Which Mormon Wives Offered Advice to OC Star Avery Woods?
Avery Woods is gearing up for her reality TV debut on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Orange County, and thanks to her connections with the original Mormon Wives, she’s feeling right at home.
“I’m friends with many of the girls from the original series; for example, Mayci [Neeley] has been incredibly supportive,” Avery, 31, shared exclusively with Us Weekly this month while promoting her collaboration with Olive & June.
Avery, a nurse-turned-influencer, mentioned that Mayci’s sister, McCall Dapron, is part of the OC spinoff, so they had a lot of discussions prior to filming.
“I also chatted frequently with Layla [Taylor], and they all emphasized the same piece of advice: ‘Just be true to yourself,’” Avery told Us, reflecting on the guidance from the Hulu stars.
Avery, a mother of two, noted that both Mayci and Layla, 25, understand the challenges of filming a reality show, having starred in The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives in Utah since 2024.
“It can be quite daunting when you’re surrounded by eight cameras and mic’d up; it’s definitely not a natural experience,” Avery reflected.
The newly minted television personality shared that she adapted quickly by embracing her individuality.
“I’ve realized that whether I’m online or on the show, pretending to be someone I’m not is much harder,” Avery explained. “It’s easier to be honest and authentic, and I see this as a fantastic chance for people to witness our interactions as friends, parents, and partners.”
With the new cast based in Orange County and Los Angeles, Avery hopes the show will “humanize” the women, many of whom have been public figures on social media as young mothers for quite some time.
“The advice from the girls has been clear: ‘Be true to who you are, be authentic, let your walls down, and everything will fall into place,’” Avery noted about the insights from the Mormon Wives. “I’ve come to trust that.”
While Avery said that her husband, David Christopher Woods, is “always my biggest supporter” and her “safe haven,” she regards Layla as her main pillar of support from the original cast.
“I have formed friendships with many of the original cast members,” Avery revealed. “Layla is someone I know I can lean on; I can send her a voice memo to vent, and she always provides great advice.”
When discussing her own cast, Avery highlighted her close bonds with Aspyn Ovard, Salomé “Sal” Andrea, and Bobbi Althoff.
“It’s wonderful to have people you are genuinely close to while filming a reality show, as it eliminates any need for fake relationships,” she said. “We all share similar experiences in our careers, parenting, and the chaos of life, making this journey all the more enjoyable.”
As fans anticipate the premiere of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Orange County in 2026, they can explore Avery’s new curated collection of 12 press-on nail styles from Olive & June, designed to effortlessly integrate into her daily life as a mom and businesswoman.
“I truly loved this project,” Avery shared with Us. “As a nurse, I couldn’t justify spending $150 on manicures, and many in my audience — nurses, teachers, stay-at-home moms — face similar challenges.”
She remarked that collaborating with Olive & June on an affordable nail collection designed to last two to three weeks for just $10 has been a “game changer” and a perfect fit.
