictive this is and how hard it is to get off,” she said. “It’s just this never-ending thing that’s so negative.”
The pressures of beauty standards in Utah have compounded her challenges. “It’s a very negative part of the Utah culture,” Taylor stated. “I can’t even count on both hands how many people I know abuse GLP-1s, like myself, and it’s a real problem.”
The emotional impact of her struggles became evident after Taylor faced rejection from a prominent modeling agency. “Getting rejected by a modeling agency means there’s something wrong with me,” she confided to friends on the show. This prompted a deeper reflection on her self-worth, with comments about her appearance further fueling her insecurities.
“I feel like for a long time there, people calling me ill or saying that I look sick or too thin—it was almost a dopamine rush for me,” she explained. In the past, these compliments validated her efforts to maintain her appearance, but the relentless online commentary has begun to take its toll. “Now I can’t even post a simple ad to make money to support my family without there being a bunch of comments on it.”
Taylor has previously addressed her weight and body image issues on the show, particularly after co-stars expressed concern. “I’ve been skinny my whole life,” she noted, downplaying the worries of her friends. When asked about body dysmorphia, she admitted, “Oh, 100%.”
The complexities of her situation reflect a broader issue in the entertainment industry, where unrealistic beauty standards can have dire consequences for mental health. Taylor’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of addressing mental health and body image concerns, particularly among young women navigating the pressures of social media and public scrutiny.
As her journey unfolds on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” Taylor’s candid revelations may foster greater awareness and understanding of eating disorders, especially within communities where such discussions are often stigmatized.
